Review Rating: ⭐⭐ (Below Average)
Address: No. 206, Section 2, Liming Rd, Nantun District, Taichung City, Taiwan 408Google Map Link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/2wdNHgoXNYYGr6sK7
(Please refer to the Timings provided in the Google Map Link for the Operating Hours.)
Special Note: Apparently this Eatery don't operate All Months of the Year. 🗓️ They are available ONLY 7 Months of an Entire Year from September till End of March. They are Closed for the Rest of the Year so do take note of this. 🤔
🍒 鴨佛 (Duck Testicles) = TWD350 (S$14.50)
🥬 高丽菜 (Chinese Cabbage) = TWD60 (S$2.50)
No Service Charges
Here is the Full Menu of the Eatery/Restaurant.
Prices are Accurate as of the Date of the Post.
No Service Charges
Here is the Full Menu of the Eatery/Restaurant.Prices are Accurate as of the Date of the Post.
A Brief History of 薑母鴨 🫚🦆
Among Taiwanese Cuisines, Ginger Duck 薑母鴨 🫚🦆 is a Dish that we seldom hear about especially in Singapore and Malaysia. Its a Winter Dish that is commonly eaten during the Colder Periods of the Year to provide Warmth. ❄️ This is perhaps the Main Reason why we don't hear about this Dish often in our South-East Asia which is Perpetually Summer All-Year-Long. 🌞
The Mandarin Name can be abit Misleading, because most people will think that a Old Female Duck "母鴨" is used to cook this. 🦆 But in actuality, its how Taiwanese call Old Ginger as "薑母" or "老薑母" which is the Correct Term. 🫚 In Singapore (and Malaysia?), we usually call Old Ginger as "老薑", not "老薑母 " instead. 🤔
The Dish utilizes TCM Philosophy (Traditional Chinese Medicine) where it combines the "Heatiness" of Ginger 🫚 and the "Coolness" of Duck 🦆 to form a Balanced Combination to Warm and Comfort the Body during the Winter Periods. ❄️🌡️ The Old School Traditional Style of Cooking this Dish makes uses of Ginger Juice, 🫚 Rice Wine 🍾 and Duck Meat 🦆 stewed together. Nowadays, this Dish is treated more like a Hotpot in Most Eateries where people add whatever they like into it. 🫕
I've made this Dish before as you can see and I was of course eager to find out and taste how the Original Version tastes like in Taiwan. Which brings me to the Main Review.
The Interior of the Eatery
This was a Large Eatery located at the Corner of a Traffic Junction. 🛣️ When I was there on a Thursday Evening at around 5.00pm, there were no other Dine-In Customers beside me. 🤔 It was only until maybe 6.30pm after I finished my Meal that I find only 1 other Dine-In Customer.
The Place looks like it has some Age and serves 薑母鸭 Hotpot Style. 🫕 The Tables and Chair are the China-Styled Super Low Types. 🪑 If you've eaten at such Hotpots before, you will know that you are basically squatting to be able to sit down at such Low Baby Chairs. 🪑
Most Customers I see purchase Takeaway. 🛍️ And I noticed all of the Clientele are Older Middle-Aged Folks. I don't see any Young People eating this. 😅 I'm guessing this is a Dish that will appeal more to Older Folks? 🤔
Most Customers I see purchase Takeaway. 🛍️ And I noticed all of the Clientele are Older Middle-Aged Folks. I don't see any Young People eating this. 😅 I'm guessing this is a Dish that will appeal more to Older Folks? 🤔
Its not Airconditioned but that doesn't matter because it was Raining and the Outside Ambient Temperature was about 18C Cold. ❄️ The Perfect Temperature to eat a Hotpot like this. 😋
The Main Owners looked like a Pair of Older Couple with a Couple of Older 大姐 Staffs who were busy processing Ingredients. 🥬 They were Friendly and Welcoming and had a Warm and Friendly "Uncle and Auntie" sort of Vibe. 😄
I have no issues communicating with them in Mandarin. 🗣️ That said, I feel that Comms might be an Issue if you cannot speak Mandarin as they don't have any English Menu. 🤔 So do take note if you are thinking of eating here as a Non-Mandarin Speaker.
How to Order your Hotpot?
1) Just inform the Staffs that you would like a Standard Ginger Hotpot and look at the list of Add-On Ingredients on the Wall written in Chinese.
2) Choose whatever Add-Ons you want and go back to your Seat and Wait.
3) Your Hotpot will be set up for you at your Seat and Ingredients you ordered will be served up to you accordingly. 🫕 It took about 3 Mins for them to set up and serve up everything.
