Time-honored spicy hot pot restaurant 🥘【Dingwang Spicy Hot Pot Shop 1, No. 251】

#September2025 #SpicyHotPot

[Dingwang Spicy Hot Pot, Branch 1, No. 251], located in Taipei's Da'an District, is a long-established spicy hot pot restaurant with a history of over 30 years.

🌶️ Restaurant Features and Atmosphere

• Conveniently located near Da'an MRT Station, about a 5-minute walk away.

• While not spacious, the seating arrangement is well-appointed, making it suitable for groups of two or more.

• It's not an all-you-can-eat restaurant; it's a la carte menu. The hot pot base is charged per person, and duck blood and tofu are refillable.

• Reservations are recommended, as dinner is often fully booked.

🍲 Recommended Broth and Hot Pot Ingredients

Yuanyang Hot Pot (approximately NT$160 per person)

• The spicy broth base is made with beef bone broth, beef tallow, Dahongpao peppercorns, and Chinese medicinal herbs. The spiciness is adjustable, with a mild, non-irritating flavor and a rich aroma. • The white broth, made with beef bones and vegetables, is sweet and refreshing, perfect with vegetables and mushrooms.

Duck Blood and Tofu (included in the hot pot)

• The duck blood is smooth and jelly-like, while the tofu is perfectly cooked. Both are refillable, making them a highlight of Ding Wang.

🐓 Hidden Signature: Chicken Feet

• NT$40 per chicken, braised until the meat falls apart from the bone, melts in your mouth, and is rich in gelatin.
• Not on the menu, ask the staff. Dine-in only, no takeout.
• Known as "Taipei's best braised chicken feet," once you try it, you'll be hooked.

🥩 Meat and Toppings

• Crispy Beef Breast NT$500: Soft and crispy, with a unique wrinkled texture after simmering.
• Marbled Beef NT$500: Evenly marinated and tender, but a little less impressive. • Mixed Vegetables NT$200: Includes shiitake mushrooms, winter melon, broccoli, and more. Fresh but on the small side.
• Healthy Mushroom Platter NT$200: Five varieties of mushrooms, including shiitake and king oyster mushrooms, perfect with a plain broth.

🧄 Recommended Dipping Sauces

• The restaurant's signature dipping sauce: a 3:1 ratio of white vinegar to sesame oil, garlic, and the spicy broth base. It's a great dip for meat or vegetables.
• However, the ingredients themselves are flavorful enough that you can enjoy their original flavors without the sauce.

Dingwang Spicy Hot Pot, Branch 1, No. 251, is a Taipei hot pot restaurant worth trying. The broth is rich and the ingredients are fresh, especially the duck blood and chicken feet. While prices are a bit high (average price per person: NT$800–1500), the overall dining experience is satisfying.