You can enjoy a whole chicken here—a super rich chicken hotpot with Hokkaido milk flavor!

Text and photos byDaku

I just got back from Japan not long ago, and I already miss Japanese food so much!! Who would have thought you can now enjoy delicious Kyushu Fukuoka chicken hotpot in Taiwan? Head to “Mizutaki Tsukushima,” located on Jilin Road, Zhongshan District, Taipei. It’s not just an izakaya—it also serves scrumptious Kyushu chicken hotpot. Let’s go right away!“Mizutaki Tsukushima” was founded by three young people skilled in different areas of Japanese cuisine. True to their roots, they each took one character from the names of previous restaurants where they worked to form the new name. “Tsukushima” is also the ancient name for Kyushu, Japan. They hope everyone can feel happiness and warmth while enjoying Kyushu Fukuoka chicken hotpot!

%Ji Ba? Ding? “Mizutaki Tsukushima” is located on Jilin Road, Zhongshan District, Taipei. Its black-and-white signboard is very eye-catching. Take a closer look—aside from being an izakaya, it also serves Kyushu Fukuoka chicken hotpot from Japan!“Tsukushima” is not far from either Tian Gong MRT Station or Zhongshan Elementary School MRT Station—you can walk there in under six minutes, making it quite convenient!

%The interior gives off a warm Japanese vibe, especially with the orange lighting, which makes you feel as if you’ve stepped into Japan.

%Here, the freshly grilled chicken paired with Japanese sake creates a great combo. The cozy dining space won’t make you feel cramped at all!

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

%The menu introduces the star dish, “whole chicken hotpot,” which doesn’t just come from a famous Japanese restaurant but is also a classic Japanese winter dish. “Mizutaki Tsukushima” was founded by three young people from various Japanese cuisine backgrounds, each contributing one character from their previous workplaces to form the name “Tsukushima.” Loyal to their roots, they aim to bring the warmth of delicious chicken hotpot to more customers. There are also daily specials on the side that you can consider ordering!

%A must-try recommendation is the whole chicken hotpot!

%The house sake here has a clear label, and the taste is smooth with a hint of sweetness. (Under 18, no alcohol please)

%At the bar counter, you can see the chef preparing the ingredients right in front of you, which feels very authentic. (Under 18, no alcohol) There are also many types of alcoholic beverages—the perfect choice for enthusiasts (Under 18, no alcohol)! The restaurant has 42 seats, including tables for two, four, and six, and tables can be combined to suit various gathering needs!

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

%The side dishes include pickled radish, cucumber, and kimchi, which are slightly spicy, crisp, and very appetizing!

%We were curious about the fruity cocktail and gave it a try. It has the sour aroma of lemon, the sweetness of peach, the bitterness of lemon peel, and the kick of soda water—doesn’t this just capture the sweet, sour, bitter, and spicy feelings of first love? Those who want to relive first love should give this a try. The other drink, Aomori apple juice, is limited edition and tastes naturally sweet with a slight tartness—so good!! (Under 18, no alcohol)

%The service staff are very attentive and will check on you frequently.

%The grilled chicken skewers are juicy and tender, especially the chicken thigh ones. They’re super flavorful and very satisfying. (Under 18, no alcohol)

%There’s also a variety of set meals that allow you to choose your own ingredients.

%Their cooking techniques are more refined compared to regular Japanese restaurants, giving a high-end feel overall.

%The ingredients are very fresh, and there’s a lot of variety too.

%The staff are very friendly and will offer helpful suggestions and pairings.

%The seafood is very fresh, and the sashimi is delicious—highly recommended.

%The grilled squid is nicely charred, with a fragrant smokiness that’s very appetizing.

%If you’re not into alcohol, you can still enjoy the food here.

%The cocktails are quite unique—they’re not overly sweet or strong, striking a good balance.

%The chicken pieces are surprisingly large—much bigger than a 10-yen coin!

%The house sake is served in beautiful cups, and the chicken broth is rich. The chicken is juicy and flavorful, and the unique aroma of the chicken paste adds a special touch.

%For just NT$199, you get a whole chicken plus hotpot base—you really get a whole chicken lying in the milky-white soup, paired with a rich side dish platter and specially made chicken paste. It looks amazing!

%The ingredients are all made from fresh, high-quality chicken and vegetables, all carefully selected. The chicken is tender and juicy, and the skin is smooth and delicious.