4) Once you've finished the Meal, go up to the Staff to pay. This place looks like it accepts Cash only. 💵 I don't see any options for Wireless Card Transaction. 💳🤔
Special Warning: The Staffs here will Upsell you Food Item Add-On even if you specifically requested not to. 🤔
Before coming to this place, I had already decided to only order 2 Items, namely the Actual Ginger Duck 薑母鸭 🫚🦆 and 鸭佛. 🍒 The Male Owner tried to upsell me and recommended me to order more Add-Ons. 🤔 This is understandable since this is a Hotpot and they really earn by selling more Add-Ons. He is Friendly when doing this Upsell. I rejected him nicely the First Time. 🙅♂️
After I made my Order and got back to my Seat, I overheard the Male Owner told his Wife about the Items I ordered. His Wife asked if I ordered Cabbage 高丽菜 🥬 and the Husband said No. So they asked me again if I wanted to Add-On Cabbage 高丽菜. 🥬 I told them "No" and rejected Add-Ons a Second Time. 🙅♂️
The Wife than followed up with: "吃薑母鸭怎么可以不吃高丽菜?"
(How can you not add Cabbage if you eat Ginger Duck?) 🤔
Even though I rejected 2 times, without my Consent they still Add-On Cabbage 高丽菜 🥬 for me even though I specifically did not request for it. 🤔 So if you are thinking of eating here, do note that they will do this even without your Consent. 🤔
Review of the Available Condiments
Usually for Hotpot, there would be Many Different Type of Condiments and Sauces. There are only 3 Condiments in this Place, White Pepper, Soy Sauce with Chiili 🌶️ and a Yellowish Sauce served in a Bottle.
Nothing particularly Special about the White Pepper and the Soy Sauce with Chilli Pieces, they taste exactly like how you'd imagine them to taste like. 🤔
The Yellowish Sauce is a Taucheo Bean Based Sauce 🫘 that is a Regular Sauce in Most Eateries in Taiwan. It has a Mix of Salty Sweet that is neither Too Salty nor Too Sweet. 🤔 Abit Foreign for our Palettes but nothing Overly Unusual. I reckon this is like Taiwanese Regular Go-To Sauce similar to how Most Malaysia JB Eateries use Garlic Chilli as a Condiment. 😋
Here are the Total List of Food Items in this Hotpot which I will Review Individually.
🦆 薑母鴨 (Ginger Duck) = TWD350 (S$14.50)
🍒 鴨佛 (Duck Testicles) = TWD350 (S$14.50)
🥬 高丽菜 (Chinese Cabbage) = TWD60 (S$2.50)
🥬 高丽菜 (Chinese Cabbage) = TWD60 (S$2.50)
The Item that was added without my Specific Consent. 🤔
Although this was an Upsell Item that I did not want, I was impressed with how much I was served. 👍 I had expected like maybe a Regular Sized Plate of Pre-Cut Veggies, but its really a Gigantic Huge Half-Head of Cabbage. 😳
Nothing Particularly Special about the Taste, it is really just Cabbage with its Usual Cabbagey Crunchy Sweetness. 🥬 Its Main Purpose is to form the Veggie Component of the Dish.
🍒 鴨佛 (Duck Testicles) = TWD350 (S$14.50)
When I did my research on Taiwanese 薑母鴨 Hotpots, this was Something Unique that I've never seen in Singapore or Malaysia, so I ordered it specifically. 🤔
The Mandarin Name literally translates to "Duck Buddha" 🪷 and it is actually Duck Testicles. 🦆🍒 Yes, you heard it right, these are Literally the Raw Castrated Balls of a Male Duck. 🍒 Ouch! 😅 I have No Idea why Taiwanese would call "Testicles" as "Buddha" but then again it is perhaps just another Adorable Way of how they name things. 😅
I suppose its similar to how Americans name a Bull's Testicles as "Rocky Mountain Oysters" 🐂🍒 where the Name is Absolutely Nothing Related to the Actual Thing so as sort of Soften the Psychological Trauma of eating it I suppose? 😅 No Idea what Singaporeans or Malaysians would call this since I haven't come across any Testicle Dishes here in our 2 Countries. 🍒😅
There are 16 of them. 🍒 Pretty much 8 Male Ducks got Castrated in this Dish. 🦆😅 Each of them are about an Inch in Length and they have the Appearance of a Small Pinkish Looking Kidney Bean. 🫘 Smooth in Texture, they are Soft and Slightly Firmish when you squeeze them. There are a Few Reddish Veins on them. 🩸 They're not Particularly Bloody although some Blood does pool on the Plate. 🩸 They smell Clean, and don't have any Raw 血腥 Smell. 👍
How does 鸭佛 Duck Testicles Taste Like Raw? 🍒🤔
Warning: You're not supposed to eat these Raw. 🙅♂️
I will not be responsible for any Medical Issues you may have if you eat these Raw. 👨⚕️👩⚕️
I will not be responsible for any Medical Issues you may have if you eat these Raw. 👨⚕️👩⚕️
So of course I popped 1 Raw to try. 🍒😅 The Outer Skin tastes as Smooth as it looks Externally.
