Taipei’s Italian risotto specialty shop — creamy truffle risotto with 5 large shrimp!

Text and photos byZhou Huahua

I’ve always preferred risotto over pasta, but it’s rare to find good risotto at an affordable price, which makes me like 《Pa Pa Rice Italian Risotto Specialty Shop》 even more. Not only does it have outstanding signature risotto, but its bread, soups, and appetizers are all excellent, instantly topping Taipei’s risotto rankings.

Pa Pa Rice Italian Risotto Specialty Shop
Recommendation rating: ★★★★☆ 4 stars
Short review: Recommended Italian cuisine in Taipei, great atmosphere suitable for gatherings and dates

The shop is located in a lane on Yanji Street, near the side of Bade Road and Civic Boulevard. It’s about the same distance from Xiaotuguan Metro Station, Zhongxiao Dunhua Station, and National Dr. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall Station — roughly a 10-minute walk from any of them. Though not extremely convenient, its quiet charm in a busy area makes it perfect for relaxing gatherings after work.

Visiting on a weeknight, the whole shop was packed, with more customers coming in to ask about seating. You can tell this place must be really good, making people willing to walk a bit further just to eat here. It’s recommended to make a reservation before coming. The industrial-style interior has the vibe of a cozy tavern, easily creating a relaxed atmosphere suitable for all kinds of gatherings.

The menu at 《Pa Pa Rice Italian Risotto Specialty Shop》 is as follows

The minimum spend is NT$150 per person, with no additional service charge. The absence of a 10% service fee is a big plus for me. As the name suggests, being a risotto specialty shop, there are many flavors to choose from, including plenty of creative dishes. Even if you come often, you won’t get bored. In addition, there are various appetizers and pasta dishes. All main courses can be upgraded to a set meal for an extra NT$120 or NT$160.

Set meal bread

Soft baguette baked to a crispy golden brown, with a soft texture. Spread with garlic butter — simple and delicious.

This is probably the most satisfying set meal soup I’ve had recently. It doesn’t have the greasy texture that creamy soups often do, with a slightly sweet taste that’s quite likable. There’s also a generous amount of mushrooms — very high quality.

Spanish vegetable frittata — NT$200

There are many ways to make Spanish frittata. Although Zhou Huahua personally prefers the version with potatoes, this vegetable-filled one is also delicious. A mix of cauliflower, green beans, tomatoes, and other seasonal vegetables, baked with cheese. The diverse textures are very rich, and the key to its deliciousness is the delicate, smooth, and juicy frittata — everyone gave it high praise.

Handmade cheese duck meatballs — NT$200

This is probably, aside from the risotto, the signature dish at 《Pa Pa Rice Italian Risotto Specialty Shop》. Combining fresh pork and smoked duck, wrapped with cheese and rolled into balls before deep-frying, the presentation is unique and appealing. Mozzarella cheese has a strong stringy effect — just cut it open and you’ll see this mouthwatering scene. The meat is tender without being dry. It’s highly recommended to dip it in the diced tomatoes on the plate — the sweet and sour flavor enhances the duck meatballs, offering a completely different taste!

Tomato basil chicken quesadilla — NT$250

The quesadilla is quite large, so it’s recommended for groups of 3–4 or more, otherwise it might take up more than half your stomach. The crispy tortilla is filled with tomato sauce, basil leaves, grilled chicken, and mozzarella cheese. Just looking at the cross-section shows how generously it’s filled. The mildly spicy seasoning is very appetizing. Today, all three appetizers were delicious.

Pan-seared shrimp creamy truffle risotto — NT$350

Here comes the main course. Let me introduce today’s favorite dish by Zhou Huahua. The shrimp are lined up impressively — just looking at them makes you think they’re super delicious. You have to hold back your drool while taking the photo. Each shrimp is prepared and ready to eat after simply removing the head and tail. The searing is perfectly done, sealing in the moisture. With simple seasoning, you can taste the briny flavor of the sea from the first bite — that’s freshness!

“Creamy truffle risotto” is almost a staple dish at every Italian restaurant.

But honestly, there aren’t many that are delicious enough to make you nostalgic. 《Pa Pa Rice Italian Risotto Specialty Shop》 has achieved that. The risotto is cooked with chicken bone broth, not only rich in creamy aroma but also with the sweetness of the broth. Coupled with the occasional whiff of truffle, although Taiwanese rice is used, the separate grains with visible rice hearts still have a rather impressive texture. It satisfies you from the first to the last bite. Highly recommend trying this dish — it’s really delicious!

Savory fried chicken apple and red bell pepper mash risotto — NT$360

Combining Taiwanese-style savory fried chicken and fruit in a dish is the shop’s proud creative cuisine. The savory fried chicken has a texture similar to spare ribs, and it’s fried to a high standard. If it were an appetizer, I’d want to order it on its own.

The risotto sauce is reduced and retains the rice heart, maintaining its consistently high standard. The fruity aroma bursts out in the first bite, effectively neutralizing the greasiness that fried food can have when it cools. The two pair very well together, offering a new experience both visually and in taste.

Pine nut green pesto smoked duck breast risotto — NT$260

The green pesto and duck breast create a contrasting color scheme, making for a visually striking dish. The shop’s special basil sauce has a rather strong flavor. Compared to the previous two dishes, if sharing among many, it’s recommended to have it later in the meal. But the green pesto can get a bit greasy when it cools, so it’s best to enjoy it while hot.

Fruit tea and fresh milk tea (fresh milk costs an extra 20 NT$)

End this wonderful meal with a cool refreshing drink — it's no exaggeration to say even the drinks are delicious here!

Thanks to "Pa Pa Rice Italian Risotto Specialty" for the invitation, allowing me to finally taste their amazing risotto. The top recommendation is the "Pan-Seared King Prawns Cream Truffle Risotto." The harmonious and bold aroma of truffle and cream still lingers in my memory when I think back to this food review — it’s truly delicious. For those who love Italian risotto as much as I do, you should definitely give it a try.

Pa Pa Rice Italian Risotto Specialty
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Address: No. 6, Lane 30, Yanji Street, Songshan District, Taipei City
Phone: 02 2577 0711
Business Hours: Monday–Sunday, 12:00–15:30, 17:30–21:00

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