Unbookable unless reserved in advance – the 8 must-try insanely popular hot pot spots in Taichung

Travel Centre / Comprehensive Report

Taichung has no shortage of great food – burgers, cafés, hot pot, and yakiniku are all not to be underestimated. Living in Taichung means you’re truly spoiled for choice when it comes to food. ETtoday EBC News Cloud has specially compiled a list of 8 highly popular hot pot restaurants in Taichung. No matter if the weather is cold or hot, these spots remain just as busy, with business booming. And if you want to get a seat at one of these tables, you’d better make a reservation in advance!

▲ Shiyan Studio, with its literary and artistic vibe, is especially loved by younger crowds. (Photo /Daku)

Shiyan Studio

Decorated with a laboratory theme, Shiyan Studio offers both regular hot pot and stone hot pot, with prices ranging from just over 200 NT to over 800 NT. The restaurant aims to create a delicious collision between the four elements of a hot pot meal – “the pot, the broth, the ingredients, and the dipping sauces” – and your taste buds. The overall ambiance is very literary and artsy, which explains why it’s so popular among younger diners. Their signature Mini Shiyan is actually a stone hot pot served with a side plate, beef/pork, and white rice – generous portions with a light, sweet broth that lets the ingredients shine in their natural flavors.

Address: No. 99, Gongzheng Rd., West District, Taichung City (next to Qianmei Greenway)
Phone: 04-23020067
Business hours: 11:30–14:00, 17:30–00:00 (weekdays); 11:30–00:00 (holidays)

▲ Aside from meat, the seafood at Zhujian is also a major highlight. (Photo /Guixiaosun)

Zhujian

Zhujian Gourmet Hot Pot started in Keelung and became a hit all the way to Taichung, with each pot priced starting from just over 200 NT. It’s known for stone hot pots that even one person can enjoy, and the restaurant serves Japanese-imported king crabs, Hokkaido scallops, as well as fresh seafood purchased directly from the Keelung harbor – a real treat for seafood lovers.

Zhongshan Branch
Address: No. 546, Wenshin S. Rd., Taichung City
Phone: 04-2265-1100

Taichung Civic II Branch
Address: No. 213, Section 2, Wenshin Rd., Xitun District, Taichung City
Phone: 04-2252-2111
Both branches are open from 11:00 AM to 4:00 AM

Bazhian

Bazhian is considered a high cost-performance hot pot specialty shop, with average prices under 400 NT. Netizens especially recommend the sukiyaki and tomato-pork belly beef pots. The sukiyaki features a base of fresh onions and a unique sauce, with the highlight being the option to choose two types of meat as the main dish. The tomato pot is made by simmering fresh tomatoes, resulting in a rich, flavorful broth complemented by the sweetness of the tomatoes!

Address: No. 25, Section 2, Gongyi Rd., Nantun District, Taichung City 408
Phone: 04-2319-1768
Business hours: 11:00 AM–2:00 AM

▲ The sour white wine hot pot is widely loved by customers, with fresh ingredients soaked in premium daiginjo sake, giving off a subtle wine aroma. (Photo / Orange Dog Loves Candy)

Little Fat Beef

Another restaurant specializing in refined hot pot dishes, Little Fat Beef is also a popular eatery on Gōngyì Road. The owners frequently update the menu seasonally, and netizens highly recommend the sour white wine lees hot pot and the yin-yang hot pot. The restaurant ferments pickled cabbage in daiginjo sake lees, creating a naturally refreshing sourness with a hint of wine aroma.

Additionally, the chili and chili oil in the yin-yang hot pot base are stir-fried over a long period to achieve a multi-layered spiciness, which is then simmered together with spices and herbs, resulting in a flavor that is both numbing, spicy, and fragrant without being overly harsh.

Address: No. 286, Gōngyì Road, West District, Taichung City
Phone: 04-23106789
Business Hours: 11:30 AM – 12:00 AM

Shi Qi Stone Hot Pot

Shi Qi Stone Hot Pot is another brand under the Karuizawa group, with very affordable prices mostly ranging from 200 to 300+ NT dollars, and even the most expensive Seafood & Meat Hot Pot is less than 600 NT dollars. The restaurant offers individual stone hot pot, spicy hot pot, Japanese-style hot pot, and sukiyaki.

Address: No. 855, Yǒngchūn East 7th Road, Nántún District, Taichung City
Phone: 04 2386 2147
Business Hours: 11:00 AM – 2:00 AM

▲Photo shows the popular signature items of Wu Lao Pot. The left side is the Longevity Spicy Fragrant Hot Pot Base, and the right side is the Ice Cream Tofu Hot Pot Base. (Photo / fromWu Lao Pot’s official fan page)

Wu Lao Pot

Wu Lao Pot is known for its yin-yang hot pot series, and its signature is particularly eye-catching: an ice cream tofu hot pot paired with a longevity spicy fragrant hot pot. The soft and tender ice cream tofu can be eaten after just ten minutes in the pot, and this novel way of eating attracts many diners. The soup for the tofu pot is brewed with herbs and traditional Chinese medicine, giving off a rich aroma. The restaurant serves Wu Lao meat in small jars surrounded by crushed ice to keep the meat tender and juicy, and it is rich in collagen, making it a favorite among many netizens.

Address: No. 74, Section 2, Gōngyì Road, Nántún District, Taichung City
Phone: 04-23191158
Business Hours: 11:00 AM – 4:00 AM

▲The broth at Old Sichuan can be tasted in multiple layers of numbness and spice, which is why it attracts so many netizens. (Photo / fromOld Sichuan Bashu Spicy Hot Potofficial fan page)

Old Sichuan

And of course, we can’t miss the widely spread Old Sichuan across Taiwan. Its most famous feature is the spicy hot pot broth, which differs from ordinary spicy hot pots as it offers multiple layers of numbness and spice that can numb your entire taste buds. Plump duck blood, tofu, and other meats soak up the spicy broth—this way of eating is a favorite among many foodies. In addition, the restaurant is very generous; uneaten food can be packed to go, and you can even get a refill of the spicy broth. Doesn’t that sound tempting?

Address: No. 343, Gōngyì Road, Taichung City
Phone: 04-23198789
Business Hours: 11:30 AM – 7:00 AM

Karuizawa

Karuizawa, which enjoys high recognition in Taichung, mainly offers affordable hot pot dishes and sukiyaki, with average prices around 300 NT dollars. It’s always crowded whenever it opens, and the great value and delicious hot pot keep both locals and tourists coming back for more. In addition, the oversized building and unique “Zen-inspired” interior design have also amazed many netizens. Those who want to eat here should definitely make a reservation in advance.

Address: No. 276, Gōngyì Road, West District, Taichung City 403
Phone: 04-2327-4747
Business Hours: 11:00 AM ~ 2:00 AM