A-Ming Mutton Restaurant

Review

A-Ming Mutton is on Section 2 of Yuanlu Road in Xihu. Supertaste writes that it has been open since 1958, making it one of the most senior shops in the Xihu mutton cluster, and it is often compared with Azhi and A-Show. A large parking lot sits beside it, and it has an official website; an older blog notes that the area, near the Yuanlin interchange and County Road 148, has a whole cluster of mutton shops that is easy to reach by car.

There are three broths to choose from. The ginger broth Supertaste ordered was light, with little gamey smell, while an older blog described the herbal broth as quite rich. Meat comes lean, skin-on or mixed; the skin-on mutton has springy skin and tender meat, and the goat cheek meat is rich in collagen with a bouncy bite and is listed as a must-order, though its seasoning is heavy. The dry noodles come in a big portion with a glossy, oily texture, and sesame oil noodles are also available. Vegetables arrive as several plates at once, and you can ask staff to take away the ones you do not want.

Fans like the lively old-shop atmosphere and the range of cuts, and an older blogger favored it for its richer broth, proper receipts and the option to mix cuts for takeout. On the other hand, the cheek meat is heavily seasoned and not for everyone, and some diners find prices high and the setting dated. An older post recorded the herbal hot pot at NT$500, but that was the 2012 price; no source lists current prices, so check on site.

It opens roughly 9 am to 8 pm, earlier than many nearby shops, so it works for a late-morning meal too. The parking lot is big, so it is relatively easy to park even when families crowd in on holidays. With vegetables served by the plate, look them over first and simply ask staff to remove any you will not eat.

It suits anyone after a long-established Xihu mutton shop or keen to try unusual cuts. Order the ginger or herbal broth with skin-on mutton and a plate of goat cheek, then finish with dry noodles.