Affordable Japanese Eats Land in Taiwan: Enjoy Gyukatsu N<, Pork Cutlet N<, and Kaiten Sushi Without Leaving Home

▲ Pork Cutlet N< at Yakiniku N< Taipei.

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report & Photography

Whether it’s because the Japanese are grateful for Taiwan’s support after the 311 disaster or because they see potential in the Taiwanese market, more and more Japanese restaurants are opening branches in Taiwan. Following the ramen shop boom two years ago, a variety of affordable Japanese eats have also made their way to the island. These include the Japanese beef bowl chain Sukiyaki (Sukiya), Japanese casual dining chain Maido Ookini, Kura Sushi (Kura Sushi), and the pork cutlet specialty shop Yoshitoriya, which opened on August 8. Fans of affordable Japanese food can enjoy these without flying to Japan.

▲ Sukiyaki has already opened its second store.

Japan’s Top Three Beef Bowl Chains
Japan’s Top Three Beef Bowl Chains
Guting Branch
Address: No. 50, Section 2, Roosevelt Road, Zhongzheng District, Taipei City
Phone: 0960-807-500
Zhànqián Branch
Address: No. 12, Nanyang Street, Taipei City
Phone: 02-22991008

▲ Dà’ān Sēnlín Shítáng (Great Forest Dining) had extremely long queues when it first opened.

Japanese Casual Dining Chain
The first Taiwan branch of the Japanese casual dining chain Maido Ookini Shokudo is “Dà’ān Sēnlín Shítáng,” which officially opened last November (2014). True to the Japanese concept of casual dining, the restaurant offers homestyle dishes with a motherly touch, such as tamagoyaki (Japanese omelet), tempura shrimp, and beef sukiyaki, along with side dishes and udon noodles—totaling up to 69 menu items. The second branch in the series, “Jīngguàn Shítáng” (Crystal Crown Dining), opened on May 15 at the Crystal Crown Mall in Xinzhuang, also highlighting rice as a key feature.

Dà’ān Sēnlín Shítáng
Address: No. 161-3, Section 1, Xīnshēng S. Rd., Taipei City (next to MOS Burger)
Phone: 02-27550997
Jīngguàn Shítáng
Address: 2F, No. 66, Wǔgōng Rd., Xinzhuang District, New Taipei City (2F, Crystal Crown Mall)
Phone: 02-25672986
 

▲ Kura Sushi’s kaiten sushi is just 40 NT per plate, and you can play a crane game after collecting five plates.

One of Japan’s Top Three Kaiten Sushi Chains: Kura Sushi
Kura Sushi (Kura Sushi), one of Japan’s top three conveyor belt sushi chains, entered the Taiwan market late last year, opening its first store at the intersection of Nanjing East Road and Songjiang Road.With each plate priced at just 40 NT and the added fun of a crane game, the restaurant remains packed even half a year after opening. Recently, its official Facebook page announced that the second Taiwan store will be located at Taichung’s Guang San SOGO, expected to open in autumn (possibly September or October), with hiring currently underway.

Songjiang Nanjing Branch
Address: B1, No. 101, Section 2, Nanjing E. Rd., Zhongshan District, Taipei City
Taichung Guang San SOGO Branch
Address: 14F, No. 459, Section 2, Taiwan Blvd., West District, Taichung City

▲Taiwan's first store of Japan’s largest affordable pork cutlet chain, "Yoshoku-ya," officially opened on August 8.

Japan’s largest affordable pork cutlet chain Yoshoku-ya
Taiwan’s first store of Japan’s largest affordable pork cutlet chain "Yoshoku-ya" officially opened on August 8. "Fast, delicious, and affordable" are the three pillars of Yoshoku-ya, which is why it introduced its globally exclusive automatic pork cutlet fryer to Taiwan. It only takes 3.5 minutes to fry a pork cutlet, and a bowl of pork cutlet rice can be served in just 5 minutes.<.Yoshitoriya(Pork Cutlet Shop)LodgeCurrentlyoffersavariety10ofporkcutletdishesThe,porkcutletandindifferentportiondifferentpine(160Publiccreek),bamboo(120Publiccreek),plum(80Publiccreek)threeof,butonlyhaveandporkcutletanddifferentOsakawhite,ricericeavarietyFullDuis240Publiccreek.PriceareRegiondifferent,BestBentoaffordableofYoshitoriya(Pork Cutlet Shop)porkcutletN<(plum)129Yuan,BestGreatofisdoubleLayerLiJiporkcutletFixedFood,porkcutletCurryRi(pine),doubleLayerLiJiporkcutletBentoDong(LiJi120Publiccreekx2),Duis249Yuan.

Yoshoku-ya
Address: B1, No. 36, Section 1, Zhongxiao West Road, Taipei City
Phone: 02-23113318