Recently, it has been scorching hot days. Feeling a bit of summer fatigue, I feel like I need something spicy all over my body. So, I searched and found out that a restaurant specializing in Chinese herbal hot pot has opened in Shimokitazawa. The location is about a 5-minute walk from the south-west exit of Shimokitazawa Station, next to a Taiwan mixed noodle shop. The name of the restaurant is "Yakuzen Hot Pot OSHIDORI". Thanks for the tip, Keiji! This place is known for its Chinese herbal hot pot, which is believed to have detoxifying effects due to the spicy red soup and anti-aging effects from the white chicken broth. I opened the door eagerly and was warmly welcomed by the staff who showed me to my table. The interior of the restaurant is cozy and well-designed. I decided to try the "Oshidori Course" which includes 8 dishes for 5,500 yen. We started with a refreshing "Ginger Cocktail" for 858 yen. It was cold, with a sharp ginger taste that tingled all over my body. It seemed perfect for combating summer fatigue. The appetizer platter included three dishes: spicy tofu and watercress, mapo tofu, and marinated horse meat and cucumber in ponzu sauce. Each dish had a unique texture and flavor, making them perfect accompaniments for drinks. Then came the highlight of the meal - the hot pot. It was a beautiful sight with a spicy red soup and a white chicken broth, filled with Chinese herbs floating on the surface. The spicy soup was intense, while the chicken broth was rich and comforting. It was a delightful experience alternating between the two. If the soup ran out, they would add more, enhancing the flavors of the ingredients. The vegetable and mushroom platter was a generous portion of fresh produce, beautifully presented in a wooden box. Overall, the experience at Yakuzen Hot Pot OSHIDORI was a treat for the senses, with a perfect balance of spiciness and comfort. I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys Sichuan cuisine.

- Date and Time: Arrived for a last-minute reservation around 6 pm on Saturday. One group of customers was already there. - Food: The base was a hot pot course, with no individual hot pot options available. The 5500 yen course was satisfying. The first three appetizers were Chinese-style, including a refreshing steamed egg custard, flavorful mapo tofu, and a simple medicinal carpaccio. The white broth for the hot pot was more delicious than the red one, which had a stronger medicinal flavor. The variety of mushrooms and the option to request extra beef tongue and pork were appreciated. The cilantro dumplings were the most delicious, and the shrimp noodles at the end had a strong shrimp flavor and were tasty. The portion sizes were larger than they appeared at first, and we left feeling full. - Price: We used a coupon for a free drink, so we only paid 12000 yen for the meal for two people. The cost performance was relatively good.

I enjoyed the authentic hot pot at a restaurant that opened in Shimokitazawa. This time, I had the Mandarin Duck course. It included three appetizers, a variety of vegetables and mushrooms, a meat platter, and a dried food set. For dessert, I chose almond jelly. The hot pot came in two flavors: chicken broth and spicy broth. It was not too spicy and had a warming flavor that is good for the skin and anti-aging. For the finishing touch, I chose shrimp noodles. Lastly, I chose almond jelly over yuzu sherbet for dessert. I was completely satisfied with the mushrooms, hot pot, and everything at this restaurant.

The manager provided attentive service, guiding us through the course of the hot pot meal just like a French course meal. The dish was vegetable-rich, perfect for those who love vegetables. The small restaurant had a great atmosphere, and the distance between tables was just right. Personally, I think it would be a great spot for a date. The taste of the food was authentic Chinese cuisine, so I recommend it to anyone interested in Chinese hot pot.

- Spicy hot pot → Detox effect - Hot water → Anti-aging effect Oshidori Shimo-Kitazawa is a restaurant that offers a variety of dishes based on "medicinal cuisine," which provides beneficial effects for the body as you eat. The restaurant opened in late March this year, and I was excited to visit because there are not many hot pot restaurants in Shimo-Kitazawa, especially non-chain ones. I had bookmarked this place right away. While there are other spicy hot pot options, I believe that authentic hot pot is the best choice. Unlike other hot pot dishes that are usually enjoyed during cold weather, hot pot is the only category that I crave even during the rainy season or hot weather. I opted for the standard course priced at 5500 yen, which included about four different types of hot pots with vegetables, mushrooms, and seafood. Additionally, I couldn't resist ordering some a la carte dishes like horse liver sashimi and angel prawn with kejang sauce. The staff kindly explained the dishes, and the cozy interior of the restaurant had a Chinese-style ambiance. The restroom was small, with a sign apologizing for the limited space. I started with an ice lemon sour and ginger ale. The ice lemon sour had a medicinal taste similar to lemon peel, while the ginger ale had a subtle herbal flavor. The appetizers included a Chinese jelly dish and mapo tofu, which was surprising. The mapo tofu was served sizzling hot, with a rich and meaty flavor with a hint of Sichuan pepper. I also enjoyed the horse liver sashimi, which was fresh and had no unpleasant smell, and the angel prawn with kejang sauce, which was plump and creamy. Overall, the experience at Oshidori Shimo-Kitazawa was delightful, with unique dishes and a cozy atmosphere.

The hot pot restaurant that reopened in March offers four course options. The chosen Mandarin Duck course includes three appetizers and a hot pot. The cozy and cute interior of the restaurant is delightful. The generous portion of healthy vegetables and mushrooms is visually appealing and makes you want to take a picture even without being told. The hot pot is especially delicious with a mild and flavorful broth. Even those who are not fond of herbal flavors or spiciness can enjoy it, as it is quite easy to eat (although it has a hint of Sichuan pepper, so those who cannot handle spiciness should be cautious). This hot pot is popular among both women and men, with a variety of meat options available for those who want to indulge in plenty of meat. Overall, it was a very satisfying course!

Hot pot is full of medicinal herbs, but the taste is mild and easy to eat. The assortment includes plenty of vegetables, making it appealing to women. Adding collagen balls makes it perfect for beauty. The white soup contains wolfberries and pine nuts, while the red spicy soup contains dang shen, wolfberries, jujubes, and Sichuan pepper. The white soup has anti-aging benefits, while the spicy soup has detoxifying effects. It was a satisfying experience worth the price.

If you can eat spicy and herb-based foods, I think you will enjoy visiting this restaurant! The mushrooms are plentiful and delicious, and we also ordered extra meat!