Lobster and Shark Fin Abalone | Only 5 Yuan at Yixinju’s Luxurious Seafood Hot Pot | Available Only in Keelung

Reporter Zhu XX, photos by XXX

The sweet and chewy texture of the abalone always keeps people coming back for more, but the savory version also has its charm. It’s a must-try for those who love both sweet and savory flavors. Located in Keelung, this small shop may not be eye-catching from the outside, but the rich aroma wafting from inside is truly enticing. The chewy abalone is paired with premium dried scallops, creating a luxurious taste that many diners highly praise.

%A small shop with a big reputation, often visited by both locals and tourists alike.

“Yixinju’s Lobster Abalone Hot Pot has been around for 10 years, run by husband and wife team Liu Laiyi and Yang Yahuai. However, Yixinju didn’t start out selling hot pots. Liu said, “At first, we only had a small stall because my wife used to sell vegetables. Later, we opened a restaurant, but it didn’t do well because business was slow. People needed takeout options, so we started providing boxed meals for customers. Unexpectedly, they were very popular, and gradually, our boxed meals became famous.”

Yang Yahuai mentioned that after trying various ratios and sources of glutinous rice flour, they ultimately stuck with pure glutinous rice flour due to its high elasticity and firmness even when cooled.The shop offers four types of savory hot pots: lobster, squid, mushroom, and dried scallop. However, which one sells best depends on customer preferences. When making the hot pots, the chefs first stir-fry the glutinous rice flour until it forms a paste, then add regular seasonings. Finally, they pour in a rich seafood broth. The key is not to let the broth boil too much, as that would ruin the flavor. The result is a rich and flavorful hot pot that many diners find unforgettable.

%The secret to the delicious flavor of the hot pots lies in the quality of the ingredients used.

▲ Left: Lobster Hot Pot, Right: Squid Hot Pot

For the shark fin flavor, shark fin soup is mixed with agar powder and allowed to set into a jelly-like consistency before being frozen. It is then cut into strips and wrapped inside the hot pot. The shark fin adds a luxurious touch to the dish. The squid hot pot uses squid ink, which is added during cooking. While squid ink is commonly used in other dishes, here it is used in a unique way, reducing the fishy smell while enhancing the aroma.

%The squid hot pot has a richer umami flavor compared to others.

▲ Left: Thick strip of shark fin jelly (milder flavor), Right: Squid ink hot pot (right) is roasted to reduce fishiness and enhance aroma.

“The idea to make the lobster hot pot came from an unexpected source!” Liu said. At the time, due to the SARS outbreak, lobster sales plummeted, leaving them with a surplus. They decided to steam the lobsters and, coincidentally, there was a request for a cold dish for a banquet. They ended up stuffing the lobster, asparagus, and cilantro into a red bean paste-flavored cold dish. To their surprise, it turned out quite delicious, which inspired the creation of the hot pot.

However, for someone who started out in car repair, learning to make delicate snacks was no easy task for the whole family. It took them two years to perfect the outer layer of the hot pot, experimenting with different ingredients and ratios. Because their children had to go to school, they would come home and help test various versions of the hot pot. Liu recalled, “Back then, every evening after dinner, we would sit around discussing flavors. It took us two years to get it right. Those were tough times, but they were also memorable.”

▲The four seafood hot pots are not sold individually but also come with a variety of other flavorful options, as well as seasonal specials.

In addition to the savory hot pots, there are many other tasty snacks to choose from. The savory hot pots are only 5 yuan,Seafood hot pots are not sold individually or as a mixed flavor combo for 100 yuan. Although many customers have requested a mixed version to enjoy all four flavors at once, the owner insists: “We don’t offer a mixed option. Aside from the different costs of each flavor, the main reason is that each flavor has a distinct taste, and mixing them in one box can compromise the freshness. For example, the lobster hot pot has a delicate flavor that might get overpowered. I hope everyone can enjoy them separately!”

【Yixinju’s Lobster Abalone Hot Pot】
Address: No. 37, Section 1, Huhai Road, Zhongshan District, Keelung City
Phone: (02)24266050
Business Hours: Holidays 11:00-18:00; Weekdays 14:00-19:00