Welcome back my friends, today I’ll be introducing to you the best mini hotpot in Taipei.
If you’ve ever been to Taiwan, then you’ll probably know that Taiwanese people love their hotpot. It’s practically the national food. We eat hotpot when it’s cold outside and we eat hotpot when it’s hot outside…while having the ac on full blast. Hotpot is a business that thrives all year long.
When it comes to mini hotpot though, I find that things can get a little tricky. The quality often drops; I’m talking watery, flavored down soup, and ingredients that taste like they’ve been buried in the freezer for a decade, which is disappointing cuz what’s a girl gotta do when she’s hungry and wants a little hotpot alone but can’t commit to a giant feast she can’t finish?
Well, if you’re reading this, you’re in luck! I’ve literally found the best local mini hotpot in Taipei tucked away in the streets of Gongguan, just a five minute walk from NTU (National Taiwan University).
Rongchen mini mala hotpot 容城麻辣mini火鍋 (save this on your google maps because you won’t be able to find the name in English!!) is exactly what you want in a mini hotpot. Hearty, flavorful broth with fresh ingredients. It feels just like your grandma’s cooking, and the best part is- it’s pet friendly! I just love restaurants where my dogs are welcome.
In the restaurant you’ll find self serve area filled with Taiwanese hotpot essentials: drinks, ice cream, braised pork rice, hotpot dipping sauce, and all you can eat instant noodles for all you hungry kids. Instant noodles is one of my favorite foods to add to my hotpot, I like to dip mine into the broth for just under a minute so that it gives just the right amount of crunch (I prefer my noodles hard).
The hotpot itself comes in a variety of flavors, my personal favorite is the pickled cabbage hotpot and the stinky tofu hotpot. But you honestly can’t go wrong with anything you order here because all the ingredients are so fresh. They serve a very generous portion, so if you’re not a big eater, I wouldn’t recommend getting any other add ons. The fried egg on the hotpot is like the cherry on top, a delicious treat you won’t find at other hotpot restaurants.
This is definitely the best mini hotpot in Taipei I’ve been to, and if you’re in the area, definitely come try it out!
xoxo,
Emily
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