Trendy Sichuan cuisine arrives at Taipei Main Station station square mall (京站)! Seafood, land vegetables, or tofu—what’s your pick?

Text and photos bySan Gao Chi Han (三高吃汉)

Most people from Taoyuan have probably heard of Fu Li Sichuan Cuisine in Taoyuan. In recent years, their youth-oriented new brand, Kai Fan Chuan Shi Tang (开饭川食堂), has been getting quite positive reviews. There are currently four branches in Taipei. While I was at Taipei Main Station watching a movie, I decided to check out the B3 food court on a whim. There happened to be a two-person table available in the afternoon without waiting—pretty lucky~

The interior has a slightly trendy vibe—I found the atmosphere pretty relaxed, and the service staff were very friendly. The menu offers set meals based on group size, differing only in the number of dishes. Although I usually prefer à la carte, since it was my first time here and I wasn’t sure what to expect, I opted for the “Two-Person Set,” which came with four dishes and drinks for about NT$1,000. It felt like a good deal.

The set meal had fewer dish options, but overall the price was more reasonable, which worked well for us. The portion sizes seemed the same as the regular menu versions with no reductions—though those with smaller appetites might not finish everything. The menu was also quite fun, with each dish category given a unique title.

Rice is included per person and is all-you-can-eat. They bring out a small pot that yields about 4–5 bowls. The texture was just right for me in terms of moisture and chewiness. Honestly, the tables felt a bit small—the moment the dishes were served, there was almost no extra space left...

This was an additional side dish we ordered. According to the description, it’s marinated with pepper, chili, and Sichuan peppercorn, but the flavors weren’t very intense. It had a refreshing pepper aroma and a numbing touch from the Sichuan peppercorns, and the texture was nice—not too tough or rubbery.

It came in a big plate. Kai Fan Chuan Shi Tang uses only beef tendon, honeycomb tripe, and beef brisket, all pre-braised until very tender. The dish was served submerged in red oil, but the flavor didn’t really suit my taste—it lacked complexity in aroma and layers, and the numbing sensation from the Sichuan peppercorn was a bit overpowering.

The frying was just right for my preference—it was quite tasty, though the ginger flavor was a bit strong.

The chicken thigh meat cubes seemed to be fried a bit longer than usual, but they were still okay and not too tough. Though the flavor wasn’t particularly distinctive, the sweet-and-sour balance was just right. It was quite appetizing and one of the dishes I liked.

The egg had a thick and soft yolk, and the whites were pan-fried to a crispy outside. Stir-fried with pre-fried glutinous peppercorn and black fermented soybeans, it had a savory umami and soybean aroma. It was slightly salty, but the sweetness of the peppercorn balanced it out. Among these dishes, the green beans were my favorite, and the Tear-Jerker Eggs and Plum Sauce Chicken were also good.

For drinks, I asked them to serve the roselle and pineapple slush first. Both were decent, but the pineapple slush had a layer of Sichuan peppercorn jelly and whole peppercorns on top, which was quite unique—but I just wanted a plain pineapple slush...

After trying this branch at Taipei Main Station once, I thought it was pretty good. Might come back again if I get the chance.
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Kai Fan Chuan Shi Tang (Taipei Main Station Branch)
Address: No. 1, Section 1, Chengde Rd., Datong District, Taipei City (B3, Taipei Main Station station square mall)
Business hours: 11:30 AM–3:00 PM, 5:30 PM–9:30 PM
Phone: 02-25565788
 

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