Taiwanese classics meet fine dining in Xinyi District
A high-end take on the ubiquitous classics
Taiwanese cuisine is hard to define. Shaped by Chinese, Hakka, Japanese, and Western influences, alongside Indigenous traditions, it continues to evolve, according to Taiwan’s Ministry of Agriculture.
If you ask a dozen Taiwanese people to describe their food culture, you'll likely get a dozen different answers.
Rice, pork, seafood, and soy show up everywhere, but repetition does not mean sameness. You’ll find everything from pan-fried and deep-fried street snacks to steamed comfort dishes, flavors that run sweet, spicy, bitter, and deeply savory.
Much of this food is inexpensive and eaten quickly at night markets or mom-and-pop restaurants. But in upmarket Xinyi District, chefs are refashioning those classics and serving them in style.
If you're looking for a more refined take on Taiwanese cuisine, This Is Taipei recommends the following three places.
#1: Sinchao Rice Shoppe
A classy approach to Taiwanese food in the Michelin-recommended spot
Located in the Breeze Xinyi department store, Sinchao Rice Shoppe offers an extensive menu packed with New Taiwanese Cuisine. It's essentially a modern twist on Taiwanese food featuring fine-dining cooking techniques, in a setting reminiscent of US Chinatown diners in the 1920s — think mosaic floors, wood-rich decor, and dark velvet seats.
Sinchao is a homophone of the Chinese for "new fried rice", the restaurant’s specialty. The menu offers several variations, including crab with basil, mullet roe with seared scallop, and strip steak.
But, when This Is Taipei visited, we went straight for the classic: a Taiwanese pork chop paired with cabbage fried rice (NT$450). The pork was melt-in-your-mouth tender, and the dish as a whole was deeply satisfying.
It paired well with the Classic Three-Cup Chicken (NT$480) and the Sauteed Clams with Basil (NT$360). The Stir-Fried White Lotus (NT$200) balanced the meal out well.
Although we did not sample any alcohol, there is a full and impressive bar offering everything from cocktails made from local ingredients — winter melon tea, oolong tea, etc.— to fancy wines and champagne.
The restaurant's upscale feel is reflected in its prices. Our bill for two was around NT$2,500, but that being said, we did order a lot of food.
The open kitchen gives you a glimpse into the culinary action without being overwhelming, and the service is top-notch. Servers will be happy to explain the dishes and make recommendations.
It is a good idea to reserve — it can get busy, even on weekdays. Sinchao Rice Shoppe is open from 11 AM to 9:30 PM Sunday to Wednesday and 11 AM to 10 PM Thursday to Saturday.
#2: Kuaichao
Where stir-fry classics and traditional home cooking come together
Rechao, or stir fry, restaurants are laid-back eateries that became popular in Taiwan in the 1980s with hungry workers looking for cheap, quick food and bottle after bottle of beer. They tend to have a simple decor, plastic stools, and short tables for seating, and offer a casual atmosphere for people to unwind and connect.
Kuaichao takes this concept and upgrades it. In a big way. Located on the 14th floor of the Far Eastern Department Store Xinyi A13, the menu features traditional dishes with a creative twist and dash of fine dining, alongside more traditional home-style Taiwanese cooking.
Among the dishes we ordered, the standouts were the Steamed Squash With Garlic Sauce (NT$300) and the Typhoon Shelter Soft Shell Crab (NT$495). Drinks-wise, the bottles of Taiwan beer were flowing nicely to our table, but cocktails from around NT$300 are also available.
We visited for an early dinner and despite being initially quiet, it quickly became lively and bustling — just like traditional rechao restaurants. It works for big groups of friends, but is also nice for smaller gatherings or date nights. Our bill came to about NT$2,500 for two people with a few drinks.
Reservations are recommended. Kuaichao is open from 11 AM to 2 PM and 5 PM to 9:30 PM Sunday to Thursday, and 11 AM to 2:30 PM and 5 PM to 10 PM on Fridays and Saturdays, according to its social media account.
#3: Dao She Restaurant
Traditional favorites in a polished setting
Located above Taipei City Hall MRT Station in Breeze Xinyi shopping mall, Dao She Restaurant (稻舍食館) offers an upscale version of Taiwanese staples found in abundance at restaurants across the city.
When This Is Taipei visited on a cold January evening, the comforting food and relaxed atmosphere really hit the spot. The meals come in sets, and we ordered the Herbal Chicken Soup set (NT$593 with a mango juice,) which was in a huge bowl and had a slight aniseed flavor to it.
The Braised Pork with Rice set (NT$420) was tender and flavorful, but very similar to that often found in less expensive restaurants. The server will tell you to drizzle two circles of pork oil and one of soy sauce on the rice, which is sprinkled with crunchy fried onions, but we recommend adding more.
The servers mainly speak Chinese, and will introduce the dishes to you. Ordering is done through a QR code, and the menu is in English.
Food comes out as it's ready, and service is quick and efficient. We visited at 6 PM and it was initially quiet, but filled up quickly.
Dao She Restaurant is open between 11 AM and 10 PM Thursday to Saturday and 11 AM to 9:30 PM Sunday to Wednesday.
