湯棧 公益店

Taichung can be said to be a heaven for hot pot lovers, as you can find almost any type of hot pot you desire. This large hot pot restaurant under the Kiyosato brand, called Soup Station, offers a variety of unique broth bases. It's definitely a no-brainer to come here with friends; the flavors range from sesame oil, rice wine, peeled chili, kombu, to satay and vegetarian options, catering to all preferences.

Despite the strong aroma of sesame oil being quite tempting, I couldn’t resist ordering it even in the sweltering summer. For sesame oil hot pot, I felt chicken should be the right pairing, but I eventually chose beef belly instead. The thickness of the meat slices was just right, and after a few dips, I could enjoy the tender beef, leaving me quite satisfied.

The flavor of sesame oil thoroughly enveloped all the ingredients in the hot pot. Whether it was vegetables, tofu skin, mushrooms, or meat slices, every bite was filled with the rich aroma of sesame oil.

My friend opted for the peeled chili broth, which was comparatively subtler in richness; however, it did contain a whole peeled chili, giving it a fragrant mild spiciness. If it were winter, this would definitely be a warm and comforting choice.

Soup Station also offers a complimentary special drink—winter melon tea. It’s delicious, cold, fragrant, sweet, and not watery at all, making it a perfect match with the Taiwanese flavors of sesame oil and peeled chili.

We had made a reservation in advance, so we didn’t have to wait too long, but if you go without a reservation, it might not be a good idea. Overall, Soup Station left a very good impression on me, and in the future, if I get the chance, I would also love to try other broth flavors like rice wine and satay, which also look quite appealing!