A nostalgic izakaya housed in a renovated old factory — travel back to 1931 for skewers and sours!

Text & Photos by /MIKA

What was the year 1931 like? Back then, we were still under Japanese rule — just like the era depicted in the movie KANO where the team shone at Koshien Stadium. Though it may feel a bit unfamiliar to our generation, through the Times 1931 Izakaya on Chifeng Street, I felt as if I had returned to those bygone days, savoring authentic Japanese cuisine in an atmosphere reminiscent of Taiwan during the Japanese colonial period. The Times 1931 Izakaya revives the bustling scenes of old eateries using the remnants of the soda water factory, with a nostalgic Japanese colonial-era theme in its decor, allowing you to fully appreciate the charm of traditional kaiseki-style Japanese dining.

This two-story red-brick building was originally a soda water factory built during the Japanese colonial period. The reason it remained abandoned and unrented for so long is that the former owner couldn’t bear to let go of the memories tied to this place. Therefore, Times 1931 fulfilled the old owner’s wish by transforming the soda water factory into a space that revives the atmosphere of 1931, taking everyone back in time to experience the simple joy and pure emotion that food can bring.

The Chifeng Era of 1931 is reborn in 2015, shining once again...

The exterior is an old red-brick house, while the interior is a Japanese-style nostalgic izakaya.
Under the dim lighting, it feels like you’ve been transported back to 1931...

Red-brick walls paired with wooden tables and chairs capture the essence of Taiwanese style during the Japanese colonial period.

The upper floor leans more toward an industrial retro vibe, with a spacious and bright space enhanced by vintage industrial design. In comparison, the downstairs area has a stronger nostalgic feel.

The site was formerly a marble soda factory, and some relics from that time have been preserved. Out of respect for the owner’s request, Times 1931 Izakaya agreed not to alter the exterior or structural elements. The interior decor is styled after the street food vendor look of Taiwan in the 1950s and 60s, exuding a rich sense of nostalgic, retro, and local Taiwanese charm.

There is also a Japanese-style tatami room on the second floor.

The menu is uniquely designed around the film KANO, focusing on the Chiayi Agricultural School baseball team winning the national championship and representing Taiwan at the 17th Summer Koshien Tournament in Japan, taking everyone back to that glorious year.

Below the menu items, there are also descriptions of the street scenes from that year...
This place offers all the classic Japanese dishes: skewers, sashimi, sushi, and more.

What surprised me most was the skewers — Japanese-style skewers are rare in Taiwan, but they serve them here!

Of course, drinks are also a highlight of an izakaya, and besides Japanese sake and beer, there are also sours, which many ladies love.

Even the tableware reflects the simplicity of the past. Along with hot tea, they also serve marinated edamame, which tastes slightly tangy with a hint of sweetness.

Tuna Tartare with Crushed Tuna 380 TWD
I love this dish name — it’s so fun. The plate is generously piled with tuna slices, and the presentation is super creative, almost overflowing with tuna. The color of the tuna looks fresh and vibrant, and it tastes amazing when paired with wasabi and cucumber.

Salmon Cream Cheese 140 TWD
Cream cheese topped with salmon flakes — I personally love cream cheese for its melt-in-your-mouth texture, rich flavor, and delicious taste.

Pork Miso with Lettuce 120 TWD
A creative take: miso pork is grilled on a rice scoop until lightly charred, then served with fresh lettuce, tomato, and cucumber. The combination is rich, savory, slightly sweet, and refreshing.

Grilled Mentaiko 240 TWD
Mentaiko goes well with almost anything, but I always find it a bit too salty on its own. Grilling it enhances the aroma, and even a small bite is flavorful — though it’s still a bit salty on its own.

Cranberry Sour 140 TWD, Yuzu Sour 140 TWD, Almond Pineapple Sour 140 TWD
I love sours (heart hands emoji)! Serving sours in these glass jars is just gorgeous. With fruit slices, juice, and herb decorations, it’s practically art.

● ETtoday News Cloud reminds you: Don’t drink and drive, and don’t drive after drinking.

Just the appetizers are already so abundant XD

Chicken Meatballs 120 RMB
The chicken meatballs are grilled and brushed with a special sauce — sweet, savory, with a hearty texture and juicy flavor. They’re really delicious.

Skewers: Bacon scallops, pork belly, oysters
When eating, pair with the vegetable and fruit dipping sauce on the table. Compared to Osaka-style Japanese sauces, this one is a bit lighter in taste but still very flavorful. The golden hue of the skewers isn’t as crispy as Osaka’s, but the deliciousness remains unaffected. If you don’t have time to go to Japan, coming here to satisfy your skewer cravings is a great alternative.

Skewers: Lotus root, shiitake mushrooms, small chili peppers, red ginger
The vegetable skewers are also tasty. The most unique is the red chili — it’s not overwhelmingly spicy. The red ginger skewers are also aromatic and memorable. The lotus root is super crispy — I love that too.

Like in Japan, the dipping sauce for skewers can only be used once. You can dip only the un eaten skewers. Once eaten, they can’t be dipped again. For hygiene reasons, please cooperate.

The skewer dipping sauce, made with Worcestershire sauce, fresh fruits, and spices, has a savory and sweet taste that’s full of flavor.

Plentiful Sushi 500 RMB
This name is really cute — it’s called “Plentiful” because it’s packed with fillings. There’s a generous pile of salmon roe, raw sea urchin, cooked crab meat, and tuna paste all stacked on top of the sushi, so much that it’s falling off. It’s truly overflowing. Who wouldn’t feel completely satisfied after eating such a rich Plentiful Sushi?

Premium Beef Neck Meat 160 RMB, Free-range Chicken Thigh Meat 120 RMB
Since this is an izakaya, yakitori is a must. The free-range chicken thigh meat is super delicious — how is it so firm and springy?

Yakitori can be dipped in crab mayo or mentaiko mayo for extra flavor.

Sashimi Combo 520 RMB
A luxurious sashimi combo that wows everyone as soon as it arrives — featuring five different types of sashimi, it’s incredibly varied. The Izakaya 1931 sources its daily catch locally with limited quantity, offering the freshest ingredients and most authentic flavors. That’s why the sashimi is so fresh.

Thinly Sliced Squid 380 RMB
This is a recommended must-order dish — it’s truly a display of the chef’s knife skills. Fresh squid is sliced into 24 ultra-thin, translucent pieces using top-tier technique, arranged on the plate like a beautiful piece of art.

The dipping sauce is a specially made yuzu-orange sauce, tangy, sweet, and fragrant, offering a refreshing taste. Dipping the squid gives a chewy, tender texture with a citrusy aroma — very appetizing. You can also roll it up with daikon radish paste and thin slices of ginger for different layers of flavor.

Old-Fashioned Fried Noodles 180 RMB
This is truly a Japanese-style fried noodle dish, with a sweet and tangy soy sauce aroma, plus dried bonito flakes — it’s really tasty and refreshing.

Stewed Intestines 160 RMB
Similar to oden-style stewed intestines, the soup is quite light and sweet. The chewy and firm braised intestines make it a decent, well-balanced dish.

Teapot Q
A traditional, authentic Japanese teapot Q.