Izakayas in Zhongshan District worth a visit
A Japanese colonial legacy that continues to shape Taipei's late-night food scene
From 1895 to 1945, Japan ruled Taiwan and set out to shape it into a model overseas colony. Along the way came infrastructure — railways, irrigation systems, buildings. Less officially, but just as enduring, came food culture — bento boxes, rice balls, and Japanese cooking techniques.
Another lasting influence was the izakaya: informal Japanese pubs designed for casual drinking and shared plates. Typically warmly lit and decorated with artwork, they often have a rustic feel. In Taipei today, they’re everywhere. Expect large groups, bottles of beer and sake, and a steady flow of meaty skewers and barbecued fish.
That influence feels especially strong in Taipei's central Zhongshan District, a former Japanese colonial business area. Izakayas here stay open late, making them an easy post-work option or a reliable stop well into the evening — a contrast to many Taiwanese restaurants, which tend to close earlier.
This Is Taipei visited three great izakayas in early 2026 that deliver great food while remaining welcoming and accessible for non-Chinese speakers.
#1: Fengfu Izakaya
A dimly lit izakaya that is great for date nights
Dark and cozy, Fengfu Izakaya (楓馥夜食日式居酒屋) works well for groups, and it's especially suitable for those hoping to impress on a date. The kitchen was open, and dozens of liquor bottles were stacked on the counter when This Is Taipei dined there in January.
The food is standard izakaya fare, comforting and well-seasoned. The menu includes everything you'd expect, from skewers and fried food to a variety of fish. The pepper sesame chicken (NT$280) and teriyaki grilled beef short ribs (NT$190) were particularly satisfying, especially considering the price.
The salted egg yolk shuilian, or water lily shoots (NT$200), was an explosion of multiple flavors and textures with each mouthful.
During our early dinner, there were only a few other diners, but still quite a long wait time between dishes. The place has a chill pace, but you still have a full view of the kitchen staff working hard.
There are only about 30 seats altogether, so it's worth making a reservation. Ordering is done via QR code, and the menu is in English.
Fengfu Izakaya is open between 5:30 PM and 1 AM every day, apart from Sunday, when it closes. Note that there was a dining limit of 90 minutes.
#2: Huoshaoyaki Japanese Izakaya
Spacious and friendly, with a wide-ranging menu
Huoshaoyaki Japanese Izakaya (火燒鳥日式居酒屋) is located down a busy alley near Linsen North Road in an area filled with izakayas. The menu here is huge, and they have an English version.
When This Is Taipei visited on a Friday night in January, the restaurant was surprisingly quiet, but the servers were keen to chat and were friendly and welcoming.
Highlights included the chicken wings (NT$160), which were tasty and had a BBQ twang to them. We also ordered the Japanese-style fried tofu (NT$130) and the mentaiko chicken (NT$160), which were both satisfying. They also have a selection of cutlassfish, which are reasonably priced. The presentation of all the dishes was simple, and portion sizes were large.
Although we stuck with beer that night, there were lots of sake and whiskey options, with dozens of bottles on display. Overall, the place has more of a modern feel than is common in most Taiwanese izakayas and is more spacious.
Huoshaoyaki Japanese Izakaya is open daily between 5 PM and midnight.
#3: Chuan Cang Shao Niao Izakaya
Bright, relaxed, and particularly suited to large groups
Chuan Cang Shao Niao Izakaya (串藏燒鳥居酒屋) sits right in the middle of the lively cluster of izakayas and attracts a diverse crowd, from rowdier groups ordering bottles of sake to solo travelers eating while watching a video on their phone.
The inside setup is highly versatile. There are private rooms, though they require a minimum spend of NT$3,000, according to the restaurant. Solo diners or smaller groups will be seated at the bar.
It's quite bright for an izakaya, but it still feels welcoming, helped by the staff who speak a mix of Japanese, Chinese, and English. On our visit, the servers were very friendly and attentive, and there were menus in multiple languages.
This Is Taipei recommends ordering the salmon sashimi (NT$200), which came as a generous portion and tasted fresh. The squid (NT$280) was savory and tasty, as was the fried courgette with mentaiko (NT$320).
As well as pints of Sapporo, there was also a wide range of sake, cocktails, and non-alcoholic drinks on offer.
Although we enjoyed visiting the restaurant as a pair, it seemed to be particularly suited to larger groups — judging by all the noise and the amount of dishes we saw being delivered into the multiple private rooms.
Chuan Cang Shao Niao Izakaya is open every day from 6 PM to midnight, apart from Sundays, when it is closed.
