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I actually haven't seen this store anywhere else, but from the explanations of the staff, it feels like other branches must be quite well-known too. This branch is located in Gubei Water Town, so actually there aren’t many customers on weekdays. In the absence of customers, they seem to take extra care in serving us. From the moment we walked in, an auntie was very polite and took care of everything for us. The restaurant has both indoor and outdoor seating, and on a good day, I think sitting outside to enjoy the river view would be quite nice!
Through the introduction from the staff, we ordered..
❤️ Sea bass set meal
This set meal mainly includes corn tortillas 🌮, grilled fish, dried plum juice, some side dishes, and several toppings next to the grilled fish. Overall, we found the ingredients to be relatively fresh, and the portion of toppings was quite generous. Even the side dishes had a fresh bean taste 🫘, which was quite tasty! If I had to point out a downside, I would say it is slightly heavy on flavor, especially when the soup sauce is almost dry, the grilled fish 🐟 and other toppings become quite salty. However, the portion of grilled fish is actually quite sufficient, and the fish meat is very tender and springy, which is exactly the taste you'd expect from deep-sea fish! Based on my experience eating grilled fish, I would hope for a bit more variety in the surrounding toppings, and I would prefer the flavor not to be so overwhelmingly salty. Ideally, I’d love to taste the sweetness of the fish, or on the other hand, a slight spiciness would add more depth to the dish!
Overall, I think it’s quite good. The price 💰 might be a bit on the higher side, but the portion sizes are really sufficient. Those who usually enjoy stronger flavors will probably find it very satisfying. I recommend it for those who visit Gubei Water Town!
This restaurant, located in a lane in Macau, is a famous hot pot place called "Win to Porridge." Although the name might suggest it specializes in porridge, it actually focuses on hot pot, especially their famous Clam Soup Hot Pot, which is a must-try delicacy when visiting Macau. This time, the three of us dined there and made a reservation in advance via WhatsApp, but the only available slot was at 10:30 PM. Thankfully, it was close to our hotel, so we made it just in time.
Food details and impressions:
Clam Soup Hot Pot ($188) - A must-order
A signature dish! The amount of clams is incredibly generous, and each one is plump and sweet. As soon as the soup base arrives, a delightful aroma fills the air, complemented by a generous amount of minced garlic and chili peppers. After simmering the vegetables and meat, the flavor of the broth intensifies, making it delicious until the last drop.
Hand-Pulled Chicken ($128) - A must-order
Must be reserved in advance. The surface is generously sprinkled with mustard, which has a strong and spicy aroma that is very distinctive. The first bite is a bit overwhelming, but it compels you to keep eating; don't miss it if you love bold flavors.
Salt and Pepper Corn ($58) - A must-order
Golden corn segments are lightly fried, bringing out the flavors of salt, pepper, and sweet peppers. Its refreshing taste makes it perfect as an appetizer or as a side dish with the hot pot.
Black Pork ($88)
Well-marbled and tender, it simply needs to be briefly cooked before being dipped in the soup for a delicious taste.
Shrimp Paste ($88)
The freshly made shrimp paste is bouncy and firm and has a distinct shrimp flavor. It adds value as an ingredient for the hot pot.
Baby Napa Cabbage ($38)
Pre-cut for convenience. It absorbs the essence of the clam soup, making it particularly sweet.
White Radish ($35)
Cut very thin, it easily absorbs flavors after cooking and becomes especially sweet when soaked in the broth.
Overall Evaluation:
Although the location is inconspicuous, this place is very popular. The freshness and quantity of the Clam Soup Hot Pot leave a strong impression, along with the bold flavor of the Mustard Hand-Pulled Chicken, creating a diverse range of flavors and a variety of dishes overall. The environment may not be upscale, but the old style of the restaurant has its own charm. If you enjoy seafood hot pot and bold flavors, you must add this restaurant to your must-try list in Macau.
Remember, the Hand-Pulled Chicken must be reserved in advance, or you almost won't be able to get it on-site!
[Foodholic Niko@Taipei]
"Kaifan Chuan Restaurant" is a restaurant that my family or friends and I often choose for dining together. This time, we came specifically for the collaboration dishes created by Chef Zheng Zhishan from the Korean variety show "Black and White Chefs."
Spicy Creamy Golden Shrimp Balls $320
There are only three pieces in a serving, and to be honest, it is quite expensive. However, the shrimp is pretty large, and with the crispy fried outer layer dipped in spicy creamy sauce, it is indeed delicious. Yet, perhaps my expectations were too high, so it didn’t reach the level of being “super delicious” that I would come to the restaurant to have specifically.
Bird’s Nest Caramel Pumpkin Pudding $130
This dish has very mixed reviews online; many say it's more about creativity. But maybe because I had low expectations, I found it quite tasty! The base is made of pumpkin, so the pudding is sweet without being sickly. Its softness is just right, and the top layer of caramel is hard, so you have to be careful not to hurt your mouth or tongue. The texture is a bit like cotton candy melting in your mouth.
