Nuan Nuan is TW Hot Pot and Milk Tea With an Interactive Twist
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Beijingers no longer need to cross any water to taste the unique twist on hot pot that is enjoyed in Taiwan. Settling into the neighborhood just east of Workers’ Gymnasium, Taiwanese hot pot joint Nuan Nuan has embraced a theme that shows off various aspects of the island’s society and culture, not least of which its train lines, with the northern city from which the restaurant derives its name featured most prominently.
Come ye wishers and leave your wishes at the wishing tree!
Up to now, you may or may not have associated Taiwan with, if I may partake in the amusement of translating the sign at the entrance literally, “pot things,” but I bet you’ll have associated it with Nuan Nuan’s other specialty, “tea things,” or milk tea. Personally, I’m more likely to opt for the Taiwan Beer upon my next visit, but it’s admittedly refreshing to enjoy a hot milk tea in a mug rather than in the plastic cups that we’re all used to, and the colder teas are nice with a healthy helping of the shop’s large boba.
Hot teas and hot pots are ready to keep you warm this winter
A couple of interesting soups are on offer, such as the pineapple chicken pot or the Taiwan sesame oil pot, as well as some “spicy” options, such as the Taiwanese mala pot, (with free unlimited tofu and duck blood!) though these will hardly cause pain to any mouth accustomed to genuine spice. All of these are served in an above-the-table pot on an electric stove.
It may look spicy, but trust me, you can handle it
But for those concerned that this will be just another hot pot, rest assured, that is not the case. From the traditional shacha sauce at the dipping sauce booth to the cheese-filled bao, this ain’t your (Beijinger or Sichuanese) mama’s hot pot, although there are, of course, plenty of familiar veggies and meats on the menu.
In addition to the tofu and fish balls Beijingers are familiar with, this sampler includes fish egg wrapped in tofu, cheese bao, and egg dumplings
A couple of other boilables worth a mention: The squid in squid ink is served in a gaseous bubble, allowing diners who are so inclined to snap a pic before the bubble pops. But the real fun is had with the tofu wraps – in addition to writing your wish on a piece of plywood and hanging it on the restaurant's wish tree, you can order sheets of tofu and write your wish in squid ink, then wrap the wish around a thicker square of tofu and pop it in the pot. How’s that for a wishing well?
A smoky haze lingers around the squid after the bubble pops
Don’t worry, you won’t be judged too harshly for writing in English
In all, Nuan Nuan does more than just add a bit of variety to a saturated hot pot market. The venue manages to step up what makes hot pot so fun in the first place – the interactivity of cooking the food yourself, and as such, it’s a welcome addition to central Beijing dining.Nuan Nuan
16 Wangjiayuan Hutong, Chaoyang District
朝阳区王家园胡同16号
READ: LEO by FLO is Beijing's Fresh-Made Pasta Dream Come True
Images: Joey Knotts
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