Nagoya’s top hot pot chain now in Taiwan with customizable spice levels from 0 to 10

Text & Photos byPingzi

A must-visit for hot pot lovers, Japan’s super-popular Nagoya-based hot pot chain Akakara has opened its second branch in Taipei’s Xinyi District at ATT 4 FUN. Pingzi recommends the Akakara ATT2nd Store, which features a red miso broth—rich, savory, and bean-flavored—with pickled vegetables that are spicy yet sweet and refreshing. The hot pot offers fully customizable spice levels from 0 to 10.

The store’s popular cheese-topped tamagoyaki (Japanese omelet) and diverse menu options bring an authentic Japanese experience, complete with hand-painted ukiyo-e murals. Get ready for the spiciest hot pot in Xinyi District—hot pot lovers, it’s time to feast.

The Akakara ATT2nd Store is strategically located in the bustling ATT 4 FUN in Xinyi District, right by the striking blue water feature on the 4th floor—highly visible and easy to find.

With floor-to-ceiling windows offering unobstructed views, the bold red, black, and white brand colors combined with Japanese iconography create strong visual impact. Add the aroma of simmering broths wafting through the air, and it’s impossible to walk past without stopping to check it out.

The globally renowned Japanese hot pot chain Akakara, which already has 260 branches worldwide, opened its first Taiwan location in Zhongshan District in 2015. Its second branch debuted in July this year at ATT 4 FUN in Xinyi District, Taipei. The interior decor and menu design are faithfully replicated to match the scale of the original Japanese locations—truly impressive.

Upon entering, you’ll notice a bar counter to the left of the entrance. Staff will guide you to indoor seating, and even before stepping inside, you can sense the strong Japanese-inspired aesthetic, with the brand’s prominent logo displayed up front.

The Akakara ATT2nd Store blends traditional Japanese style with Xinyi District’s modern flair. A Japanese artist was specially invited to create on-site ukiyo-e illustrations, resulting in an improvised, spectacular masterpiece that’s a real treat for the eyes.

The large black-and-white ukiyo-e mural depicting towering waves is breathtakingly vast, with Mount Fuji in the distant foreground—an homage to Japanese cultural heritage. This piece was painted on-site by renowned Japanese artist Shigeru Mori.

In the center of the Akakara ATT2nd Store, a specially designed service counter is surrounded by an artistic setup resembling a cherry blossom tree, creating a beautiful, Japan-like ambiance. Dining here feels like a visual feast.

Window seats offer stunning views of Xinyi District’s vibrant nightlife, with some spots providing a clear view of Taipei 101. The Akakara ATT2nd Store offers seating for two, four, eight, or more, with comfy crimson cushions for a relaxing dining experience.

Perfect for family gatherings, office meals, or group outings, Xinyi District now has another lively spot for shared meals.

Each table comes with an induction cooker for convenient hot pot cooking.

Storage baskets are provided under each seat for easy bag placement.

Every table is equipped with Japanese-style tableware and napkins for a complete dining experience.

Before you eat, the Akakara ATT2nd Store thoughtfully provides an apron to protect your clothes from splashes—a small detail that shows their attention to customer comfort.

The Akakara ATT2nd Store menu is a full-sized, vertically designed booklet with vivid photos and descriptions, making it easy to browse dishes without needing staff recommendations. Their signature red miso broth, flavored with red miso and tailored for spicy hot pot lovers, takes center stage.

Start by selecting a value set—choose the Nagoya red miso broth option, then decide on spice level and side dishes. A 10% service charge applies.

The Akakara ATT2nd Store’s hot pot is especially recommended for its customizable spice levels from 0 to 10, pushing the boundaries of your hot pot taste buds. Pingzi suggests starting with a mild 3 and adjusting up if you want more heat or saltiness—it’s an addictive experience.

A must-try highlight is the premium broth, one of Akakara’s signature hot pot styles—you won’t want to miss it.

From appetizers to desserts, nothing is overlooked. The dessert is a Taiwan-exclusive limited edition. Pingzi ordered a NT$1,298 set meal (originally priced, now available for NT$998), which includes one Akakara hot pot, secret recipe fried chicken wings, pork and chicken platter, hot pot ingredients (two options at NT$88 each), and a finale dish.

The secret recipe fried chicken wings are a signature dish—you must try them. They may look dry at first glance, but they’re sprinkled with sesame seeds and seasoned with pepper salt. The flavor is bold but incredibly fragrant, unlike ordinary fried chicken wings. The wings are crispy, with a unique marinated taste that keeps you coming back for more.

I also ordered a cheese tamagoyaki, and it arrived thick and hearty, topped with chopped scallions—just looking at it made my mouth water.

The surprise came when I cut into it: a rich, gooey stream of melted cheese poured out. The savory tamagoyaki had a soft, tender exterior with a concentrated, salty cheese flavor—absolutely delicious.