Spicy Crispy Pork $340
This dish is also a new limited-time item. At first bite, I thought the crispy pork was a bit too hard, but it became more addictive with each bite. There’s a nice fragrance from the fried flour when you chew. However, the accompanying spicy seasoning powder didn’t really add to the taste for me; it was a bit lacking in quality and you could skip it.
Kung Pao Chicken $320
When this dish was served, it was loaded with chilies. I initially comforted myself thinking they were just for decoration, but it turned out to be quite spicy. In my opinion, it has a medium level of spiciness and is somewhat salty, needing rice and drinks to balance it out. The chicken wasn’t as tender this time.
Sichuan Pepper Fried Egg $290
I order this dish every time. It's a fried egg with a runny yolk, and it goes really well with white rice. However, it is quite spicy too, reaching from mild to medium spiciness.
Dry-Fried Green Beans $290
The green beans weren’t very crispy and had a soft texture, but I actually liked it. They also stir-fried some minced meat into the dish, making it easy to eat a lot of white rice.
I personally think this place is quite suitable for larger groups, but if there are only 2-3 people, it’s not as appropriate since most dishes are on the saltier and spicier side, and each portion is quite large. So either you end up ordering too little and feel a bit empty, or you order too much and end up too full and greasy.
For example, when we dined as two people this time, we accidentally ordered five dishes and a dessert, and almost half of it had to be packed up because we simply couldn’t finish. Plus, we kept wanting to drink more.
Fortunately, "Kaifan Chuan Restaurant" offers a cranberry drink to help alleviate the heaviness, and you can refill it as much as you want, which is definitely a plus!
When you come to Beijing, everyone definitely wants to try Peking Duck. There are quite a few famous restaurants for Peking Duck, and the one that has always been highly praised by everyone is Si Ji Min Fu! It is said to be the most difficult Peking Duck restaurant to get a seat, but luckily they have many branches. I happen to live in a relatively famous tourist area, and there are two restaurants within 10 kilometers! So, I made a reservation through WeChat's public account. As long as you are within the range, you can get a number online! I got my number around 4 PM, and there were already over forty tables ahead of me. We were seated in the restaurant around 5:30 PM!
Once you enter the restaurant, you can see a lot of people waiting in line. The staff will call you in order according to the number you received. While waiting, there are drinks and side dishes available to use! Basically, you won't be hungry or thirsty for a short time!
Today we ordered the most classic dish:
❤️ Half a Roasted Duck
When coming here for Peking Duck, most people will order half a duck. If you order a whole duck, the bone can become a dish on its own, but since we didn't have enough people, we just got half. The pancake and the dipping sauce for the duck need to be ordered separately, which I feel is a bit unreasonable as it gives a sense of forced spending. However, the flavor of the roasted duck is actually quite good; it's not too oily and has a subtle fragrance. The duck meat is sliced very thinly, so I didn't get to enjoy much of the duck juice flavor, which is a bit disappointing! Overall, I feel that the cost-performance ratio is not high enough; if you want to eat here often, your wallet needs to be a bit fuller!
❤️ Cold Dressed Pea Shoots
This dish is said to be a commonly ordered cold dish by diners. The flavor is a tangy, sweet, and salty sensation, and some crispy fried bits are added on top to enhance the texture. Personally, I highly recommend this cold dish, as it is simple, appetizing, and can be considered a healthy cold dish!
We also ordered another side dish, but I forgot the name. It's mainly made from pig's trotters and resembles a dish similar to pig's trotter jelly. It has a nice QQ bouncing texture. It's just a pity that the portion is a bit small; otherwise, the dipping sauce is quite special, and it pairs well with it!
Overall, I actually recommend it, but since it is primarily a Peking Duck restaurant, I think the duck part should be made to feel more worthwhile! I recommend that those visiting Beijing can also book online to give it a try!
Fushunlou Houshanpi Branch is located near the Houshanpi MRT station; you can get there in less than a minute by crossing the road after exiting the station.
The exterior features a striking large red sign, exuding the charm of a traditional restaurant.
This time, I ordered the tendon and sea cucumber takeout, priced at 338 TWD.
Tendon and Sea Cucumber:
The tendon is stewed to a soft, tender consistency, and it has a smooth texture that’s not greasy. The gelatinous quality is evident, and it’s chewy yet easy to bite. The sea cucumber is cleaned well and has no strange fishy smell; each bite is full of rich braised flavor after absorbing the sauce.
The braised sauce is slightly sweet with a touch of saltiness, rich without being overly salty, and pouring it over white rice is quite a luxurious treat. The vegetables are also decent, with beans and carrots providing a refreshing crunch.
The dining environment is a typical old-school Chinese restaurant style, with large round tables and red tablecloths. On weekday evenings, the place isn't lacking in patrons, and the takeout service is relatively efficient.
Overall, it’s a traditional Chinese restaurant where the prices match the quality. Although the dish I chose today is a bit on the pricier side, it cannot be denied that the ingredients are indeed expensive.
Why not order some other dishes as well? That evening, we already had dinner at home and just wanted to add a little something from a restaurant. 😅
Highly recommended to everyone!
