Taipei’s premium hotpot experience: Feast on golden live crabs bursting with rich roe

Photos & Text /DaKou (Big Mouth)

The high-quality, generous-portion meat specialists at "Fangyuan Hotpot" have finally opened their third branch. Ever since my first visit to Fangyuan, I’ve been hooked on their meat—its generous portions and top-notch quality remain unmatched to this day. When I heard that the Fuxing branch had just opened, I immediately gathered a few friends for a visit.

During the opening period, they’re giving away angel shrimp—and lucky us, we managed to snag some. Supplies are limited, so seafood lovers, hurry up. Not only did we get super-sized portions of meat this time, but there were also Boston lobsters and Canadian golden crabs to choose from, all still alive before being served. Plus, if you order the double seafood set, you can pair it with two types of meat—absolute indulgence.

%The store is right next to the large Ximending MRT station entrance. We saw the big banner hanging at the entrance celebrating the Nov 28 opening: “Come in and get a free angel shrimp!” Limited quantity, so first come, first served. Seafood fans, don’t wait too long or you’ll miss out.

%The interior design follows the brand’s consistent style, with a clean and bright layout.　

%Although it’s near Ximending, it’s not inside the bustling heart of the area, which makes it quieter.

%They also have their own unique drinks menu. In addition to juices, coffee, freshly brewed tea, and milk tea, our favorite was their milk tea—we always start with a big cup to whet our appetite (weird, huh?).

%Right by the entrance, you can see the staff preparing the meat and sides through a transparent counter—this open process is very reassuring.

%Each table is equipped with a personal sauce station, and the sauces are all made in-house, which is a nice touch.

%There’s also a private room in the back, perfect for larger groups. It’s usually available, even when the main dining area is busy.

%The broth here is another highlight. They use high-quality imported base broths, and every time we come, the flavors are consistently rich.

%We’re a big group, so we went all out: Sichuan spicy (add NT$70) paired with Mongolian garlic (add NT$70), and tofu miso (add NT$70) paired with Inner Mongolian garlic (add NT$70). The more people, the better—you get to try multiple broths in one go. Fangyuan is also thoughtful enough to include tips in the menu about which broths pair best with which meats or seafood, so you can choose according to your preferences.

%Here comes the free angel shrimp we got as a gift. Coming shortly after the opening has its perks—you still get to enjoy big, delicious angel shrimp.

%This dish is one of their signature offerings, and it’s really something special.　

%Most diners go for the standard beef and lamb options, but we wanted to try something different this time. This presentation is truly eye-catching.

%This time, our group of four opted for 13-ounce King Beef (NT$920), which is made from Angus black beef. The marbling isn’t excessive, and the thickness is just right. Those who love a hearty texture can also go for the thick-cut version.

%Then there’s this massive piece of spicy beef—easily several times the size of a human face. Their spicy broth is mildly hot with a hint of numbing spice, not overpowering at all, and perfect for beef or lamb. For sides, we chose plain rice, instant noodles, and glass noodles, but honestly, we were all so full by the end that we couldn’t finish them.<

%We also got 2 ounces of premium Taiwanese pork belly (NT$920). The marbling on this pork belly is absolutely stunning—it’s well-balanced with lean and fat, and the bright red color just screams deliciousness.

%The Taiwanese pork belly has a good level of fattiness, and the slices are quite thick too. It’s perfect for meat lovers looking to indulge.

%First, we chose the Sichuan spicy broth to cook the meat. Once it’s cooked to a tender pink, it’s ready to eat. The texture is incredibly tender, bursting with juicy flavor and a rich meaty sweetness—absolutely delicious.

%It pairs especially well with the plain rice, which enhances the umami. Though we added quite a bit of chili oil, it didn’t make the dish overly spicy or greasy.　

%We also got 2 ounces of a Taiwanese pork duo—combining Taiwanese black pork with live-culture bacon pork. You get to taste two different types of pork in one go, which is such a treat.

