Have you tried them all? The “20 Must-Try Restaurants” Opened in Taiwan in the First Half of 2015

By Reporter Tsai Wen-jun / Compiled Report

Taiwan’s food scene was bustling in 2015, whether it was the arrival of Michelin-starred restaurants or the opening of unique dining spots. This non-stop series of feast for both the taste buds and the eyes kept surprising the Taiwanese public. Here’s a list of 20 new restaurants that opened in the first half of 2015—see how many you’ve already tried?

▲ Taiwan’s First Snoopy-Themed Café “Charlie Brown Café” Opens in Kaohsiung (Photo / Reporter Yu Ru)

1. Kaohsiung | Charlie Brown Café　
The “Charlie Brown Café,” themed around Snoopy, Charlie Brown, and other characters from the “Peanuts” comic strip, has set foot across Asia and has finally arrived in Taiwan. Its first themed café is located in Kaohsiung, with plans to expand to Taipei in the second half of the year.

Read more:Three Must-See Highlights and Three Must-Try Dishes at Charlie Brown Café

▲ The interior of the Ugly Cute Creatures Themed Restaurant features jungle motifs and plenty of ugly cute creatures (Photo / Reporter Huang Shih-yuan)

2. Taipei | The Secret Garden Bistro Café of Ugly Cute Creatures
Not only can you enjoy coffee with “Peach Boy” sitting next to you, but the forest-themed dining environment of “The Secret Garden Bistro Café of Ugly Cute Creatures” feels like a home built for the ugly cute creatures. Their figures can be spotted everywhere in the restaurant—on tables, chairs, pillars, lamps, plates, cups, and even on drink stirrers—making you feel as if you’ve stepped into the pages of an ugly cute creature picture book.

Read more:Exclusive First Look Inside the Ugly Cute Creatures Themed Restaurant – Peach Boy Sits with You While You Eat

▲ The “Yayoi Kusama Café Cultural & Creative Space” lets visitors experience Yayoi Kusama’s dot-filled charm firsthand (Photo / Reporter Huang Shih-yuan)

3. Taipei | Yayoi Kusama Café Cultural & Creative Space
Although Yayoi Kusama’s Asian tour exhibition did not come to Taipei—stopping only in Kaohsiung and Taichung—the organizers, with authorization from the Yayoi Kusama studio, set up Taiwan’s only limited-time Yayoi Kusama Café Cultural & Creative Space at Huashan 1914 Creative Park. The space is covered in red and white dots, making you feel like you’ve entered Yayoi Kusama’s polka-dot world.

However, visitors should note that this café is only open temporarily until September 30.

Read more:Limited-Time Polka Dot Mania – Yayoi Kusama Café Closes on September 30

▲ Miffy the Rabbit turns 60 this year, and along with exhibitions, there’s also a themed café (Photo / Reporter Huang Shih-yuan)

4. New Taipei City | Miffy-Themed Café “miffy×2% café”
Miffy the Rabbit will turn 60 on June 21 this year. New Taipei City’s Core Pacific City has created a Miffy-themed café, “miffy×2% café.” Aside from food shaped like Miffy, the café’s decor, tableware, and even tabletops are covered in Miffy’s presence. During the trial period, three stand-in Miffy plush toys greet guests at the entrance. On the official opening day on June 21, an even bigger Miffy will be there to welcome visitors.

Read more:First Look at the Miffy-Themed Café – Super Cute Character Cakes

▲ Japan’s super-popular mascot “Kumamon” has its very own themed café, which opened at the end of May (Photo / Reporter Chen Tzu-yin)

5. Taipei | Kumamon-Themed Café “KUMA CAFÉ”
Japan’s hottest mascot, Kumamon from Kyushu, has made its way to Taiwan—and now has its own dedicated themed café, “KUMA CAFÉ,” which began trial operations on May 30. The café offers four set meals, all featuring the ultra-cute Kumamon on the tableware and food. There’s also a merchandise corner where fans can take a piece of adorable Kumamon home.

Read more:Kumamon-Themed Café Revealed – Kumamon Goes “Taike” and Super Cute

▲ The world’s first travel-themed café “Worldbang Petite Travel Café” (Photo by reporter Huang Shiyuan)

6. Taipei — Travel-Themed Worldbang Petite Travel Café
Located on B1 of Taipei’s Eslite XinYi, the “Worldbang Petite Travel Café” is the world’s first café that combines travel, coffee, and books. In addition to serving premium coffee from three continents, the venue offers travel books, iPads, and talks by travel experts, making it the first café dedicated entirely to travel.