When you bite through the Skin, the Texture within is as Soft as Tofu. There are No Blood Taste at all. 🩸
When you bite through the Skin, the Texture within is as Soft as Tofu. There are No Blood Taste at all. 🩸
Surprisingly, although it came from an Animal, I thought the Taste and Texture reminded me of a Soft Sugarless Fruit of some Sort. 🤔 Abit like Tasting a Sugarless Durian Meat is the Closest to how I would describe this when Raw. 🤔
Doesn't have a Single Innard or Meat Taste at all. The Taste is Very Clean and in fact so Clean, I ended up popping 2 more into my Mouth Raw to re-confirm the Taste. 🍒😋
Doesn't have a Single Innard or Meat Taste at all. The Taste is Very Clean and in fact so Clean, I ended up popping 2 more into my Mouth Raw to re-confirm the Taste. 🍒😋
How does 鸭佛 Duck Testicles Taste Like when Cooked? 🍒🍲
After Experimenting, I found 2 Different Sort of States where you can eat this:
Boiled for 2 Mins 🕑
At 2 Mins, the Duck Testicles still maintain its Shape and Skin. 🍒 From an Initial Raw Pink Colour, the Colour has turned to White. All the Reddish Veins when it was Raw became Brownish in Colour just like how you'd expect a Meat Vein to behave when Boiled. 🤔
When you bite into it, the Outer Skin is Firm and bursts open exactly how you'd expect when you bite through a German Sausage. 🌭 The Inner Texture is still a Soft Mushy Tofu. Still not much Taste actually, although it does have the Signature Profile of a Poultry. 🦆 But other than that, there is no Significant Taste or even Aftertaste to this. 🤔 I'd describe it like a "Mostly Poultry-Based Tasteless-ness with a Soft Tofu Texture"
Boiled for 3 Mins 🕑
At the 3 Mins Mark, you may start seeing some of the Duck Testicles Burst Open while being Boiled. 💥🍒
Some will still retain their Original Shape, while some may Burst Open.
Some will still retain their Original Shape, while some may Burst Open.
Boiled for over 5 Mins 🕑
At the 5 Mins Mark, Duck Testicles will definitely Burst and Break Open like a "Meat Flower". 💥🏵️ Eating it at this point feel like its Completely Cooked Through. 🤔 The Texture now has the Consistency of a Slightly Firmer Tofu and interestingly I though it had a Taste similar to a Slight Mushy Fishball Taste. 🐟
End of the Day, 鸭佛 Duck Testicles feel like the Tofu Soft Component in a Hotpot, 🤔 except that its Meat Based of course. As they're mostly Tasteless, they taste slightly better when dipped into a Sauce. Eating this is more of a Texture Aspect (and Maybe abit of Shock Value?) Hahaha. 😅
🦆 薑母鴨 = TWD350 (S$14.50)
And now we come to the Actual Main Event. This is the Main 薑母鴨 Hotpot. 🫚🦆🫕
It was served Bubbling Hot and Boiling as you can see in the Video. As this is a Hotpot, the Amount of Soup Broth is Refillable Free of Charge. 🍲 Just ask the Staffs for more if you want. 👍
It was served Bubbling Hot and Boiling as you can see in the Video. As this is a Hotpot, the Amount of Soup Broth is Refillable Free of Charge. 🍲 Just ask the Staffs for more if you want. 👍
Within the Hotpot there are:
🍲 Gingery Soup Broth of course
🫚 3 Big Cuts of Old Ginger
🦆 9 Pieces of Duck Meats of Various Cuts
Quality of the Soup Broth at Start of the Hotpot Meal 🍲
The Broth has a Deep Spicy Strong Gingery Taste 🫚 (Duh) the Dish is called Ginger Duck. 🫚🦆 There is also abit of Pepperiness that I detected. Saltiness is Mild and it has a Combined Taste of Meaty, Savoury and Very Gingery. 🫚🦆 There is nothing Herbal about this. Its really just Ginger boiled with Duck Meat in a Meatish Braised Sauce. 😋
The Gingery Taste is quite Robust and Elevated actually. 🫚 If this is your First Time tasting this, you might need some time to get used to it because this is a Taste that is not Commonly Found in Singapore or Malaysia. 🤔 The Gingeriness Level is Beyond what a 薑葱鸡 tastes like. You must enjoy the Taste of Ginger if you want to try this is what I'm trying to say. 🫚😋
Quality of the Soup Broth at End of the Hotpot Meal 🍲
Of course when eating Hotpot, most people will finish off the Meal with the Soup Broth because the End of the Meal is when All Ingredients have been Thoroughly Infused within for the Essence 精华. 🍲😋
The Soup Broth at this point looks Noticeably Thicker and sort of looks like a Curry actually. 🍛🤔 Noticeably Oily although Not Overly So. Interestingly, I thought the Gingeriness actually reduced but Saltiness is Significantly Increased. 🫚🤔 If you are someone who is watching your Salt Level, I do not recommend to drink the Broth at this Point anymore as I feel it is Too Salty to do so. 🙅♂️
🫚 The 3 Big Cuts of Ginger
Thick and Old Looking, it tastes like a Regular Old Ginger. 🫚 Nothing Specifically Special about it. It tastes exactly like a Regular Ginger you'd find in a Market.
