Limited-edition imported beef sukiyaki – Affordable Japanese cuisine tucked away in Xinyi District alleys

Text and photos byDaKou (Big Mouth)

I’ve been frequently traveling to Taipei on assignments lately and have noticed so many new restaurants popping up all over the city—literally like mushrooms after the rain. Each one has its own unique charm, making me eager to explore them whenever I get the chance. Recently, a friend recommended an affordable “authentic Japanese cuisine” spot hidden in the alleys of Taipei, and as a big fan of Japanese food, I immediately gathered some friends for a food adventure.

“Pure Japanese Cuisine” is located just behind Exit 1 of Taipei City Hall MRT Station. Even though I often come to this area for work, I had no idea there was a Japanese restaurant tucked away here. The interior of “Pure Japanese Cuisine” features a rustic wooden minimalist style, emphasizing warmth, comfort, and fresh ingredients. It’s not just about using fresh ingredients—the cleanliness and hygiene of both the kitchen and dining area are meticulously maintained. The kitchen is thoroughly cleaned and disinfected every day after closing, and a professional pest control company is called in weekly for additional sanitization, ensuring diners can eat with peace of mind.

In addition to its friendly pricing, “Pure Japanese Cuisine” also employs chefs from renowned establishments who focus on preserving ingredient freshness and avoid over-processing, allowing customers to enjoy more natural and delicious flavors. Now, let’s take a closer look at the mouthwatering dishes at “Pure Japanese Cuisine”!

%The restaurant is located just behind Exit 1 of Taipei City Hall MRT Station, nestled in a small alleyway that emits a warm glow. It looks just like the kind of cozy Japanese eatery you’d stumble upon while wandering the streets of Japan.

%Upon entering, you’ll find wooden-textured tables and chairs paired with simple decor and design, making the space feel bright and welcoming.

%The seating area here is quite spacious and comfortable. Aside from regular tables, there’s also a counter area where you can watch the chefs in action—perfect for those who want a front-row seat to the culinary performance. The interior is elegantly minimalistic with a classic charm, offering a very cozy dining environment.

%The restaurant also displays many professional knives used in high-end kitchens. Among the professional knives used by chefs in Japan, 90% are X:Da blades. Since 1987, they have even been designated as traditional Japanese crafts.

%The images here showcase the sharpness and elegance of these X:Da blades. The brand is known for its relentless pursuit of artful knife craftsmanship and preserving the natural flavors of ingredients—perfectly aligned with the chef’s dedication to quality and refined taste.

%The soup stock served here is made following a traditional recipe provided by the shop.

%First up is the signature assorted sashimi platter (440 TWD), featuring salmon, tuna, kingfish, and scallops. The presentation is simple, but the large, fresh slices of sashimi paired with freshly grated wasabi are incredibly enticing.

%You can clearly see the thickness of each piece. I tried the scallop first—it was almost melt-in-your-mouth tender, with a burst of sweetness that filled my mouth, and zero fishy taste. The freshness is unbeatable.

%Next is the tuna, a personal favorite. One bite and you’re hooked—soft, fatty, and incredibly flavorful, it’s sweet, rich, and utterly delicious.

%I also recommend the sea urchin hand rolls (240 TWD), the Australian asparagus shrimp hand rolls (70 TWD). The sea urchin is layered generously—it’s such a huge portion. It’s super sweet with a slight fruity note and almost no fishiness at all. Sea urchin lovers, don’t miss this one. The shrimp in the asparagus hand roll is Q-textured and delicious, complemented by the fresh asparagus and seasoned with bonito flakes for an extra layer of flavor—simple but amazing.

%Another great pick is the assorted nigiri (280 TWD). The price is really generous. You can barely see the rice underneath all the generous toppings. This set of nigiri actually has a pretty good portion size, with a colorful array of fresh sashimi. Especially the scallops and grilled salmon—they practically call out to you. Go ahead and try them. The grilled sashimi has a nice smoky aroma, firmer texture, and adds a nice depth of flavor.

%The salmon, yellowtail, red snapper, and tuna are all quite good too. As long as the ingredients are fresh, the natural flavors really shine.

%The scallop sushi (80 TWD) has a slight sake aroma and a mildly sweet, appetizing taste. The yuzu radish (80 TWD) is also very refreshing, crisp, and lightly fragrant with yuzu—delicious and light.

%The tempura vegetable set (140 TWD) includes shrimp, eggplant, mushrooms, tomatoes, and comes with a special mashed radish tempura dipping sauce.

%After frying, the tempura vegetables have a nice crispy texture. They’re not overly oily and have a satisfying crunch. The sauce adds a nice savory kick, making it pretty enjoyable overall.

%Next is the daily special black cod collar (420 TWD). This dish is only available on the day it’s ordered. The moment it arrived, I was drawn to its glossy, slightly charred exterior.

%The black cod collar is grilled until the outside is crispy and the inside remains tender. It pairs well with either lemon juice or a sprinkle of salt and pepper. The meat is delicate, tender, and flavorful, with a nice umami saltiness and almost no bones—you can eat it with confidence. It’s also a great dish to enjoy with a drink. (Under 18, please don’t drink.)

