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 (すき家)<连锁店すき家、日本庶民食堂Maido Ookini、藏回转寿司，以及8月8日开幕的猪排N<专卖店吉豚屋，喜欢日本平价美食的朋友，不用飞日本就可以享用到。

▲ Sukiyaki has already opened its second store.

Japan’s Top Three Beef Bowl Chains<连锁店之一的すき家
Japan’s Top Three Beef Bowl Chains<连锁店之一的“すき家”(SUKIYA)，去年7月在台北市捷运古亭站附近开设了台湾第一家分店，引起排队人潮，第二家店则是开设在台北市南阳街，6月底正式开幕营业。牛N<单点价格最低59元起。餐点部分则有牛N<、咖喱等多种选择，价位多落在59元到139元之间，其中，像是牛N<迷你碗最低59元、中碗69元，套餐价最低则是89元起，相较于吉野家的牛N<中碗95元，价格更为亲民。目前第三店分店信义店在筹备中。

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 (くら寿司), one of Japan’s top three kaiten 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.<。吉豚屋目前提供10种猪排料理，猪排有些分量分松(160公克)、竹(120公克)、梅(80公克)三种，不过只有猪排有分大小，白饭提供全都是240公克。价格部分，最便宜的吉豚猪排N<(梅)129元，最贵的是双层里肌猪排定食、猪排咖喱(松)、双层里肌猪排便当(里肌120公克x2)，都是249元。

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