Read more:Books and expert talks — First travel-themed café opens

▲ Want to try different steak textures? Don’t miss Top Cap Steakhouse (Photo by reporter Huang Shiyuan)

7. Taipei — Red House Steak “Top Cap Steakhouse”
Dubbed the “Godfather of Steak” in Taiwan, Chef Deng Youkui this year took on a new challenge by opening Top Cap Steakhouse in Taipei’s Shin Kong Mitsukoshi A4, styled after a New York Manhattan eatery. The highlight is the Red House steak, which lets you enjoy two distinct textures in one bite — the tender juiciness of filet mignon and the firm chewiness of New York strip.

Read more:Deng Youkui’s dry-aged Red House steak — tender and firm textures in one

▲ “Steak Godfather” Deng Youkui launches his first hot pot brand “Danny's WhatsNabe” (Photo by reporter Huang Shiyuan)

8. Taipei — Danny's WhatsNabe
Also launched by steak master Deng Youkui, Danny's WhatsNabe is his first venture into Japanese hot pot. It features prime cuts like USDA Prime Ribeye, USDA Ribeye, and Australian Fullblood Wagyu Ribeye, along with the freshest seafood, offering a new way to savor premium ingredients.

Read more:Steak Godfather Deng Youkui branches into hot pot — premium steak meat as hot pot ingredientMeat

▲ Michelin restaurant “Ye Shanghai” serves a variety of authentic Shanghai dishes (Photo by reporter Huang Shiyuan)

9. Taipei — Michelin Restaurant “Ye Shanghai”
True to its name, “Ye Shanghai” offers a range of classic Shanghai dishes such as twice-cooked pork, tender chicken noodle soup, stir-fried bamboo shoots with green beans, and spinach with tofu skin. It earned two Michelin stars in 2012 and one star in both 2013 and 2014.

Read more:No need to fly abroad for gourmet food — a roundup of five Michelin-starred restaurants now in Taiwan

▲Tokyo’s famous ramen — Setagaya Ramen now has two branches in Taipei. (Photo by reporter Huang Shiyuan)

10. Taipei — Tokyo’s “Setagaya Ramen” First Asian Branch
Setagaya Ramen, the only Japanese ramen shop to win the “Best Of New York” award, has opened its first overseas branch in Taipei’s East District. Setagaya Ramen President Maeshima Tsukasa said Taiwan was chosen for its diverse food scene and discerning diners. To cater to local tastes, the Taipei branch offers pork bone broth ramen.

Read more:Tokyo’s Setagaya Ramen opens first Asian branch in Taipei on the 24th

▲ Craving authentic tsukemen? Make Taichung’s “Fujisan 55 Tsukemen” your must-visit spot (Photo from Fujisan 55 Tsukemen fan page)

11. Taichung — Japan’s Nagoya-originated original tsukemen “Fujisan 55 Tsukemen”
Located in Taichung’s Central Taiwan Science Park commercial area, “Fujisan 55 Tsukemen” originates from Nagoya, Japan, and also has branches in the U.S., Thailand, and Hong Kong. The owner says the Taichung outlet is designed to replicate the experience of dining in Japan, using fresh, locally sourced ingredients and meticulous preparation methods to deliver the most authentic tsukemen flavors.

Read more:Taiwan's first Nagoya tsukemen (dipping noodles) from Japan opens in the Zhongke commercial district

▲Fries' signature—grilled toast. (Photo / Reporter Huang Shiyuan)

12. Taipei Fries Grilled Toast
The multi-concept eatery “Fries,” located on Yanji Street in Taipei, specializes in fresh fruit juices and healthy grilled toast. The bread used is milk toast exclusively supplied to five-star hotels, while the pork cutlets are made from whole tenderloin cuts marinated and seasoned in-house.

Originally open 24 hours, the store had to temporarily cease round-the-clock operations due to overwhelming customer traffic and ingredient supply shortages. To ensure better quality, Fries now operates from 12 PM to midnight.

Read more:Round-the-clock service: No need to wake up early for grilled toast
Read more:Too many customers, ingredient shortage: Grilled toast shop Fries suspends 24-hour service

▲The much-anticipated CaliBurger serves classic American-style burgers (Photo / Reporter Huang Shiyuan)

13. Taipei American Restaurant CaliBurger
The American eatery “CaliBurger” in Taipei’s Dongqu district offers four burger flavors, using beef sourced from New Zealand and Australia along with locally grown Taiwanese vegetables. The fries are made from freshly cut potatoes and fried on-site to deliver optimal taste.

