Even though the south of Taiwan has a tropical monsoon climate and the north is subtropical, winter in Taiwan can still feel mighty cold. And while there is no doubt that winters in Taiwan are short and sweet, a lack of heating in buildings can sometimes make them feel even harder to bear than those the winters of Europe! But luckily Taiwan has a remedy: hot pot. Indeed, as the weather gets colder in Taiwan, the hot pots get hotter.
Ranging from approximately TWD100 to 1000, hot pots in Taiwan come in all sorts of different flavors and styles. But whether you eat it to fight off colds or for pure enjoyment, hot pot in Taiwan is not to miss. Here we have compiled a list of our favorite ten winter-warmers to get you started!
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Old Sichuan: HOT pot
Taipei』s Old Sichuan is one of those places you don』t mind queuing. Renowned for its Chinese style architecture, decorations and dining experience, it is an atmospheric place to eat that attracts tourists and locals alike. One of the few authentic Sichuan restaurants in Taiwan, this is a great place for lovers of spice. But a tip for those who can』t take it hot – don』t boil the ingredients in the hot pot for too long, the longer, the spicier!
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Jiting: Cheap, big and good
Taichung』s Jiting is known for its tasty soup stock, large portions and attractive price. This is a place for the big-stomached, one hot pot can easily be shared among two. All sorts of weird and wonderful flavors are available here. Try the cream cheese pot or kimchi pot if you are feeling brave!
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Yonlin Restaurant: Fresh, quality ingredients
Yonlin Restaurant in Taipei is a safe bet if you are after a unique soup stock flavour, fresh ingredients and a clean environment. The menus here introduce the source of the ingredients, emphasising that local farmers get a fair deal when working with Yonlin Restaurant. As well as hot pot, over forty cooked dishes are available too.
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Tripod King Hot Pot: Hot pot hotspot
Tripod King Hot Pot is the best known spicy hot pot restaurant in Taiwan. Its humble beginnings in a night market are well distant now that it is a large-scale chain enterprise. But famous for a reason, the taste of Tripod King hot pot has not changed throughout the years. Although recently embroiled in a scandal on how the stock is actually made, loyal patrons here don』t really care about the details, just how good it tastes!
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Karuisawa: Japanese Hot Pot
Taichung』s Karuisawa is a Japanese zen style restaurant that serves up a mean hot pot. Its minimalist decorations and lighting gives it an expensive feeling that is not reflected in the price of the food. Indeed, you can have a good feed here for well under the average price normal for a restaurant like this. Of the over thirty different flavors from all different parts of the world to try, the Japanese sukiyaki is especially yummy.
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Tianshuiyue Hot Pot: Sensory Feast
Kaohsiung』s Tianshuiyue Hot Pot does not rank in the top ten hot pot restaurants because of its taste. Instead, it makes the list because of its truly impressive interior design and dining experience. While the outside might not look like much, once you walk into Tianshuiyue, you will be surprised by the huge face of Buddha in the wall in front of you. A long pool runs down the middle of the restaurant, adding to its mysterious atmosphere. And most fun of all- order your meal using an iPad!
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Quan: The Attractive Newcomer
In a market that used to be dominated by the reputations of Old Sichuan and Tripod King, Taipei』s Quan is the new expensive and classy hot pot restaurant on the scene. The hot pots served here are expensive, but worth it, for the fresh ingredients here are presented beautifully, even complementing the Chinese style interior design of the restaurant. Make sure you are not too hungry when you get here, because you』ll want to spend a while photographing your meal before you start eating it!
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Shanbin Restaurant: Alpine Dining
Situated in Alishan, Shanbin Restaurant is the only option if you are looking for inexpensive, good quality food in a relatively tourist-free dining setting. With hot pot as its signature dish, its fragrant soup and fresh seafood and vegetables are a great way of warming up in the cool alpine environment. Take it from us – a visit to Alishan must be accompanied by a visit to Shanbin Restaurant.
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Lin Cong Ming Fish Head Casserole: Warming Casserole
While not technically a hot pot restaurant, Chiayi』s Lin Cong Ming Fish Head Casserole does the job of a hot pot – it is warming, filling and very Taiwanese. The result of eight hours of boiling 5kg Chub fish with pig bones, dried shrimps and a special barbeque sauce, this is a hearty meal that beats most hot pots on both price and size.
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Kaohsiung Oden King:
Kaohsiung Oden King is also not technically hot pot, but it makes the list because it is one of those examples of a place that doesn』t quite fit into rigid categories, but its delicious soup absolutely deserves a taste anyway. This restaurant emphasises fresh ingredients, while the broth is more envisaged as something to boil everything up in. But if you need convincing that it』s worth your custom, you need only see how many people queue up here to know that it is literally food fit for a king!
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Everyone has their favorite hot pot. Did we miss yours? Please let us know, we are always on the look-out for more tasty options to share with visitors to Taiwan.