● ETtoday Eastday News reminds you: Don’t drink and drive. Don’t drive if you’ve been drinking.

%The soft-shell crab sushi (200 TWD) is surprisingly large, almost the size of a palm—so big you definitely can’t finish it in one bite. The soft-shell crab is paired with sweet tamagoyaki (Japanese omelet), resulting in a deliciously sweet and crispy bite.

%The premium pork loin sushi (160 TWD) shows off its fine marbling. The outer layer is grilled and sprinkled with black pepper, giving it a unique appearance. The texture is chewy and juicy, with a savory richness that gets more delicious the more you chew.

%The miso-marinated lamb chops (130 TWD) come with a side salad and fresh veggies. Just looking at it makes you want to take a bite. The lamb chops are incredibly tender and juicy, not at all gamey. The miso glaze masks any faint gaminess with its aromatic sweetness, resulting in a nicely balanced salty-sweet flavor.

%The sukiyaki set (780 TWD for two) is a hearty meal in itself. It includes a whole pot of fresh vegetables, two raw eggs, udon noodles, sukiyaki sauce, and two portions of American wagyu beef—nutritious and indulgent. But sukiyaki is limited, so it’s best to make a reservation if you want to try it.

%The American wagyu beef used is top-quality, and each day’s batch is personally inspected by the chef. If the meat doesn’t meet their standards, it won’t be served that day—so you might miss out on this delicious sukiyaki if you’re not quick enough.

After thoroughly enjoying the sukiyaki, we also hope that everyone can have a healthy and hearty meal, especially during the promotional period where you can enjoy fresh vegetables. It’s not only delicious on its own, but you can also pair it with many different side dishes.　

Many ingredients used in the dishes served at the buffet are freshly prepared right in front of you, so they look even more appealing and appetizing.

The rich aroma, the fresh vegetables, and the tender meat are all incredibly flavorful. Doesn’t the broth here taste amazing? It’s actually better than the sukiyaki sauce itself.

The high-quality ingredients really shine—huge slices of wagyu beef quickly cover the entire pot surface as soon as they’re added. The beef only needs to be lightly seared until it turns slightly pink before it’s ready to be scooped out.

Each piece here is incredibly tender and juicy. The meat is soft and tender, bursting with sweet juices, and when paired with the mildly sweet sukiyaki sauce, it tastes absolutely delicious on its own. The sweet sukiyaki actually has an appetizing effect too (wow~). Later, just cook the udon noodles in the broth for a few minutes. Friends who don’t eat raw eggs can crack them into the soup like Daku did, and cook the udon together with the eggs. Then scoop everything out together to enjoy. The udon is super chewy and smooth, absorbing all the sweet and savory sukiyaki flavors—every bite is full of delicious sweetness. You’ll finish it all in no time with those satisfying slurps.

Other recommended sides include the scallop soup (80 TWD), which also comes in generous portions. Especially the big scallops—the scallop meat is incredibly tender and juicy, and the broth is rich and delicious, making you feel energized after drinking it.

There are quite a few options available here: a la carte dishes (around 30 TWD), clam soup (80 TWD), as well as set meals (available from Monday to Friday lunchtime), combo meals (please book 2 days in advance), sashimi, hand rolls, salads, sushi, nigiri, simmered, fried, grilled items, soups, soft drinks, side dishes, and alcoholic beverages—there’s quite a selection. Additionally, dishes marked with one star are chef’s recommendations, while those with two stars are must-try delicacies. Here’s some info for you all to check out.

“Pure Japanese Cuisine” doesn’t go for flashy or luxurious decor, but instead offers a rustic and cozy dining environment along with fresh, delicious ingredients—all at reasonable and affordable prices, allowing customers to enjoy great value for money. There are plenty of dishes to choose from, and some that left a deep impression on Daku include the horse dung sea urchin hand rolls, soft-shell crab sushi, soy-glazed lamb chops, salt-grilled yellowtail, and sukiyaki—all of which were so delicious that Daku didn’t want the meal to end. Of course, the sashimi and nigiri also performed well in terms of freshness and texture.

The atmosphere at “Pure Japanese Cuisine” is simple and comfortable, making it perfect for gatherings with friends or colleagues. Daku personally thinks it’s also great as a personal treat-yourself spot. Recommended for any interested friends—if you get the chance, come give it a try. You might just find a dish that surprises and delights you even more.

[Restaurant Information]
Pure Japanese Cuisine
Address: No. 5, Lane 18, Alley 31, Section 5, Zhongxiao East Road, Xinyi District, Taipei City (inside the alley behind Exit 1 of Taipei City Hall MRT Station)
Phone: 02-27495688
Business Hours: 11:30–14:15, 17:30–21:15 (Monday–Saturday)
FB Fan Page:Please click here

Daku’s Travel School
Check it out: Daku and Koume’s Colorful Neon Lights