Pork intestines, Korean fried chicken, grilled rice balls – Kaburi Izakaya offers a feast of international cuisines

Text & Photos /DaKou

This time, DaKou is taking you all to Taipei for another food adventure！ Located in Lane 11, LeLi Road, Taipei City, “Kaburi Private Izakaya Western-Japanese Fusion,” has been around for nearly a decade. The name “Kaburi” originally means kitchen counter, symbolizing the desire to bring guests closer to the chefs, allowing them to chat and dine together. The owner draws inspiration from Okinawan cuisine, which, due to Okinawa’s historical trade ties with China, Korea, Southeast Asia, and a brief period under American administration, blends elements from these cultures into its uniquely diverse dishes. The first floor of “Kaburi Private Izakaya Western-Japanese Fusion” is filled with a rich Japanese atmosphere, while the basement is designed like a private home, offering guests a relaxed space to enjoy food and drinks. Come here to chow down on meat, sip drinks, and savor borderless international cuisines. Aside from the delicious food and drinks, you’ll also enjoy the warm hospitality of the owner – it’s an absolutely delightful experience！ Next, let’s take a look at what delicious offerings “Kaburi Private Izakaya Western-Japanese Fusion” has in store！ (Under 18s, please do not drink alcohol.)

【Restaurant Info】
Kaburi Private Izakaya Western-Japanese Fusion
Address: No. 8, Lane 11, LeLi Road, Da’an District, Taipei City (About a 10-minute walk from Liuzhangli MRT Station)
Phone: (02)-2737-2843 (It’s recommended to make a reservation by phone in advance)
Business Hours: Mon–Thu 18:00–1:30, Fri–Sat & eve of holidays 18:00–2:30, Sun closed
Official Facebook:Click here to link

%The interior features a distinct split-level design. The ground floor has a more traditional izakaya vibe, while the basement offers a more spacious private-house-like setting where guests can dine and drink comfortably and relaxedly. It’s really lively here. During peak meal hours, the place gets pretty crowded, so we recommend making a reservation in advance to secure your spot.

%The layout isn’t overly large. Some tables are along the counter, while others are in independent booths. There’s also a tatami area downstairs. This time, we dined in the basement, which offers a completely different ambiance from upstairs.

%The basement isn’t very big, but some tables are along the counter, while others are in independent booths. There’s also a tatami area. This time, we dined in the basement, which offers a completely different ambiance from upstairs.

%The basement also has a private room, which is great for gatherings with friends. It’s quite cozy.

%The menu is mostly seafood or pork-based, as most of their ingredients are either fresh or smoked. We went with the latter option this time, and it turned out to be the better choice in terms of taste.

%Chilled Tofu with Sesame (180 NTD) – The cool, tender tofu carries a rich sesame aroma. Paired with pea sprouts and tomatoes, it adds a refreshing touch, with a faint hint of dried bonito flavor at the end.

%Pork Intestine Salad (180 NTD) – The chilled pork intestine salad is refreshing and tangy. However, it might not be for everyone.

%Grilled King Oyster Mushrooms (7 skewers for 525 NTD) – The king oyster mushrooms are grilled until slightly dry but still retain their juiciness inside. You can really taste the original flavor of the mushrooms – crispy and delicious.

%Grilled Chicken Thigh Skewers (180 NTD) – The chicken thigh skewers are juicy and flavorful. They aren’t too oily, which is great.

%Udon Pancake (180 NTD) – Similar to okonomiyaki, these udon pancakes include mayonnaise, bonito flakes, and the sweetness of vegetables. They’re savory, sweet, and juicy. The udon is smooth and tasty, and the sweetness really hits the spot for DaKou.

%Oden Hot Pot (300 NTD) – This oden is packed full of ingredients that are almost overflowing. The broth is super sweet and flavorful. There’s a good variety of ingredients, and the best part is that there’s little repetition, so you get to try many different kinds in one go. Among them, DaKou especially loves the burdock taiyaki – you can actually taste the texture of the burdock, and it’s super sweet and delicious.

%Vegetable Salad with Dressing (180 NTD) – A rich mix of fresh greens paired with a sweet and sour, refreshing dressing. It’s super appetizing. Especially that soft, semi-cooked egg – tender and unforgettable.

%Semi-Cooked Egg Salad with Tofu (200 NTD) – What makes this dish special is the addition of a semi-cooked egg. When mixed in, it becomes smoother and easier to eat. Plus, the American-style spam adds a touch of sweetness and tenderness. The mountain bitter melon isn’t as bitter as expected – instead, it’s crispy and slightly sweet. Paired with silky tofu, it’s refreshing and appetizing.