Read more:CaliBurger creates a stir before opening; fisherman’s wife Angela Chang’s husband is one of the owners

▲Afraid of raw fish? Izuminv Asian Creative Restaurant’s “California Roll” offers a unique take on sushi (Photo / Reporter Xu Wenbin)

14. Taipei Izuminv Asian Creative Restaurant
The new Asian creative restaurant Izuminv, opened by Andy—dubbed the “Father of California Roll in Taiwan”—features a “California Roll” specially designed for Americans hesitant about eating raw fish. In addition, Izumi serves pizzas, deep-fried dishes, skewers, and offers cocktails at the bar.

Read more:Ever tried a California roll? Father of Taiwan’s California roll, Andy, opens Izumi restaurant

▲Mala hotpot chain Wendeng offers manicures and massages for customers waiting in line (Photo / Provided by Wendeng Mala Hotpot)

15. Taipei Mala Hotpot Restaurant Wendeng
Operated under the Ma La International Catering Group, “Wendeng Mala Hotpot” features an à la carte hotpot menu. Beyond food, the restaurant collaborates with OPI nail polish brand to offer free OPI manicure services to those waiting in line. Additional perks include complimentary human-touch massage and unlimited servings of 16 Haagen-Dazs ice cream flavors, drawing considerable attention upon opening.

Read more:Wendeng Mala Hotpot offers free manicures, massages while you wait; trial operation includes 50% off everything

▲Malaysian restaurant PappaRich serves 160 authentic Malaysian dishes (Photo / Reporter Huang Shiyuan)

16. Taipei Malaysian Restaurant “PappaRich”
Managed by Yinyeh, PappaRich is located in Taipei’s Dongqu district and initially offered a menu of 160 dishes featuring traditional Malaysian fare such as nasi lemak, assam laksa, prawn noodles, Hainanese chicken rice, and Penang char kway teow—all alongside signature white coffee. It serves as a taste of home for Malaysians abroad and gives locals a chance to enjoy authentic Malaysian cuisine without leaving Taiwan.

Read more:160 Malaysian dishes to soothe homesickness; PappaRich opens on the 21st

▲Toreore offers authentic Korean-style tteokbokki hotpot (Photo / Reporter Huang Shiyuan)

17. Taipei | Tigger Tanghulu Hot Pot
Tigger has developed 10 flavors of tanghulu hot pot—six spicy and four non-spicy—and has reblended the taste of Korean tanghulu so that everyone can enjoy it. To avoid the direct spiciness of Korean-style heat, they offer a cheese tanghulu hot pot flavor. Other tanghulu hot pot flavors (there are six other spicy ones as well) can also be topped with mozzarella cheese to mellow the spice.

Read more:Authentic Korean Home Cooking | Tigger Tanghulu Hot Pot Sticks to Original Spice Level

▲ Australia’s top smoothie brand Boost Juice Bars has arrived in Taipei. (Photo / Reporter Huang Shiyuan)

18. Taipei | Australia’s Top Smoothie Brand Boost Juice Bars
Boost Juice Bars is the largest smoothie brand in Australia, established for over 15 years. The first Taiwan store has been exclusively licensed to Yatai Catering, under the Atrium Group, and opened on B1 of Eslite Spectrum at Taipei Main Station. The biggest feature of Boost Juice Bars is its flash-freezing technology for fruits and vegetables, which locks in the nutrients of seasonal produce, and their commitment to fresh-squeezed juices without added sugar or water.

Read more:Australian Smoothie Brand Boost Juice Bars Launches in Taiwan | Eslite Spectrum Taipei Main Station Store Opens

▲ Yanjin Ramen cooked with a 1300-degree high-heat torch (Photo / Reporter Huang Shiyuan)

19. Taipei | Sapporo’s “Yanjin Ramen”
The recently popular Sapporo “Yanjin Ramen” from Japan has opened its first Taiwan branch in Taipei’s East District. In addition to using locally sourced ingredients, it features its unique and eye-catching flame-cooking method. Yanjin Ramen uses a 1300-degree high-heat torch to cook, where flames instantly blend the fat and broth, making its rich and aromatic taste its biggest selling point.

Read more:First Look Inside | Sapporo Yanjin Ramen Soft Opening | Experience the Impact of the High-Temperature Flame Torch

▲ 24-hour service is the biggest feature of “Honey Pig,” aside from its food. (Photo / Reporter Huang Shiyuan)

20. Taipei | Korean BBQ “Honey Pig” from the U.S.
Originating from the U.S., but a Korean BBQ restaurant, “Honey Pig” not only uses cast-iron grills and seasonings that are “directly imported from Korea,” but its biggest highlight is 24-hour service, allowing travelers to enjoy grilled meat anytime. It is also the first 24-hour Korean BBQ restaurant in the Greater Taipei area.

Read more:Korean BBQ Restaurant from the U.S. Officially Launches in Taiwan | 24-Hour Service Without Interruption