The most authentic Taiwanese hot pot experience – win a lobster every day with “Shi Ba La!”

By Chen Tzu-yin, Taipei

A hot pot restaurant with the word “market” in its name already hints at the lively atmosphere the owners aim to create, but playing “Shi Ba La!” with guests every day adds an unmistakably local Taiwanese touch.

Located in Lane 216 of East District, Qi Min Shi Chang (People’s Market) Hot Pot has an old-wood interior that exudes a nostalgic charm. Diners sit around the chefs, vegetables, and seafood ingredients. Lan Wen-hsiung, a seafood expert, prepares freshly flown-in daily catch for guests. Every night at 8 PM, the shop holds “Fateful Shi Ba La!”—if diners beat the owner, they win a fresh lobster to add to their meal. The vibe here is as bustling and lively as a traditional market.

▲ Solid wood décor and open kitchen allow guests to dine face-to-face with the chefs. (Photo / Reporter Chen Tzu-yin)Poetry and Photography)

▲ Join the owner for a “Shi Ba La!” match every evening at 8 PM for a chance to win a fresh lobster. (Photo / Reporter Chen Tzu-yin)

Beyond the lively atmosphere, the dishes and ingredients are also carefully selected. The vegetables and fruits used as hot pot ingredients are organically grown and meticulously chosen from 319 townships across Taiwan, ensuring peace of mind for diners.

There are seven different soup bases to choose from. Among them, the “Japanese Imperial Hachido Miso Fresh Fish Soup,” dubbed by the head chef as having exceptional cost-performance value, is made with 500-year-tradition Maruyasu red miso used by the Japanese Imperial family, salmon, sweet shrimp, grilled leeks, kelp sprouts, and soft tofu. The combination of seafood and miso creates a rich, sweet umami flavor.

For appetizers, there are also unique options. The “Five-Spice Black Tea Devil Egg” looks like a dessert but has just the right level of saltiness, with an egg yolk that melts in your mouth. Another dish, the “Sichuan Spicy Oil Mouthwatering Chicken,” brings a spicy kick that’s great for whetting the appetite.

▲ The soup base paired with vegetable platters, sliced meat, fish paste, and handmade egg dumplings offer a very satisfying meal. (Photo / Reporter Chen Tzu-yin)

▲ Left: The uniquely shaped Five-Spice Black Tea Devil Egg has a distinctive taste. Right: The Sichuan Spicy Oil Mouthwatering Chicken, with its spicy flavor, stimulates the appetite. (Photo / Reporter Chen Tzu-yin)

▲ Boasting Taiwan-grown organic vegetables, the ingredients are hand-selected from 319 townships. (Photo / Reporter Chen Tzu-yin)

【Qi Min 216 Market】
Address: No. 15, Lane 33, Lane 216, Section 4, Zhongxiao East Road, Taipei City
Phone: 2772-5123
Business Hours: 11:30 AM – 10:00 PM
Pricing: Choose from slow-cooked premium soup bases priced between NT$58–88, the nourishing medicinal lamb hot pot base for NT$228, meat dishes priced between NT$68–288, and fresh seafood dishes between NT$58–148. The restaurant also offers a super-value business lunch set for NT$198.