The Akakara hot pot originates from Nagoya, Japan, and is famous for its signature red miso broth. It’s a must-try when visiting Nagoya. The broth is based on spicy red miso and blended with multiple types of chili peppers to create a proprietary, exclusive soup. The hot pot arrives at the table in a ceramic pot, looking incredibly generous. As soon as you lift the lid, the aroma of the spicy miso broth fills the air—perfect for spicy food lovers. The pot is packed with ingredients: pork belly, wagyu small intestines, chicken meatballs, napa cabbage, leeks, bean sprouts, green onions, yuba (tofu skin), and tofu, among others. It’s a hearty spread, topped with fresh green leeks that add a unique flavor, making the broth even richer and more complex.

The ceramic pot is placed on an induction cooker, which you’ll need to turn on and wait for it to boil. Once boiling, you can lift the lid and start eating.

After the broth boils, Pingzi started with a medium-spicy level 5. The surface turned bright red, and the ingredients (pork belly, wagyu small intestines, chicken meatballs, napa cabbage, leeks, bean sprouts, green onions, yuba, and tofu) simmered together with the broth. The miso broth was rich and flavorful—once you try it, you won’t forget it. What’s especially unique is the 11 different spice levels available, ranging from 0 (no spice) to 10 (extreme spice), all fully customizable. You can also adjust the spice level to your preference, a rare and exciting way to enjoy hot pot.

Start by trying the basic ingredients in the hot pot. They have a bit of spice but are incredibly satisfying. Take a bite of the kimchi—spicy yet sweet and refreshing.

We also ordered king oyster mushrooms.

And wild vegetables.

The hot pot already comes with a rich variety of toppings, but you can also choose your favorite ingredients à la carte to add in. We picked wild vegetables and king oyster mushrooms to enhance the depth of the hot pot.

Once added, wait for the broth to boil, and once the ingredients are cooked, they’re ready to enjoy. After opening the pot, it’s usually best to cook the ingredients just enough and then turn off the heat, as the broth becomes saltier the longer it simmers due to evaporation. It’s not recommended to keep heating it like a regular hot pot.

The Tonkatsu Shun set offers meat options, mainly pork belly, chicken, and kurobuta pork. The red meats, with their clear marbling and texture, are visually soothing and served neatly on the plate.

Next, we placed the meat into the pot to cook, allowing it to absorb the flavors of the hot pot broth. It didn’t take long to cook, and adding the meat to the broth also enriched the flavor, offering another way to enjoy it.

The pork belly can be lightly dipped or fully cooked in the pot. Absorbing the miso broth, along with the initial spicy kick, the broth grows richer and spicier the longer it simmers. Pingzi, who loves spicy food, really enjoys this Nagoya-style hot pot flavor.

Whether it’s pork or chicken, all the meats are incredibly tender. The chicken thigh meat is boneless, chewy, and delicious.

The king oyster mushrooms absorb the spicy miso broth, gaining extra spiciness. King oyster mushrooms are definitely a hot pot essential—their chewy texture makes them so tasty.

The wild vegetables soak up the spicy hot pot broth, giving the greens an extra kick. The whole thing is delightfully spicy, and the vegetables are crisp and delicious.

After finishing these hot pot ingredients, you can try drinking the spicy broth. It has a rich, thick miso flavor. One sip is packed with a deep, salty, bean-like richness—a truly unique broth.

Finally, scoop out the excess broth in preparation for making zousui (rice porridge).

The staff will remove any uneaten toppings from the pot and place them in a bowl.

The essentials for zousui—spoons, bowls, plates, rice, eggs, and chopped green onions—are served.

It’s best to reserve some of the most flavorful broth. You can choose from a cheese rice dish, zousui, ramen, or udon as a combination. Pingzi opted for zousui.

First, add the white rice, stirring while cooking to prevent sticking. Then pour in the egg, and finally add the chopped green onions.

When the rice and egg become thick and creamy, it’s ready to eat. The spicy broth combined with the zousui is incredibly unique. The rice grains are distinct, the thickened flavor is rich, and the green onions add a fragrant aroma. All the essence is right here—it’s so good you’ll want another bowl.

For dessert, there’s a treat that’s cool on the outside but warm and passionate on the inside, available in two flavors: sweet potato and taro.

Bite into the vanilla ice cream on the outside—it’s cool and refreshing—while the warm filling of sweet potato or taro inside is sweet but not cloying, with a soft, smooth texture and layers of flavor. The most special part is the contrast between the cold and hot elements, making this dessert truly extraordinary. The whole meal was absolutely delicious. Although Nagoya’s spicy hot pot has a bit of heat, this flavor is unforgettable and even better suited for autumn and winter. You’ll definitely feel warm and cozy after eating it. Start planning your pilgrimage here now.

Akakara Hot Pot (Akakara ATT2)

Xinyi ATT Branch: 4F, No. 12, Songshou Rd., Xinyi District, Taipei City.
Business hours: Monday–Sunday 11:00–22:00.
Reservation hotline: 02-7737-0999.

Zhongshan Flagship Branch: No. 71, Section 1, Zhongshan N. Rd., Zhongshan District, Taipei City.
Business hours: Monday–Friday 17:00–24:00, Saturday–Sunday 11:30–24:00.
Reservation hotline: 02-2523-8922.

Upssmile Pingzi (Up’s Smile / Upward Smile)!
She is a designer and also a photographer for Up’s Smile Travel, Food, Design & Photography.
Passionate about “travel,” “food,” “design,” and “photography/film.”