🦆 9 Pieces of Duck Meats of Various Cuts
I am quite impressed with the 9 Relatively Big Cuts of Duck Meats given for the Price. 👍 They come already Pre-Cooked Boiling within the Ginger Broth, not Raw Cuts. Duck Breast tastes Noticeably Ducky 🦆 and Gamey and of course Gingery after being Soaked in that Ginger Soup Broth. 🫚
The Meat Texture of the Duck is Slightly Tough but not Overly So. 🤔 What I noticed is that the Meat Colour is Noticebly Redder than Usual and its not because its Raw because it was Boiling in the Broth for 30Mins at least. 🤔 Probably some Unique Duck Breed as I don't see Duck Meats in Singapore or Malaysia as Red as This. 🦆
Duck Thigh Meat is More Tender in Comparison, comparable to a Slightly Firmer Roast Duck Bite Feel. 😋 Also Reddish in Colour despite being boiled for at least 30mins. Not all are Meaty Cuts though, there are a Few that are More Boney such as Duck Wing. 🦴
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Conclusion and Closing Thoughts
At TWD350 (S$14.50) for 16 鴨佛 Duck Testicles, 🍒 that makes them cost about S$0.91 each. Not exactly Cheap, but also not Really That Expensive also. 🤔
Not really something I'd order again, I felt its the Novelty that matters more for this one. 😅 If you have never eaten before, sure go ahead and give these a go. 16 Balls for this Price felt Ok for me. 8 Ducks got Castrated for this Dish. 😅🍒
They do taste Unique though and is a Style of Preparation that is not Commonly Found in Singapore or Malaysia. 👍 So I would say its worth to give this a Try if you have never tried before, although of course you must be someone who can accept the Taste of Ginger because this Dish is really Gingery. 🫚
At TWD60 (S$2.50) for a Huge Gigantic Head of Cabbage 🥬 that I didn't specifically order and "Gently Forced" upon me, this ironically was the Item that I felt had the Most Value in this Dish. 😅
It really was a Huge Head of Cabbage 🥬 and S$2.50 is a Good Price to pay for this Size. 👍 I think it's even Cheaper than a Smaller Sized Head of Cabbage we have in our Singapore Supermarkets tbh. 🥬😅
The Stall Lady was right, Cabbage really does pair well with this 薑母鴨 Hotpot. 🥬🫕 It provided a Nice Veggie Component and lessen the Overly Meatiness and Gingeriness of this Dish acting almost like a Palette Cleanser to make the Dish Less Jelak to eat. 😋
Ultimately though, as Good as the Cabbage worked, how Affordable it was, and how it actually paired well with the Hotpot, 🫕 I didn't appreciate how it was "Gently Forced" and 一笔带过 Upsold upon me even without my Specific Consent. 🤔 The Way they did it felt abit Underhanded and Sneaky NGL. 🙄
While I may have let it slide, I can totally see how a Fiercer Customer may have started a Quarrel War easily in this case. 💥🤔 Unfortunately due to this, I'm going to have to Drop my Overall Score for this Place. 🤔
I'm not giving this place my Lowest Score because there were No Hostility and I did enjoy my Meal. 👍 The Staffs here were Friendly and Welcoming although this Unfortunate Practice they did lowered my Opinion of them. 👎 Abit Borderline Dishonesty lah. 🤔
If you are thinking of eating here, be prepared that you may face such a 一笔带过 Upsell Situation that I faced. 🤔 I'm not sure if other 薑母鸭 Eateries do this too, but do note that this may happen. Culiniarily Wise, as I've made this Dish before, at least I've learnt what I could from tasting an Authentic Version. 🫚🦆 So this Visit was still a Valuable Experience for me. 👍
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