The Korean Wave is here: Delicious hot budae jjigae to warm you up in the cold winter

Travel Center / Compiled Report

With the cold fronts frequently hitting Taiwan during the fall and winter seasons, enjoying a steaming hot pot in this chilly weather is undoubtedly one of life’s greatest pleasures. Coupled with the ongoing popularity of Korean culture in recent years, "budae jjigae" (Korean army stew) is a must-try hot pot dish.ETtoday Eastday Travel Cloudhas specially compiled a list of delicious budae jjigae spots across Taiwan for our readers, ensuring you can still feel the warmth of great food on a cold night.

▲ K-Boom - K-Bang Korean Cuisine (Photo / from K-Boom - K-Bang Korean Cuisine fan page)

K-Boom K-Bang Korean Cuisine
The restaurant’s Korean-style fried chicken tower and budae jjigae are popular menu items. The fried chicken tower consists of 20 pieces of chicken coated in an exclusive sauce, available in three flavors: spicy-sour, spicy, and soy-based. The portions are surprisingly generous. The restaurant also categorizes budae jjigae by military ranks, offering three types: General, Officer, and Non-commissioned Officer. Among them, the Blue Diamond General Budae Jjigae is packed with various seafood, including crabs, shrimp, and mussels, which has delighted many online reviewers.

K-Boom K-Bang Korean Cuisine
Address: 2F, No. 8, Guanqian Rd., Zhongzheng District, Taipei City
Phone: 02-2381-5511
Business Hours: 11:00–23:00

▲ Red Hot Korean Hot Pot (Photo / provided by Red Hot Korean Hot Pot)

Red Hot Korean Hot Pot
Located in the alley behind Taipei’s National Father Memorial Hall MRT Station, Red Hot Korean Hot Pot offers not only common hot pot dishes like budae jjigae and kimchi stew, but also delicacies like Chuncheon spicy chicken and cheese fried rice, which many foodies consider must-tries.

The Chuncheon spicy chicken is made with chicken, mashed potatoes, rice cakes, and fish cakes, all tossed in authentic Korean chili sauce until the spicy flavors are fully absorbed, releasing an aromatic fragrance. The cheese fried rice is mixed with plenty of seaweed and bibimbap ingredients. When the cheese melts over the heated stone pot, it slowly spreads through the rice. The restaurant even shapes the fried rice into hearts, making it both adorable and comforting.

Red Hot Korean Hot Pot
Address: No. 43, Lane 280, Guangfu S. Rd., Da’an District, Taipei City
Phone: 02-8773-7103
Business Hours: 11:15–14:30, 17:45–22:30

▲ Mr. Wheat Creative Cuisine, Yongkang Hot Pot Restaurant (Photo / mimi Han)

Mr. Wheat Creative Cuisine
Located on Yongda Road in Tainan, Mr. Wheat Creative Cuisine features a wide variety of hot pot options. Their budae jjigae is hearty and made with quality ingredients, including staple toppings like stir-fried rice cakes, German sausages, cured meat, and kimchi—all done right. The flavor is slightly spicy and tangy, with a generous portion that even those with bigger appetites won’t leave hungry.
The restaurant also offers single-serving budae jjigae, breaking the notion that it's strictly a group meal. Even the individual hot pot is generously portioned, with a rich broth. Whether you’re gathering with friends or enjoying some solo time, this is a great choice.

Mr. Wheat Creative Cuisine - Yongkang Hot Pot Restaurant
Address: No. 101-103, Section 3, Yongda Rd., Yongkang District, Tainan City
Phone: 06-2038680
Hours: Weekdays 11:00–15:00, 17:00–22:00 (Open all day on holidays)

▲ Arirang Village (Photo / by reporter Huang Kexiang)

Arirang Village
Located next to Shilin MRT Station, Arirang Village serves a luxurious budae jjigae (Korean army stew) that’s generously filled with hearty ingredients and packed with a spicy kick—perfect for warming up on a cold day. Other signature dishes include Chuncheon-style fried chicken cutlet, which combines chicken thigh meat, fish cakes, cabbage, rice cakes, and sweet potatoes, paired with a unique spicy sauce that balances a subtle sweetness with a mild, non-irritating heat. The bold flavors of the spicy Korean cuisine will have you going back for bowl after bowl of steamed rice.

Arirang Village
Address: No. 149, Fuhua Rd., Shilin District, Taipei City
Phone: 02-2838 3228
Hours: 11:30–14:00 & 17:00–21:00 (Closed every Monday)