Exclusive Visit to KURA Sushi Taiwan’s First Store – Can You Actually Play a Crane Game Here?

During the trial period, the store opens at 12 PM. Jeff arrived just before 11 AM and there were already people queuing up, with the crowd growing as it got closer to 12. Because Jeff had priority counter seating, he was the second customer to be seated.

Upon entering, the staff hands you a table number card, and then you proceed to the dining area. Once seated, I noticed many fun and unique features. First, there’s a touchscreen ordering system above each seat (available for both table and counter seating), and at the very top, there’s a crane game machine. Apparently, if you return five used plates to the collection area, the touchscreen will display a game, and if you win, a prize capsule will drop down — inside is a cute conveyor belt sushi-themed phone charm.


▲ Automated ordering system.


▲ You can play a crane game while eating sushi?


▲ Automated plate return slot.

After checking out the environment, I was ready to eat. Like most conveyor belt sushi spots, hot water is provided for tea, but KURA goes a step further by offering matcha powder instead of tea bags. For sauces, besides soy sauce, there’s also Japanese soy paste, yuzu vinegar, shichimi spice, and salt. And for wasabi — the most important part of sushi — they don’t use packets, but freshly ground real wasabi. When picking up sushi, the lids on the rotating belt are specially designed so that when you lift the plate slightly, the lid flips up automatically, without worrying about it falling off.


▲ The wasabi isn’t in a packet — it’s freshly grated from a whole root.

Jeff started with his favorite grilled cheese salmon roll (yes, it has cheese!). While the ingredients weren’t the highest grade, they tasted better than those at typical conveyor belt sushi places, and the sushi rice wasn’t ice cold — Jeff really enjoyed it. He then ordered scallops, which at NT$40 for that size and melt-in-your-mouth texture, offered great value. He also grabbed shrimp, salmon, and tuna nigiri, all of which felt worth more than NT$40. The grilled cheese salmon roll left such an impression that he decided to get another one, but it had already sold out on the belt. So he used the touchscreen ordering system — it’s very user-friendly, shows estimated wait times, and gives an audio alert when your order is almost ready. Before long, the grilled cheese salmon roll arrived right on the second-tier conveyor belt in front of him.

After finishing five plates, the touchscreen started showing animations, and my much-anticipated lucky draw began. Despite my usual bad luck, I actually won this time — it was a salmon nigiri phone charm.


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Since Jeff had a burger for breakfast and wasn’t able to eat much, he only had seven plates. At checkout, you simply press the checkout button on the touchscreen, and a staff member comes over to confirm how many plates you had, then you take your table number to the payment counter. During the trial period, if you like KURA’s official Facebook page and check in, you’ll get a 10% discount.

 Kura Sushi Songjiang Nanjing Store
Address: B1, 101, Section 2, Nanjing East Road, Zhongshan District, Taipei City
Price: NT$40 per plate (excluding special menu items)
Trial operation hours: December 16 – December 29, 12:00 – 21:00 (last order at 20:30)