It warms the heart even in the cold winter days!The “Mandarin Duck Lamb Hot Pot” at Zhonghe has tender and springy meat.

Text and photos by /DaKou

As the weather gets cooler, it’s the perfect season for hot pot again. This time, DaKou is taking you to enjoy a warm and hearty mutton hot pot—“Shanyangcheng Whole Lamb Restaurant Mutton Hot Pot,” Zhonghe Julu Branch, located on Julu Road in Zhonghe District, New Taipei City, right across from the fire station. Not only is the space spacious and comfortable, but the tables, chairs, and floors aren’t sticky at all. The bright and clean environment makes you not want to leave once you step inside.

There’s a wide variety of dishes to choose from. In addition to signature vegetable mutton and red-braised mutton broth, you can also go for a yin-yang hot pot to enjoy both delicious flavors at once. Here, there’s no strong mutton smell, and the lamb doesn’t have that traditionally tough and chewy texture. Instead, it offers a delightful taste that you’ll instantly love. For those who don’t eat lamb, don’t worry—there’s also PRIME-grade natural beef and toxin-free raised pork belly available, ensuring everyone can indulge and leave fully satisfied.

%The location is very convenient, situated on Julu Road in Zhonghe District, New Taipei City, right across from the fire station. It’s very easy to find, and parking is also quite convenient.

%The environment here is exceptionally clean, with no unpleasant odors. Even after cooking, the air remains fresh without any lingering smells. The ventilation is great, and there’s no stuffiness at all.

%The restaurant uses a regular gas stove. It not only heats up quickly but also retains the original flavor well. There’s also seating under the covered walkway, which is perfect for those who enjoy dining in the natural breeze. After eating the mutton hot pot, your body feels nice and warm, and sitting outside isn’t cold at all. Additionally, the fridge offers a variety of drinks and alcohol. Feel free to help yourselves, and you can settle the bill together at the end. (No alcohol for those under 18.)

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

%It’s especially recommended to visit on a cooler evening. You won’t have to wait long, and you can be seated and enjoying your meal in no time.

%The interior design is also very thoughtfully done. The overall style is simple yet cozy, reminiscent of a home setting.

%The ordering process is very straightforward. Just tell the staff what you’d like, and they’ll take care of the rest. If you’re still hungry, you can always order more. We ordered the Red-Braised Mutton Trio Set (NT$1,250), and since we wanted to try both the red-braised mutton and vegetable mutton, we also added the Vegetable Mutton Hot Pot (NT$650), asking the staff to serve it as a yin-yang hot pot.

%You can ask the staff directly if you’re unsure what to order. They’ll give you good recommendations.

%The service here is very friendly. The staff will help you settle the bill, pack leftovers, and handle utensils, condiments, napkins, and more. There’s also a self-service area for seasonings.

%The dishes came out super quickly and instantly filled up the whole table. It looked so abundant. The Red-Braised Mutton Trio Set (NT$1,250) includes two servings of red-braised mutton, one mixed vegetable plate, two servings of vermicelli, three items from the NT$100 selection (lamb slices, lamb bones, lamb tripe), and three items from the NT$50 selection (corn, wheat fiber, leafy greens), offering quite a generous portion.

%The first dish was the vegetable mutton. I chose the spicy version. The vegetable mutton broth is made by simmering a large amount of vegetables, sugarcane, and Chinese herbs. The herbal taste isn’t strong—it’s sweet, smooth, and pleasant. The red-braised mutton broth has a slightly salty-sweet flavor with a rich, aromatic scent, though it’s not heavy, and it doesn’t leave your mouth dry.

%The mixed vegetable plate includes common ingredients like mushrooms, enoki mushrooms, and lettuce. It ensures a good mix of textures and flavors.

%The lamb slices were already thinly sliced. Just place them in the hot pot, and they cook quickly.

%The lamb slices are tender and have a slightly Q-textured bite. They’re great on their own or with doubanjiang (spicy bean paste).

%The spicy vegetable mutton broth is made with Taiwanese basil, peppercorns, and other spices. Each spoonful is flavorful.

%The basil and peppercorns, though present, aren’t overpowering. They add a nice kick without being too intense.

%The enoki mushrooms have a nice chew to them but aren’t too tough. After absorbing the rich broth, they become sweet, juicy, and full of aroma, getting more delicious the more you chew.

%The lamb bones are also not too bony. After cooking, the meat around the bone becomes tender. They’re fun to gnaw on, and the best part is that the mutton here doesn’t have a strong smell. There’s only a faint hint of lamb fat aroma—you might even forget you’re eating mutton hot pot, haha.

%The lamb bones come with some cartilage. You can enjoy them together with the lamb.

%The service here is very attentive. The staff will remind you to cook the ingredients properly.

%We put one of each type of ingredient into both broths. You can let them cook a little before fishing them out to enjoy.

