Light meals available here!* Taiwan’s only “white-themed” Yoshinoya is in Taipei

Text & photos byXiaohu’s Dream Food Blog

This isn’t Yoshinoya!* This isn’t Yoshinoya!* (Rolling and kicking around...), although I wouldn’t call myself a die-hard fan of Yoshinoya, I’ve eaten their beef bowls no less than ten times, and even went to Japan to see how they differ.<可也吃过不下十回，甚至还跑去日本吃吃看有什么不同。BUT..今天要介绍这家位于市政府站的“白色”吉家”非常不同，猜测可能也是目前全世界唯一一家。

The white-themed Yoshinoya is located at Exit 1 of Taipei City Hall Station, just a three-minute walk away. From here, you can not only see the department stores of the Xinyi Shopping District but also catch a glimpse of Taipei 101 peeking out. The location and surroundings are excellent.

White Yoshinoya is built around the concepts of health and wellness, using locally grown Taiwanese rice, house-made butter, and fresh local produce to offer customers delicious and healthy happiness.

White Yoshinoya doesn’t just differ in its cuisine—the decor has also broken away from the traditional Japanese chain cafeteria style, adopting instead a warm, cozy, family-friendly atmosphere that makes you feel like you’re stepping into a sunlit home as soon as you walk in.

I’ve always dreamed of having a floor-to-ceiling window at home, with a wooden table in front of it—whether with family or a few close friends—just casually eating, drinking, and chatting for an entire afternoon or even a whole day.

There’s a simple sink in the stairwell, so guests downstairs don’t have to go up to the second-floor restroom just to wash their hands. It’s a very thoughtful design. I personally think it should be widely promoted—after all, some people just need to wash their hands and shouldn’t have to wait in line for the toilet XD.

The dining space on the second floor also carries a homely vibe, resembling a small attic at home. The chairs come with little throw pillows, making it a great spot for three or five friends to enjoy a meal and chat freely.

The front half of the second floor is quite spacious, and whether it’s the wooden furniture design or the slightly yellow lighting, it gives off the warm atmosphere of a living room where you’d wait for family to come home for dinner. Honestly, I love this second-floor dining space.

White Yoshinoya not only pays attention to healthy ingredients and the environment, but even its decor and certain activities are designed with an eco-friendly concept in mind.

For example, there’s a points program for bringing your own eco-friendly drink cup. Just use your own reusable cup when taking out drinks or soups, and you’ll earn one point. Collect ten points, and you can exchange them for a free drink at Yoshinoya or three other brand stores.

Since it’s a health-focused menu, you can’t miss the salads. Customers can choose their preferred main (brown rice or bread), select 3–4 toppings, pick one of three sauces, and create their own customized bento box—perfect for breakfast or lunch.

The customizable salad also includes the option to add Yoshinoya’s beef. You can mix and match meat, fruit, and greens for a healthy and balanced breakfast or lunch that’s also delicious.

If you’re not sure what to choose, the store also offers freshly made bento boxes and salad boxes for the day, including vegetarian sandwiches that you can take away directly—convenient for busy office workers with limited lunch breaks.

Additionally, for those who aren’t in a rush to get to work or school—or simply want to find a place to enjoy a meal and chat at a leisurely pace—you can also order the exclusive “White Yoshinoya” brunch.

The menu at White Yoshinoya offers far more options than I imagined. Now, let’s quickly take a look at what other amazing dishes this unique Yoshinoya has to offer.

Here, you’ll find not only nutritious breakfast and brunch options but also desserts—it’s truly a different kind of Yoshinoya.

Because the focus is on health and wellness, almost all breakfast, lunch, and dinner options come with the store’s healthy and delicious vegetable and fruit salads.

The set meals, which pair brown rice with main options like beef, pork, or chicken, feel quite generous. Even pasta, a favorite among young people, is available.

German Mint Tea (NT$120): With a light mint aroma, just one or two sips feel refreshing, cleansing, and comforting. Compared to regular mint tea, it’s milder and more soothing.

Handmade Juice (NT$120): Available in “Passion Samba” and “Wizard of Oz.” Compared to typical freshly squeezed juice shops, it’s not as thick or hard to drink. White Yoshinoya’s juice has a smoother, more refreshing taste, and the flavor of the fruits and vegetables speaks for itself.

For lunch, you can opt for heartier “meat”-based set meals, with choices of beef, lamb, or chicken. For example, the Creamy Milk Burger Steak with Brown Rice (single NT$190, set NT$250).

Besides rice options, you can also choose different styles of pasta. Smoked Salmon with White Sauce Pasta (NT$240 single, NT$300 set): The sauce is perfectly reduced—not too sticky or watery—and even the last bite doesn’t feel dry. The salmon flavor is relatively mild, with a hint of creaminess, while the abundance of pine nuts and onions adds a refreshing, pleasant taste. The pasta has a satisfying chew.

