Premium whole cuts of meat only！A refreshing spicy hot pot with a broth simmered from fresh vegetables, fruits, and chili peppers

Photos and text byDaku

As the weather gets colder, it’s time to enjoy a steaming hot bowl of hot pot. But you can also savor spicy hot pot in an elegant and refined way！Located in a lane on Ren’ai Road, Da’an District, Taipei, “Ma. La Yi Hao Dian” features a façade resembling bare concrete paired with pine wood décor, yet offers an interior atmosphere reminiscent of a Western restaurant — bringing delightful surprises along with healthy and delicious flavors！

Their spicy broth is made without MSG or traditional Chinese herbs, but rather simmered purely from a variety of natural ingredients like fruits, vegetables, and chili peppers. It has an aromatic and mildly spicy taste with a clean, non-greasy mouthfeel that many love, and best of all, there’s no lingering hot pot smell afterward — which is quite unique！The meats are premium whole cuts, delivering both satisfying texture and flavor. Most notably, the hot pot is paired with sparkling wine and post-meal desserts like fruits served in an English afternoon tea style, which not only surprise the palate but also delight the eyes！

The “Ma. La Yi Hao Dian” is located in a lane on Ren’ai Road, Da’an District, Taipei. The three-dimensional wall designed to resemble bare concrete, paired with pine wood slats flowing like water, gives off a highly design-oriented vibe！

At first glance, the space inside the entrance hallway looks quite upscale！Since it has just opened, there are still plenty of congratulatory flower baskets at the entrance！

The dining area is bright and spacious, with black-painted wooden tables and chairs adding a modern touch！

On the other side of the venue, there is also a private room that can accommodate larger groups！

The vegetable section is not to be missed, with colorful and fresh greens neatly arranged, including mushrooms that look particularly inviting！

There are two private rooms in the back, probably used for reservation-only services！They may be reserved for VIPs or used by small groups of friends！

The meats here are sliced to order using the whole block method, locking in the juices of fresh high-quality meat. The portion sizes are quite generous, making one wonder how they manage to keep the prices reasonable！

Speaking of which, let me first explain the origin of the name “Ma. La Yi Hao Dian”! The “Yi” (壹) symbolizes exclusivity and a beginning, as well as the meaning of “wholehearted dedication and focus”. In other words, it’s about putting in full effort to create a brand-new image for spicy hot pot！On weekdays from Monday to Thursday lunchtime, they offer business set lunches for solo diners — perfect for enjoying alone！

There are also special set meals for one or two people, allowing individuals to dine comfortably！

They also offer combo meals for one person or for couples, with a good range of choices！

The set meals here can also be customized to some extent, allowing diners to tailor their experience！

Ingredients such as noodles, rice, and drinks can also be added, offering even more options！

Finally, there are also desserts available for order. The ice cream is something that everyone will love trying！

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

The dining area is already adorned with snacks, fruits, and nuts as complimentary items. There were no complimentary teas provided today, but based on the overall ambiance and conversation with the staff, the teas should be quite flavorful. They use a contactless ordering system, so you don’t have to worry about pressing buttons. This makes ordering very convenient, and the response speed is also quite fast！

The restaurant also offers self-heating hot pot options, which can be used together with the set meals！

We opted for the premium hot pot base, so we could enjoy two different types in one go！

They also have spicy chicken broth, which is particularly popular among diners！

We also ordered spicy beef broth and other options. First, the service was excellent, and the food presentation was also very appetizing！

One must-try here is the French Clairette Peche sparkling peach wine (360 TWD/750ml). When you come here, you definitely have to order a glass of sparkling wine to try！The staff first place the sparkling wine in an ice bucket, and after a short wait, it’s ready to enjoy！

After about three minutes, the staff professionally pour the wine, and you can taste how it has a subtle hint of peach aroma, with delicate bubbles and a mildly sweet flavor gradually spreading in your mouth！

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

Another soup base option is similar to the classic clear broth — it doesn’t have the intense spiciness of the others, and is also suitable for vegetarians or those who don’t eat spicy food！

The clear broth has a light taste, not greasy at all, and actually quite refreshing. It’s not bland either, and still has a rich umami depth. The tofu they use is thousand-layer tofu, which has a soft and slightly chewy texture, and absorbs the broth excellently, making it quite delicious！The radish tastes spicy with a touch of sweetness, leaving a pleasant aftertaste that’s very enjoyable！

The staff here also offer tableside service, helping to cook the ingredients—it’s really thoughtful!

Try their American Black Grade wagyu sirloin heart, known as the black legend of the U.S., not only with evenly distributed marbling but also incredibly tender meat!

The handmade gyoza paired with the dipping sauce will leave you amazed.　

The beef has a rich umami flavor after cooking, with a slightly firm texture. One bite releases sweet juices, and it's delicious even on its own!

The uni (sea urchin) here pairs wonderfully with the rice, offering a rich, creamy sensation that lingers delightfully.

The butterfish sashimi is served atop a bed of rice, and the rice itself is made using Koshihikari, a premium Japanese rice variety that Japanese people highly regard. After polishing, it becomes this exquisite rice.

Some customers mentioned that your seat location is also key—the grilled items are placed on a stone plate that keeps them warm for a long time.

