Xihu Azhi Mutton Hot Pot

Review

Xihu Azhi Mutton sits on Zhongxi Road near the back gate of the Xihu Sugar Factory, about ten minutes' drive from the Xihu interchange, and is a well-known name in the northern Xihu mutton hot pot cluster. Unlike the usual image of an old mutton shop, the dining room is spacious and bright, with plenty of round and square tables; staff seat you by group size and tables turn over quickly. Several parking lots surround it, so there is no circling for a spot, and a separate takeaway counter keeps takeout customers out of the dining crowd.

The star is the herbal mutton hot pot. A blogger recorded the base at NT$700, with a choice of sliced or bone-in mutton, and add-ons from NT$50 up to NT$700. The broth is light on herbs and neither oily nor salty, mild enough for children. The mutton slices arrive already cooked with a little chew and go best with the house chili sauce. Supertaste recommends the stir-fried mutton with water spinach, which can be made spicier on request. Staff wheel a cart to the table so you can pick side dishes and extras on the spot.

Praise centers on the smooth broth, easy parking, plentiful seating and warm service, and one blogger said they would return. Complaints: the mutton portions are small and prices are mid-to-high; the dry noodles clump and taste bland, so loosen them with broth; and first-timers may find several plates brought out before ordering, so say what you want as soon as you sit down. An older post also noted that takeout offered only sliced mutton with no mixing of cuts.

It opens roughly 10:30 am to 8 pm and closes on Wednesdays, with no time limit and no minimum spend. Drinks, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, are self-serve from the fridge. It is not on delivery apps, so for eating at home order at the takeaway counter.

It suits families driving to Xihu with grandparents and kids. Order the herbal hot pot with sliced or bone-in mutton, add a plate of stir-fried mutton with water spinach and some noodles, and tell staff your choices right away to avoid extra plates.