The brown rice in the set meals—I’m sure many have tried it. At Yoshinoya, it’s softer than what you’d get elsewhere, and even for someone with not-so-great teeth like me, chewing isn’t an issue. As for taste and healthiness, it’s just as you’d expect.

The set meal comes with a choice of fruit and vegetable salad, and there are three sauce options: Pastoral Milk Sauce, Tofu Caesar Sauce, and Garlic Lemon Sauce—all very tasty. My top recommendation is the Tofu Caesar Sauce, which pairs wonderfully with both fruit and salad.

The fried chicken cutlet has a crispy crust without being greasy, with a subtle charred aroma and sweet fried skin that’s delicious. The chicken itself is tender, and the portion is just right for lunch.

Aside from the mashed pumpkin centerpiece, it’s also served with three to four different types of healthy fruits and vegetables—like cucumbers, potatoes, and carrots—that are first roasted and then lightly tossed in oil, making them very tasty.

This rosemary beef panini (NT$220) is interesting—it uses Yoshinoya’s signature beef along with plenty of rosemary, paired with a crispy corn tortilla.

The bread is slightly thicker than your average panini, giving it a texture somewhat like Harbin scallion pancakes, but softer. The bottom of the bread is layered with mildly tangy, refreshing tomatoes that cut through the richness, and the generous rosemary adds an extra touch of “Italian” flair to this sandwich featuring everyone’s familiar Yoshinoya beef—super unique.

Mushroom cheddar omelet (NT$169). It also comes with a side salad and very crispy, fragrant toast.

To be honest, at first glance, this slightly flat omelet was a bit unsettling, but it actually tasted much better than it looked. Especially the velvety, not-quite-set egg with a hint of cheddar cheese’s stickiness—both flavor and texture were great. Though I’d prefer it just a tad less cooked, XD.

The gourmet savory muffin platter is quite generous in both portion and variety, and the price is a steal at NT$169. It includes two muffins, sunny-side-up eggs, a side salad, hot dogs, bacon, cured ham, asparagus, and shaved cheese.

The runny egg pairs unexpectedly well with the crispy yet soft muffin, the pan-fried bacon is richly flavorful, and the sautéed asparagus with a hint of black pepper aroma is also nice.

Mediterranean salsa lamb skewers (NT$180). This dish probably shocked me the most—not because of how it tasted, but because I never expected it to be sold here, XD. And the lamb skewers are actually really delicious. The lamb has a sweet richness with a hint of lamb fat that I love, and the texture is tender enough. For those who are wary of the gaminess, you can pair it with a rather unique salsa; this one is more like pure diced tomatoes, with a fresh and uncomplicated flavor—tasty.

The server suggested eating one skewer on its own, or wrapping another with the rice underneath, the flatbread, and a drizzle of salsa—it’s a fun and special way to enjoy it. The only downside is that the flatbread is a bit on the hard side, XD.

Fresh fruit ice cream muffin (NT$169). Soft muffins naturally complement ice cream, and the contrast between hot and cold textures, topped with various fruits, makes for a very visually appealing treat.

Fresh fruit French toast (NT$169), available in hazelnut cocoa and smooth peanut flavors—I chose the latter. The taste is surprisingly light yet charmingly peanut-forward, allowing the sweetness of the egg and toast to shine. The slightly sticky exterior and softened interior texture are also well-executed, and the pairing with berry jam’s sweet-and-sour contrast works nicely.

Mango milk lava brownie (NT$160), plated quite attractively, and the mango color scheme is also pleasing.

When sliced, the chocolate sauce flows out unexpectedly well. The brownie itself has a rich, soft, and even slightly sticky texture, with the chocolate being sweet yet slightly bitter. Paired with the flowing chocolate sauce, milk, and mango, it’s an essential dessert after a meal—especially for chocolate and brownie lovers.

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

You might not know this, but “White Yoshinoya” also sells alcohol—whether it’s fruit wine, beer, or red wine, they’ve got it. That’s why the shop has also designed several great dishes to go with drinks, such as ↓.

Salami and goat cheese cold platter (NT$180). This plate is perfect for a post-work drink. Whether it’s the lightly crisp, slightly oily bread or the rich goat cheese, both are delicious. The cured ham drizzled with a bit of olive oil is also very flavorful.

I think there must be many office workers around here. After work, coming here to have a drink, enjoy some great food, and gaze at the beautiful Xinyi District view outside the window—if you’ve got one or two good friends with you, it’s definitely a great way to wash away the day’s fatigue. Cheers, my friends!!

The shop also prepares picnic-friendly maps that you can pick up—they’re pretty convenient for tourists.

The shop often has great promotions, so remember to check before you visit.

White Yoshinoya
Address: No. 155, Section 5, Zhongxiao East Road, Xinyi District, Taipei City
Phone: 02-27568578
Business hours: 7:00 AM – 11:00 PM

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