Korean Hot Pot at Taoyuan – A Tofu & Seafood Ramen Hot Pot for Just Around 300 NTD!

Text and photos byLittle Dot Paine

When I traveled to Korea by myself, I often opted for Korean tofu hot pot if I was dining solo. First, because it’s a hot meal, and second, because tofu hot pot is relatively low in calories and good for you—so I’d often have a whole pot of tofu hot pot as a full meal. At Uncle Ma’s in Zhongli, Taoyuan, they specialize in Korean tofu hot pot but replace the usual side of white rice with ramen, turning it into a hearty and generous Korean tofu & seafood ramen hot pot!

Uncle Ma’s is located near the SOGO department store in Zhongli, Taoyuan, and is within walking distance. There are also plenty of motorcycle parking spots and roadside parking spaces nearby.

You can check out the simple menu from outside the shop, which often makes passersby stop and curious about what Uncle Ma’s actually serves.

A special feature is the few informational posters about “clams” posted outside the shop. It turns out that Uncle Ma’s Korean Tofu Seafood Ramen highlights the use of “clams” instead of “clamshells,” emphasizing the nutritional value of clams!

The seating inside Uncle Ma’s Korean Tofu Hot Pot isn’t super abundant, but customers eat fairly quickly, so the table turnover rate is decent. Even during peak hours, a short wait will get you a seat—it’s not too much trouble to dine here.

Utensils and water are self-service here, and there’s no service charge.

Let’s take a look at the detailed menu. The basic prices are all under 200 NTD, and the portions are so generous that even small-eating girls could share a pot between two—but due to consumption policies, when ordering a shared pot, you must also order an additional item (also considering the shop’s space costs). For drinks, Uncle Ma’s offers quite a selection of imported Korean beverages and alcoholic drinks!

Friendly reminder: Don’t drink and drive.

● ETtoday News Cloud reminds you: Don’t drink and drive.

Uncle Ma’s Korean Tofu Seafood Ramen Hot Pot menu features three types of broths: the first is a Korean seafood broth (mildly spicy), one is a curry broth (not spicy), one is a Korean doenjang (miso) broth, and another is...

The most expensive signature Gout-Friendly Tofu & Seafood Ramen Hot Pot, a large pot for 288 NTD, includes angel red shrimp, Penghu squid, tender oysters, fresh abalone, and lots of clams as well. This price is really great value, especially when you see the actual ingredients—it’s a bit surprising. Also, for those who don’t like seafood but prefer meat, you can go for the popular beef or Matsusaka pork options, which are also super generous in portion.

Like other typical Korean restaurants, Uncle Ma’s also imports a variety of Korean alcoholic drinks and beverages. This one, for example, is a peach-flavored sparkling wine that I personally really like—it’s refreshing and endorsed by IU!

Friendly reminder: Don’t drink and drive.

For side dishes, many people order kimchi and edamame. I personally prefer kimchi, and Uncle Ma’s kimchi is really delicious. I highly recommend getting a serving to whet your appetite.

Other popular side dishes include fried chicken, squid fritters, sweetened condensed milk rice cakes, and Korean Golden Fries (basically fries).

My personal favorite is the fries—I was surprised the first time I had them served with yuzu sauce. What a unique combo!

The fried chicken and squid fritters look pretty similar, haha. Both come with pickled radish slices, which are great for cutting through the grease. Personally, I think the squid fritters taste better.

As for dessert, the sweetened condensed milk rice cake—I was too slow and it got eaten up before I could try it (sad face).

I personally ordered the popularBeef Tofu Seafood Ramen,priced at 188 NTD. After finishing this huge pot, I was so full I skipped dinner!!!

This pot comes loaded with ramen, tofu, beef, a boiled egg, and lots of clams at the bottom. To be honest, the portion is really quite substantial for a girl. As for the beef, I personally found it really tasty—the rib meat and connective tissue around the bone are especially delicious. The tofu has more of a packaged tofu texture, not like the soft Korean-style tofu.

As for the highlight of the whole pot, I’d say the broth is key. It’s a Korean-style soup with a slight kick that warms you up nicely, and the flavor is reminiscent of Korean chili paste.

The portion of ramen is super generous, and the texture is nice too—slightly chewy.

Except for the “curry pot,” which doesn’t include clams, all the other ramen pots come with clams.

Angel Red Shrimp Curry Tofu Soup RamenIt comes with two large red angel shrimp that have been butterflied and deveined — very thoughtful. The curry broth is actually drinkable on its own. I really like this broth; it’s fairly rich but not overly heavy, and it pairs perfectly with the ramen. It’s great for those who enjoy bold flavors.

Korean-style miso pork tenderloin tofu ramenThis one has a lighter taste. The crispy pork tenderloin is especially delicious. I think this version is more suitable for older people.

Signature gout-friendly tofu seafood ramen hot potThis hot pot looks indulgent, but for just 288 NT, you get a variety of seafood — a real treat for seafood lovers.

It includes two large red angel shrimp that have been butterflied and deveined, two abalones, several oysters, and one large squid. The portion is very generous. Seafood is also relatively low in calories, making this a great choice for girls who want something light yet hearty during winter.

One advantage of coming in a group is that besides your own ramen hot pot, you can also order some shared dishes — like the golden tuna seaweed rice bowl. In Korea, this is called “fist rice,” where you get to form the rice into little balls yourself.

It may look like a bland-looking rice bowl, but it’s actually not~

At first, I was put off by how plain it looked, but the golden tuna seaweed rice bowl actually surprised me. The addition of Korean sesame oil really enhances the flavor, and the seaweed has a lovely aroma. Though it seems flavorless at first glance, once you take a bite, the rice has a unique savory taste. I personally prefer eating it with Korean kimchi, which makes it even more authentically Korean. I highly recommend trying it this way — it really feels like you’re dining in Korea.

Verdict: Overall, my experience at Uncle Ma’s Korean Tofu Seafood Ramen is that it’s a place where you can eat your fill without spending too much, while still enjoying authentic Korean flavors. The seafood tofu hot pot is perfect for girls looking to maintain a slim figure in winter. Just remember to go easy on the noodles. I personally think it’s definitely worth a try.

Uncle Ma’s Korean Tofu Seafood Ramen

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Phone: 03 427 1578
Business hours: 11:30–14:30, 17:30–0:00
Address: No. 110, Cihui 3rd St., Zhongli District, Taoyuan City

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