Elixir Health Pot (無老鍋)

Address:  No. 143, Section 3, Shìmín Blv, Jhongshan Distract.d 台北市市民大道三段143號

Telephone: 02-2731-7927

Website: http://www.wulao.com.tw/

All men may be created equal (lies i know), but thank god that animal meat isn't subject to such ridiculous notions of parity. We can taste the difference between a cow and a pig, but it's not for me to judge which one is better, but when it comes to tasting the quality of the meat itself, then I'm gonna have to take issue if you're claiming that certain slabs of meat are comparable to others.  

This is all to say that Elixir Health Pot (無老鍋) takes tremendous pride in the quality of the ingredients that they use, and it is immediately visible in not just how the food tastes, but in how it is presented and the way the food just almost freaking shines off the platters.

Combination Pot.. Pretty amazing 

Ambiance.

The white creamy soup is comprised of a mix of Japanese Meiji ice cream (no.. really), tofu based broth and other herbal ingredients.  It really is a rather innovative soup base and the meat pulled from such a concoction is delicious.  The other soup base is meant to be spicy and the ingredients used by Elixir Health Pot is meant to promote metabolism and all that other healthy jazz.  Okay, the fact that they are playing up the health angle so hard sure is admirable... but we all know of healthy restaurants that tastes like your eating directly from the bark of a tree.  For me.. the fact that the food is meant to promote health is just a bonus to the great quality of the food and just the overall feel of the restaurant itself.

Their famous 'tofu ice cream'.

Your meal comes equipped with broth refills on the table and an endless supply of tofu skin and duck blood.  If your anything like me, the idea of duck blood might not be entirely pleasant.  But texture wise, it is a good balance to the meat and other poultry and meat balls that you will invariably order during your meal.  Unlike many of the other tradition hot pot restaurants found in Taiwan, Elixir Health Pot (無老鍋) offers lighter fair in the selection of sauces.  Typically i would have a gripe with this, but given the slightly more delicate nature of the food here, I believe that going lighter in flavoring is definitely the correct choice here.

Dumplings, Mushrooms and what i believe was scallop paste. 

I love me some sauces, but a heavy hand would've been wrong.

Broth in the back... the more important liquid in the front.

Being from the States... i'm use to having food thrown at you and the wait staff quickly disappearing after my meal is delivered.  I'm almost uncomfortable with the level of service in many of the establishments here in Taiwan.. but it is something they pride themselves on and as well they should.  Elixir Health Pot (無老鍋) does a tremendous job of constantly being present without being intrusive.  During my two visits here I immediately noticed how friendly and helpful the wait staff are, and how incredibly attentive they are to making sure you have a fantastic dining experience.  Perhaps i'll run into this type of service in the top of the top restaurants here, but for a hot pot place... i felt it was worth mentioning as it made a lasting impression on my mind.

 Digging In

 Their famous meat.  Comes almost precooked.. lightly dip it in broth and your ready to go.  Comes in a mountain of ice.  Fancy Pants.

So considering all the smoke I just blew straight up the butt of this place... you might expect to pay through the nose.  And to a certain degree you may be right, but only in comparison to how cheaply you could eat in some other places.  I found that the prices, although not cheap, were incredibly reasonable for the quality.  Just be forewarned that you might want to make reservations well in advance as Elixir Health Pot (無老鍋) is very popular and especially so during the winter months.

Top it off with a nice icy drink.

Based on personal preference... I would go to the AYCE hot places more often than not.  But that's just an indictment of my own fattiness than anything else.  Elixir Health Pot (無老鍋) is deserving of its accolades and its popularity.  The place brings ingenuity to its line up of selections across the board and manages do it with food that is incredibly tasty.

Overall Elixir Health Pot (無老鍋) recieves: 

Til next time - some more treats for your eyeballs.