The Taste of My Uncle’s Hometown - This old establishment for sour cabbage and pork belly hot pot, located in Taipei and coming from Taichung, has a broth that is sufficiently sour and strong, making it a place worth trying at least once.
[Restaurant Environment] 2/5
This time we dined at a round table for six. The restaurant environment is quite spacious, and I thought it would be crowded at night, but there were actually fewer patrons during our meal. The decor seems a bit outdated, revealing that it has been around for quite some time. There was a faint musty smell in some corners.
[Sour Cabbage and Pork Belly Hot Pot Broth] 5/5
The sour cabbage is quite sour with distinct layers, and the broth becomes richer the longer it’s cooked. There's plenty of sour cabbage in the pot; even after eating until the end, there was still some left. Anyone who enjoys sour cabbage and pork belly hot pot will not be disappointed with the broth.
[Meat & Dish Ratings] 3/5
The pork belly with skin is the star of the sour cabbage and pork belly hot pot. The meat is tender and delicious, and the skin is subtle, not overshadowing the flavors of the fatty and lean pork. In contrast, the Matsusaka pork slices have an ordinary texture and are somewhat tough. The flavor and texture of the pork loin are commendable. Both the sirloin and beef short ribs are above average in quality.
You must try the tofu skin; it pairs very well with the sour cabbage and pork belly hot pot. Baby bok choy is also quite refreshing. The scallop balls are impressive.
[Alcohol Options]
The beer selection is limited, only Taiwan Beer and Heineken are available, with a draft Heineken beer tap.
[In-Store Service] 1.5/5
The service aspect is lacking. When we, a party of six, were seated, we wanted to order steamed rice, but the staff could only provide three bowls and said the rest was still cooking, which would take at least half an hour. The point is, we had made a reservation, and the restaurant was not full; shouldn’t they have prepared enough rice based on the expected number of diners? Isn't it basic to have rice available with hot pot?
We also wanted to order seafood, but there were no fish slices available, making the material preparation seem insufficient.
📌 Summary
In summary, this is an old restaurant with acceptable broth and dishes, but it indeed requires improvements in service and facilities. I came for the sour cabbage and pork belly hot pot, which is quite good, but overall the experience was not extraordinary, particularly because of the disappointing service. I might not visit again anytime soon.