After grilling the beef just right, you get that fine charcoal-grilled aroma. It has a rich umami juice, with a hint of oil that makes it instantly loveable!

The butterfish sashimi, tuna, and amberjack slices look incredibly fresh and appealing!

The uni comes in 15 pieces, each about the same size, and the sand has been thoroughly cleaned out—it’s clear they were carefully selected. There are also four crab sticks, served with lemon slices for added aroma and to cut through the richness.

The colorful sashimi platter looks very appetizing, and there’s nothing fishy about it at all.

The crab sticks are soft and tender, with a slight crab texture that is absolutely delicious!

The butterfish is incredibly fresh and sweet, pairing nicely with Japanese soy sauce for an aromatic and refreshing taste. The vegetables are served in a kelp-based broth that tastes naturally sweet, making it both comforting and delicious.

The butterfish sashimi also includes three pieces of tai (red snapper), sea bream, and perch—a whole spread that’s super tempting!

All the seafood here is selected from high-grade Japanese sources, so the quality is top-notch. The scallops have a soft, juicy texture and are quite sweet. The combination of a seared outside and rare inside creates a delightful double texture!

The clam miso soup is light but full of flavor—not too salty, with a clean umami taste that’s soothing and delicious!

The clear soup is refreshing, with the right amount of saltiness. These dishes are perfect for those who prefer lighter flavors—you can take a look for yourselves.

The clear soup has a delicate aroma, and its subtle taste is quite unique. It makes you want to take one sip after another.

After trying the clear soup, its taste is clean and refreshing. The saltiness is just right, and while the wrappers are thin, they’re made using high-quality ingredients. The filling uses a thicker wrapper, giving it a different texture compared to typical fish dumplings, shrimp dumplings, or scallop dumplings!

The clear soup isn’t just a simple broth—it’s a rich, flavorful one. You can even see the bits of ingredients floating in it.

We also tried the clear soup dumplings. They’re chewy and bouncy, filled with plenty of shrimp and squid—your mouth is filled with the taste of the ocean, and they’re Q-textured and delicious!

The second dish is the oden. The flavors of the dashi and soy aren’t too strong, and the broth is very light.

The oden is smooth and pairs well with the spicy hotpot broth. The Japanese-style noodles are Q-textured and elastic—the texture is quite nice!

The layered rose jelly not only has a dreamy gradient but is also topped with a generous sprinkle of rose petals—it’s so pretty you don’t want to drink it. Stir it up a bit, and it has the mild sour-sweetness of hibiscus, along with a touch of fresh rose fragrance. It’s as beautiful as it is tasty!

After finishing the oden, our meal wasn’t over yet. What’s special here is that besides the kelp broth, you can also cook zosui in the spicy hotpot broth. We thought it was super fresh, so we decided to try the spicy zosui. The chef carefully scooped out the solids from the broth first, then added rice, egg, nori strips, and green onions in sequence. In about ten minutes, it was done!

The spicy zosui doesn’t have the greasy feeling you might imagine. It’s flavorful but not heavy. The rice is soft, and the overall taste is comforting and satisfying.

They also serve a delicious chocolate brownie. It has a mild bitter-sweet chocolate flavor—not overly sweet or rich.

There’s also a bowl of white fungus and lotus seed soup. It has a lightly fragrant, mildly sweet taste. The white fungus is chopped and simmered, giving it a texture similar to bird’s nest, which feels refreshing and cuts through the richness.

They also made a birthday cake for us. It even had “Happy Birthday” written on it in chocolate, which was super thoughtful. It has a light milky flavor, a soft and smooth texture, and isn’t too sweet—absolutely delicious!

Here’s one last great deal for you. From now until February 29th next year (yes, there really is a Feb 29th next year), just dine in, check in, or leave a review on our official Facebook fan page, and you’ll receive either a serving of “American Black Grade Wagyu Snowflake Beef” or “American Black Grade Matsusaka Pork” compliments of the house. Each serving is worth over 1000 NTD—that’s super generous. Just looking at the beautifully marbled Matsusaka pork is making my mouth water. But quantities are limited, so hurry and get yours while you can. (Please refer to the actual in-store announcements for event details.)

Coming to "Ma.La No.1," it feels like stepping into a Western restaurant or a boutique café—the soothing background music pairs perfectly with the elegant display of sake, red wine, and white wine, creating an atmosphere that's both refined and comfortable. There’s quite a selection of dishes, all made with high-quality ingredients—whether seafood or meat, every item is carefully chosen, and you can truly taste the exceptional care put into each bite. Their spicy broth doesn’t have the typical Sichuan or herbal medicine flavors; instead, it offers a fragrant, numbing, and slightly spicy kick that’s refreshing. After eating, there’s no discomfort or thirstiness, which is really quite unique. The dining style resembles Western-style set meals, with impressive plating, refinement, and delightful surprises that brighten the experience. Friends who are curious are welcome to come and give it a try!

Ma.La No.1
Address: No. 12, Lane 20, Alley 300, Section 4, Ren'ai Road, Da’an District, Taipei City (MRT Xinyi Anhe Station)
Phone: 02-27022033
Business Hours: 11:30 AM – 9:30 PM (Monday to Sunday)
FB Fan Page:https://www.facebook.com/1.one.first

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