%Grilled Chicken Thigh with Salted Cod Roe (150 NTD) – Here comes the salted cod roe！ Combining these two delicious ingredients is simply unbeatable. Golden, crispy grilled chicken thigh skewers paired with the salty-sweet salted cod roe – it’s just perfect.

%Grilled Chicken Thigh with Salted Cod Roe (150 NTD) – The grilled chicken thigh with salted cod roe is crispy on the outside and juicy inside. The salted cod roe adds a salty-sweet kick.

%Pork Intestine Fries (220 NTD) – Crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, the pork intestines are glossy and soft. Sprinkled with pepper, they’re savory with a touch of sweetness.

%Grilled Pork Intestine (180 NTD) – The grilled pork intestine doesn’t have a strong smell. It’s tender and flavorful.

%Grilled Quail Eggs (200 NTD) – The quail eggs are juicy when bitten into. Adding seven-spice powder enhances the flavor, giving it a savory-sweet taste. You can also add kumquat or lemon for fragrance and to cut through the grease, or spread some mayo on top for a different flavor.

(% ...), the squid sausage is adorned with round mentaiko on top, making it look adorable and pleasing to the eye. Who would have thought this dish is actually a big favorite among everyone!

(...). When combined with mentaiko — the best friend of izakayas — the dual flavors of oily richness and sweet saltiness melt in your mouth, making for an incredibly delicious pairing!

(... 200 TWD), who knew they also served Korean fried chicken here, which has been all the rage lately? The taste is somewhat similar to ... crispy texture, juicy inside, and very flavorful!

(... 180 TWD), the potatoes are soft, fluffy, and sweet, paired with tender pork and sweet meat juices — absolutely delicious. The bottom part is more moist and well-seasoned too!

(... 200 TWD), the meat is tender and finely textured, grilled slightly dry. Squeezing some lemon juice on it makes it even better. The savory flavor pairs really well with drinks. (Friendly reminder: Please do not drink alcohol if you're under 18!)

(... 220 TWD), I’ve never seen so much mentaiko it almost completely covers the flatfish. The fish is delicate and tender, with very few bones. The grilled mentaiko, slightly charred, is incredibly delicious, and pairs perfectly with the tender, slightly fatty fish.

(... 65 TWD), even though I was already pretty full at this point, seeing this grilled rice ball still made me couldn’t help but take a big bite right away!

(...), with a flavor that’s somewhat similar to ..., a bit tangy and savory, and you can adjust how much you mix according to your own taste.

(...), there’s a spicy tangy flavor, mixed with a bit of minced garlic and pickled radish, which is very fresh. Although it’s already quite late when I ate this, I still found it really tasty. Even though my stomach was pretty full, I felt the combination was really satisfying!

(... cabbage 180 TWD), combining delicious mentaiko and cheese — how could we possibly resist this?! Look at how stretchy the melted cheese is, it feels like they didn’t hold back on the ingredients. It has the sweetness of the cabbage, the aroma of the cheese, plus a hint of the oceanic taste from the mentaiko and seafood — it’s super savory and sweet together. Cheese lovers and mentaiko fans, just go ahead and order this dish!

(... beef skewers 2 skewers 180 TWD), the slightly charred beef skewers are topped with a generous amount of chopped green onions and onions, offering a unique visual and flavor experience. The beef has a good chew to it, bursting with sweet meat juices. Paired with the green onions and onions, it gives a rather special taste, with different textures and layers of flavor.

(We were able to try so many different types of dishes ...), having a group of people allows you to order such a variety and share them together. Eating and chatting made the whole experience really fun!

“Kaburi Private Izakaya Western-Japanese食堂” is located in a quiet alley on Le Li Road in the bustling city of Taipei. The overall decor is filled with a strong Japanese vibe, with a touch of Okinawan warmth, making you feel relaxed and at ease. The menu fuses Japanese, Chinese, American, and even a bit of Korean cuisine. These borderless creative fusion dishes are very popular, especially for mentaiko lovers — you must come here, we guarantee you’ll have an amazing time eating. “Kaburi Private Izakaya Western-Japanese食堂” is perfect for hanging out with close friends or colleagues. For larger groups, you can make a reservation in advance. The basement private room can accommodate up to about 50 people, making it feel just like home — very comfortable. Recommended for anyone interested, be sure to give it a try when you get the chance. Experience these borderless creative dishes and enjoy a lively and joyful evening!

[Restaurant Info]
Kaburi Private Izakaya Western-Japanese食堂
Address: No. 8, Lane 11, Le Li Road, Da’an District, Taipei City (About a 10-minute walk from Liuzhangli MRT Station)
Phone: (02)-2737-2843 (It’s recommended to make a phone reservation in advance)
Business Hours: Monday to Thursday 18:00–1:30 AM, Friday, Saturday, and holidays eve 18:00–2:30 AM, Closed on Sundays
Official Facebook: Click here to link