There are more and more delicious food options — 5 newly opened chain restaurants in Hsinchu since summer vacation

Tourism Center / Comprehensive Report

Targeting the huge business opportunities in Hsinchu’s Hsinchu Science Park, an increasing number of restaurant operators have been opening branches in the area. For example, Haidilao, a mainland Chinese hot pot chain, recently opened its Hsinchu branch, and PUTIEN Putian, a Michelin-honored brand, launched its Hsinchu branch in Zhubei’s Guangming District in mid-August. Since the start of the summer vacation, a total of five new restaurants have opened in the Hsinchu area.

▲ Hundred-second yellow croaker. Premium yellow croakers are flame-grilled for exactly 100 seconds to lock in their tender texture and bring out their natural umami flavor. (Photo / Reporter Huang Shiyuan)

PUTIEN Putian
The Chinese dining brand “PUTIEN Putian,” introduced to Taiwan by the Din Tai Fung Group, has earned one Michelin star at its Singapore flagship store in Keong Saik. Following openings in Taipei, Taichung, and Taoyuan, its fourth branch has now landed in Zhubei, Hsinchu. The PUTIEN Zhubei Guangming Branch officially opened on August 16th, offering food lovers in the Hsinchu and Miaoli areas yet another starred dining destination.

“PUTIEN Putian” is the first international brand distributed by the Din Tai Fung Group. Its menu blends flavors from Singaporean cuisine such as laksa, ayam buah keluak, and Nyonya dishes. Both the “Very Singaporean” and “Top 10 Putian Dishes” are must-tries, with Chef Wang Yingqin personally recommending Crispy Taro Hearts and Premium Spicy Pork Knuckle.

Zhubei Guangming Branch
Address: No. 156, Section 1, East Guangming 6th Road, Zhubei City, Hsinchu County
Phone: 03-550-8152

▲ Haidilao at Hsinchu Big City Department Store officially opened on August 25. (Photo / Provided by Hsinchu Big City Department Store)

Haidilao
Targeting the vast commercial opportunities in Hsinchu’s Hsinchu Science Park, Haidilao, the mainland Chinese hot pot chain, chose Hsinchu Big City Department Store for its first store outside of the Taipei and New Taipei areas. As its fourth branch in Taiwan, it officially opened to the public in Hsinchu on August 25, offering nearly 300 seats across approximately 200 ping (about 660 m²) of space.

Hsinchu has long been dubbed a “food desert” with little nightlife. Haidilao helps fill both gaps, operating from 11:00 AM to 3:00 AM the next day and known for its “over-the-top service.” That includes free drinks, manicures, and shoe shining while you wait, as well as tableside cooking, noodle-pulling performances, and Sichuan face-changing acts during the meal. After opening phone reservations on August 18, lines were constantly busy, and the store saw large crowds during its trial operation from August 21 to 24.

Address: 4F, No. 323, Xida Road, Hsinchu City, Hsinchu Big City Department Store
Service Hotline: 03-5233370, 03-5233390

▲ Sarabeth’s New Siam More SOGO Hsinchu branch’s limited-edition shrimp fritter Benedict. (Photo / Sarabeth’s Taiwan)

Sarabeth’s
The “Queen of New York Breakfast,” Sarabeth’s Taiwan, opened its third location on July 9 at SOGO New Siam More Hsinchu. Open daily from 9:00 AM, it serves authentic New York cuisine any time of day. During its opening period, brunch menus were available all day, featuring classic French toast, eggs Benedict, and pancakes. Founder Sarabeth Levine also specially created two exclusive dishes for the Hsinchu SOGO branch: Shrimp Fritter Benedict and Sarabeth’s Family Banana Pound Cake.

Location: 2F, 239 Zhongzheng Road, Hsinchu City (SOGO New Siam More Hsinchu)

▲ CooKBEEF!’s sous-vide beef steak. (Photo / Huang Shiyuan)

CooKBEEF ! 酷必
CooKBEEF ! 酷必, a brand under the Din Tai Fung Group that fuses Western-style steaks with Eastern rice dishes, opened its third branch in July, located in the Hsinchu area. CooKBEEF ! emphasizes crafting five-star quality steak rice at affordable prices, with main courses priced between NT$220 and NT$320. The five signature dishes include options with beef, pork, and duck: CooK Sous-vide Beef Steak, Jazz Rose Steak, Wild Short Rib, Rockin’ Cherry Duck, and BBQ Tatu Pork. The star item is the CooK Sous-vide Beef Steak — a medium-rare, pink sous-vide beef steak sliced into 1 cm-thick pieces, served atop Taiwanese Zhusui rice with a half-boiled egg to satisfy any meat lover’s craving.

Zhubei Big City Branch
Address: 4F, No. 229, Zhongzheng Road, East District, Hsinchu City

▲ Xiang Tai Duo’s Thai Basil Pork. (Photo / Xiang Tai Duo)

Xiang Tai Duo
Xiang Bin Leisure Group has been actively expanding this year. In addition to launching the new brand “Xiang Xiang” in June, another brand, “Xiang Tai Duo Siam More Thai Restaurant,” opened its fourth branch on August 14 at Hsinchu Big City Department Store. Anticipating the growing local taste for authentic Thai cuisine, Xiang Tai Duo’s menu not only features popular localized Thai flavors but also includes dishes representing Thailand’s five major regional cuisines.

Xiang Tai Duo Hsinchu Branch
Address: 3F, No. 323, Xida Road, Hsinchu City (3F, Hsinchu Big City Department Store)
Phone: 03-5256768