During this visit to Ma Shan Tang, I ordered spicy beef rice noodles, duck blood stinky tofu, and pan-fried dumplings. The beef noodle soup was fragrant, spicy, and rich, with the beef slices paired with duck blood and tofu skin providing a rich texture; the spiciness was noticeable but not overwhelming. The duck blood tofu was soft and flavorful, enhanced by the green onions; the pan-fried dumplings had a thin, crispy skin, with a perfectly charred base and a generous filling. Overall, the flavor was good, and the portion size was adequate.
Although the dining environment inside the restaurant seemed a bit cramped and chaotic, the turnover rate was quick, making it suitable for a fast meal. There were many options, making it ideal for those who enjoy spicy flavors without wanting something too heavy.
Minimum spending of 150 yuan per person.
Tea aroma and food quality are stable:
At the Yonghua branch of Tainan Gengdu Garden, the Tieguanyin tea I ordered had a warm aroma, and the unsweetened tea was refreshing and pleasant. The taste was standard; while not stunning, it was simple and delicious, leaving one feeling comfortable and satisfied.
- Food choices are suitable for sharing:
The portion sizes of the dishes are just right, making it easy for multiple people to taste, ideal for family or friends gatherings, allowing for a relaxed shared dining experience. - Relaxing and pleasant environment:
The restaurant has a quaint charm, with wooden decor and a courtyard-style design surrounded by greenery. The setting is quiet and comfortable; while there may not be anything particularly stunning, it allows guests to relax and enjoy a leisurely dining time. - Overall experience is warm:
The staff are friendly and attentive, creating a warm atmosphere that is suitable for food lovers looking for a comfortable place to dine.
This "Little Red Guy Dry Pot" is located on Zhongyi Road in Tainan. Its exterior and decoration have a bit of design flair, and it specializes in bold-flavored Sichuan dry pots, with quite a few Google reviews. The ratings are high, but I found the actual food to be just okay.
First, we ordered a mildly spicy dry pot, but it turned out to be completely non-spicy—there was really no kick at all. For me, it was just a salty and savory pot. The tofu skin and dried tofu inside were quite tasty, well-seasoned, and had a good texture. However, we ordered white rice, but the staff forgot to bring it, resulting in a missed order. Luckily, we noticed it when we counted our dishes. Later, I checked the Google reviews and found that many people mentioned this place often missing items, and we were among the unlucky ones.
I originally thought the "mouth-watering chicken" would be served hot, but when it arrived at the table, it was cold and came with a packet of sauce. Surprisingly, it tasted quite good—the chicken was tender and the sauce flavorful. The duck blood was more ordinary; it wasn't particularly impressive but not unpleasant either.
Overall, I think the food at this restaurant is acceptable, but the prices are on the high side, the service is chaotic, and there’s a long wait time. It's not the kind of place that makes you want to return, especially in Tainan, where the food scene is incredibly vibrant. I really don’t want to wait an hour here again.
📍 Zhongshan District, Taipei City (MRT Zhongshan Station)
Mita Group's specialty store for sour fish 🐠🥬
The location is in a slightly older building. The decor looks nice at first glance, but the seats have a bit of an old feel. However, the seats are relatively spacious with decent distance between them, making it quite comfortable.
🥘
Order items:
🐟 Sichuan-style sour fish + pork belly + lotus root for 2-3 people ($782):
I ordered using my phone. When the staff introduced the menu, they always recommended the double portion set, which looked quite large.
I wanted to focus on eating sour fish, so I ordered the sour fish a la carte with some preferred ingredients. Compared to the typical double-portion set, this one's portion is bigger and just right for two people.
Compared to the picky eaters who need extra broth to suit their taste, this restaurant's sour fish is slightly on the lighter side in terms of seasoning. It's quite good, not very spicy, with a smooth broth that you can drink.
🍳 Tear-inducing egg ($168):
Made up of four runny fried eggs, cooked to a medium softness, it's very delicious paired with white rice. The sauce is slightly sweet with a hint of spiciness.
🍚 White rice ($20)
🍄
Would I visit again: Possibly 🤔
This time, there was no reservation needed on a holiday, and we could sit down right away. If I can't find a restaurant in Zhongshan next time, this could be a consideration.
✏️
Note:
🔸 A service charge of 10% will be added.
The atmosphere is comfortable. Parking is not very easy; there’s a paid parking lot about 300 meters away. The waiter kindly asked if we wanted to order a rice set meal. Every time I go to the spring water hall's street-side shop, I feel like I might get lost on the way to the restroom. I ordered the five-spice vegetarian noodles for $100. I really liked the finely chopped mushrooms in the savory sauce! The three-dipping little mochi is $80 and is a unique black sugar mochi, just the right size for one bite. Today, I ordered a lightly sweetened bubble tea, but it tasted like it had no sugar, so I took it back and asked them to add some sugar 😅.
☆ Medium-sized drinks are 15% off for dine-in on weekdays!
*If you don't know what to eat, the quality of vegetarian food at Spring Water Hall is generally stable.
#Vegetarian