暖肴火鍋

Located on Victory Street 8 in Zhubei, Nuanyang Hot Pot shares a building with a barbecue restaurant owned by the same boss. Next to the restaurant is a large public parking lot; however, since it is a public facility, restaurant purchases do not offset the parking fees.

We visited on a Sunday afternoon. Although it was a holiday, there weren't many people there, and we basically didn't need a reservation; there were still quite a few empty tables. The dining space is spacious and bright, with a large floor-to-ceiling window and high ceilings, allowing for excellent natural lighting, and the overall atmosphere is clean and comfortable. Additionally, private seating is available, and we noticed a lot of children present, complete with kid-friendly tableware, making it very suitable for family gatherings or small get-togethers with friends.

The three of us chose the "A5 Wagyu Beef Three-Person Set." For the base broth, we selected the special spicy broth and chicken white broth. The spicy broth performed exceptionally well; it was rich in flavor without being overwhelmingly spicy. We particularly recommend the duck blood and tofu inside, which are outstanding and absorb the broth nicely, providing a smooth texture. Each pot comes with four pieces of duck blood and tofu, which is ample for the three of us, but those who feel it's not enough can order extras. The chicken white broth is relatively refreshing and serves to balance the spiciness.

Appetizers were served first, consisting of three options, one serving for each person, but we could request more. Following that were the basic ingredients, with three options to choose from for three people. We selected the vegetable platter, Matsusaka pork, and snowflake beef. The vegetable platter had a smaller portion but was unlimited for refills, featuring fresh veggies like loofah, mushrooms, and cabbage for a healthier choice. Regarding the meat, the snowflake beef had an even distribution of marbling, while the Matsusaka pork was chewy and not greasy, both performing above average.

The A5 Wagyu beef is the highlight of this set, including four cuts: chuck, shoulder flap, flank steak, and ribeye. The meat is tender with a well-balanced fat distribution, offering a rich mouthfeel. Since it has more fat, those with smaller appetites or who eat too fast might find it a bit heavy. It is advisable to pair it with the chamomile tea provided in the restaurant, which can effectively cleanse the palate, making it a better match than the sweeter plum juice or orange juice for hot pot.

For dessert, we recommend the fresh milk soft serve, which has digestive biscuits underneath, topped with strawberry crisp and dried orange, creating a rich variety of textures and delightful aromas, making for a high-quality finish. In contrast, the Mont Blanc is relatively sweet, which might be a bit heavy for those who are not fond of sweets.

Overall, the quality of ingredients and dining experience are above standard, with the spicy broth and A5 Wagyu beef being the most impressive. However, from a value-for-money perspective, the portion sizes in this set are on the larger side; the three of us, with smaller appetites, couldn't finish everything, leaving some beef and Matsusaka pork, which felt a bit wasteful. We suggest that those with smaller appetites consider the two-person set instead, as it's easy to overestimate one's capacity.

In conclusion: Fresh ingredients, decent service, and a comfortable space make it suitable for gatherings or celebrations, but the price point is relatively high, and its uniqueness is slightly lacking, making it more appropriate for those who value quality and occasionally treat themselves to hot pot.