%The Taiwanese pork has a melt-in-your-mouth texture, while the bacon pork is rich, tender, and sweet, with a mouthful of savory fat that’s incredibly satisfying.

%Next, we chose 2 ounces of premium New Zealand lamb shoulder. It’s made from six-month-old lamb and the portion size is quite generous.

%The lamb has no strong gamey smell and is incredibly tender and flavorful, making it a great choice for those who prefer milder meats.

%The lamb slices are soft and juicy, with no unpleasant odor. Even those who usually dislike lamb will enjoy this.

%And we went all out with the Boston live lobster + double seafood platter combo. Now that’s what we call a feast.

% of families returning from their trips say: "How could it be? It’s just so good here!" The sides on the table are also super rich—there’s bacon, mushrooms, corn, and more, making it hard to stop eating!

% of diners mention that the portion of lobster here is quite generous. Just a few minutes in the hot pot and it’s ready to eat. The lobster meat is really firm and springy, super sweet and delicious overall!

% of friends who joined the seafood feast say: "I didn’t expect it to be this good!" It’s seriously that amazing!

% of diners say the seafood platter on the second floor is even more worth trying because besides the Boston lobster, there’s an even more impressive dish coming up later!

% of guests opted for the Canadian Gold Crab Double Seafood Platter, where the middle spot was swapped out for a super huge Canadian gold crab!

% of diners say the Boston lobster here is very fresh and sweet. The texture is bouncy, and the flavor is especially rich.　

% of diners say the crab roe is visibly orange-red once the crab is cracked open—it looks super appetizing (everyone’s faces lit up with love when they saw it)!

% of diners say when the gold crab goes into the hot pot, you can immediately smell the rich aroma. Then the crab roe-filled gold crab goes into the pot to cook. Also, the clams and scallops are super fresh, tender, and juicy—so delicious!

% of diners say the texture of the crab roe is super smooth, giving a luxurious feel. The rich crab roe bursts in your mouth, giving a very satisfying sensation.

% of diners say the crab meat here is also surprisingly good. It’s not the usual chewy texture; instead, it has a unique mouthfeel and tastes quite soft, sweet, and delicious. Paired with the crab roe, it’s really incredibly tasty!

% of diners say the spicy soup base is also not the same as usual. The Sichuan peppercorn-infused broth numbs your tongue but also excites your taste buds. Then throw in the gold crab full of roe to cook. Also, the clams and scallops are super fresh and plump, tasting amazingly delicious. Don’t forget to cook some instant noodles in the end too. The instant noodles soak up all the spicy soup, turning soft, Q-textured, and smooth, with a fragrant, slightly numbing and spicy taste that’s super yummy!

% of diners say even though we were already full to the brim, we still couldn’t resist having a few scoops of ice cream. What a perfect ending!

% of visitors say it’s really worth a try and recommend it to everyone.

"Fangyuan Hot Pot (Fuxing Branch)" is located right next to the Technology Building MRT Station. It’s convenient to get to; the dining environment is spacious and comfortable, and there's a self-service bar with sauces, drinks, and ice cream that you can enjoy unlimitedly. In addition to the consistently delicious and generously portioned meats, the seafood also really shines—the live Boston lobster has firm, springy, plump, and sweet meat, while the Canadian gold crab has soft, delicate, tender, and delicious meat, making the experience super satisfying. This place is no longer just a paradise for meat lovers, but also a new great option for seafood enthusiasts. Whether it’s meat or seafood, you can have it all here in one go. Highly recommended—make sure to come try it if you have the chance!

Fangyuan Hot Pot (Fuxing Branch)
Address: No. 2, Lane 271, Section 2, Fuxing South Road, Da’an District, Taipei City (next to Technology Building MRT Station)
Phone: 02-27088855
Business Hours: 11:00–15:00, 17:30–22:00

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