%The chicken used here is all fresh and never frozen, making it incredibly healthy and delicious. It includes chicken thigh, chicken breast, chicken wings, chicken drumsticks, chicken back, chicken neck, chicken feet, chicken skin, chicken gizzard, chicken liver, and chicken heart — absolutely no additives, giving you a truly wholesome feeling.

%So how exactly do you cook this? What’s the method? This time, the shop owner takes charge. In no time, the owner skillfully disassembles the chicken, filling the pot to the brim with nothing but chicken meat.

%The chicken pieces are quite large, and the meat doesn’t easily fall off the bones.

%After the chicken is done, we add seasonal vegetables to the chicken soup, which looks incredibly appetizing.

%Additionally, there are also pre-cut vegetables for the chicken soup. It’s so exciting — the pot is packed with super-rich ingredients. You can’t finish cooking everything in one go; it needs to be cooked in two or three batches. The portion is quite generous, enough for 3–4 people to share. Additionally, everyone is provided with yuzu soy sauce and sesame sauce, which can be paired with the chicken hotpot according to personal preference.

%Before adding the vegetables, DaKou (Big Mouth) suggests trying a bowl of the broth and chicken first. The thick, fragrant, and milky-white broth paired with the chicken is simply a perfect match.

%The chicken thigh meat is tender and juicy, with a rich umami flavor.

%The chicken skin is especially crispy when roasted, and when paired with the chewy cartilage, it gives off a rich pork bone soup aroma that’s incredibly satisfying.

%Even the chicken cartilage can be eaten as a dish on its own. It’s easy to eat and very enjoyable. What’s magical is that no matter which part you try, it’s not dry or tough at all. Instead, it has a tender, milky-fat texture that’s very smooth.

%As for the chicken meat, you can easily separate it from the bone with chopsticks — it’s amazing.

%The other vegetables are also super delicious. The daikon radish is especially sweet and tasty, with a slightly chewy and juicy texture that makes you fall in love with it at first bite.

%The green onions are finely chopped and have a naturally refreshing aroma, which is quite lovely.

%The chicken meat can be paired with rice or eaten with the chicken soup. Both ways are delicious. The yuzu soy sauce has a refreshing taste, and those who prefer a light flavor can definitely give it a try.

%The chicken soup is made using chicken bones, pork bones, kelp, and dried shiitake mushrooms, giving it a rich and savory taste. It has both the umami of the chicken and the depth of the pork bones, along with a unique medicinal aroma. The daikon radish is unexpectedly sweet and delicious, with a slightly chewy and juicy texture that makes you love it instantly.

%At the end of the meal, the shop owner surprised us with Zousui (rice porridge) Up. First, the owner scooped out the leftover ingredients to pack up (huh? Because it was so delicious, we’re taking it home for a late-night snack). The remaining milk-based broth is combined with shredded chicken, then white rice, egg, green onions are added and simmered for a few minutes. Finally, cheese is sprinkled on top, and the heat is turned off — and it’s done.

%The final dish served at the table surprised me. I didn’t expect there to be such a trick...

%There’s also melted cheese inside. The cheese zousui tastes rich, creamy, sweet, and luxurious, with an added cheesy aroma. It’s simply too delicious. I quietly packed the leftovers to take home as well.

“Mizutaki Tsukushima Tuskushima” has a spacious and comfortable dining space filled with a strong Japanese atmosphere, making you feel like you’ve been transported to Japan in an instant. The menu offers a wide variety of choices. In addition to the signature chicken hotpot, there are also stir-fries, deep-fried dishes, grilled items, meats, seafood, vegetables, various alcoholic beverages, and soft drinks (no alcohol for those under 18). There are also set meals for one, two, and four people, making it perfect for family gatherings, colleague meetups, or friend get-togethers of all sizes. The highlight is their chicken hotpot, which is incredibly good — especially the cheese zousui with melted cheese, which is a must-try. Recommended for everyone. When you get the chance, give it a try. You might also end up feeling just as reluctant to leave as DaKou did.

Mizutaki Tsukushima Tuskushima
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Address: No. 253, Jilin Road, Zhongshan District, Taipei City (about a 6-minute walk from Zhongshan Elementary School Station and Xingtian Temple Station on the MRT)
Phone: 02-25630288
Business Hours: 17:00–3:00 AM (Monday to Sunday)

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