%The side dishes are also very generous. Whether it’s the NT$100 or NT$50 options, they’re all fully stocked. For those who don’t eat lamb, there are also beef and pork options. For example, we also ordered the Ju Hao Pork—Pork Belly (NT$200) to try. They specially select toxin-free raised pigs for their guests, which is so thoughtful.

%After cooking the side dishes, don’t miss the lamb tripe.

%The broth here is very rich. We could tell as soon as it was served.

%The first thing that caught our eye was the clear and bright broth. It looks very appetizing.

%The pork belly is tender and juicy, with no off-putting porky smell. It’s delicious on its own.

%The side dishes can also be combined with the broth to enhance the flavor. They’re great for those who prefer a lighter taste.

%The vermicelli is also very smooth. It’s soft and juicy, not only lacking any mutton smell but also incredibly tasty on its own. It’s so good you can’t stop eating it.

%We also tried the RIME Premium Black Angus Ribeye (NT$500). It’s made with natural beef, with generous portions and large slices. It looks super satisfying.

%The beef slices are paired with the broth, and my friend loved them.

%The beef is tender and juicy, not dry despite having less marbling. The sweet meat juice becomes more flavorful the more you chew.

%The ribeye slices are thicker. The thicker ones are even more tender.

%The beef is not only tender and smooth but also has a rich aroma. It melts in your mouth quickly.

%The side ingredients fill the pot generously, making each bite satisfying and fulfilling.

%We compared the two broths and found that each brings out a different flavor profile.

%The lamb tripe and enoki mushrooms in the spicy broth release their sweet aroma in your mouth. They’re refreshing and delicious. Meanwhile, the lamb bones are almost ready to be fished out and enjoyed.

%I didn’t expect the lamb bones to have so much flavor. The meat is tender, and the outer layer has a QQ gelatinous texture that’s addictive to gnaw on.

%The lamb slices are also very tender, with fine-grained meat. Paired with the sweet broth, the texture becomes even softer and sweeter.

%I really recommend trying the vegetable mutton. It pairs surprisingly well with the skin-on mountain lamb. The flavors complement each other beautifully, creating a multi-layered taste that you’ll instantly love.

%The Q-textured skin paired with the tender and juicy meat is delicious on its own. It’s even more flavorful when dipped in doubanjiang.

%The side dishes are also very diverse, including mushrooms, enoki mushrooms, lettuce, mustard greens, wood ear mushrooms, peas, carrots, corn, and potatoes. There aren’t many meat options, but the variety of vegetables is great for health-conscious diners.

%The vegetable mutton broth is also made with a lot of vegetables, making the broth even sweeter.

%The Small Lamb Belly (NT$300) is a special selection of tender lamb belly. It’s not only one of the restaurant’s signatures but also a rare dish to find elsewhere.

%The soup base here is light and not greasy. It pairs perfectly with the lamb belly, making it not at all heavy.

%The lamb belly isn’t just tender—it also has a sweet and juicy flavor. Paired with shredded ginger and soy sauce, it becomes even more delicious. We couldn’t stop eating it and finished the whole plate in no time. A must-try, absolutely recommended.

%If you have any questions about the ingredients, the staff will gladly explain everything.

%The beef and vegetable options are also great choices. We’ve already become big fans of the unique flavors here.

%The mutton hot pot here not only gives us a stable impression of mutton hot pot but also ensures the flavor is consistent. The mutton isn’t overly gamey, and there’s no tough, sinewy texture. It’s incredibly satisfying to eat on a cold day. Any leftovers can be packed to go, and you can add more ingredients or glass noodles/vermicelli at home for another meal. It’s really great value.

“Shanyangcheng Whole Lamb Restaurant Mutton Hot Pot” Zhonghe Julu Branch not only has a bright and comfortable dining environment with no lingering mutton smell in the air, but the tables, chairs, and floors are also very clean and hygienic, leaving a great first impression. With a diverse menu, friends who want to try both signature broths can order a yin-yang hot pot like DaKou and pair it with their favorite ingredients. The vegetable mutton is sweet and refreshing, while the red-braised mutton is rich and sweet. Neither has a strong herbal taste, and they’re suitable for all seasons—nourishing and delicious, making you fall in love at first bite. Moreover, the ultra-tender lamb tripe is a must-order. It’s one of the restaurant’s signatures, with a rich, juicy, and tender texture that’s irresistible. It’s an ultimate delicacy you shouldn’t miss. Recommended to everyone. Interested friends should definitely come and try it—you might find it as memorable as DaKou did.

Shanyangcheng Whole Lamb Restaurant Mutton Hot Pot (Zhonghe Julu Branch)
FB Fan Page
Address: No. 175-1, Julu Road, Zhonghe District, New Taipei City (across from the fire station)
Phone: 02-32341249
Business Hours: 16:30–2:00 AM (No days off)

DaKou’s Class is Going Places.
Check it out. DaKou and the Colorful Neon Lights of MouthMe.
Blog,FB