Tainan Family-Style Dining Spot – Must-Try Grilled Mentaiko Chicken!

Text & Photos /Sean

Nanhe Shokudo – The Taste I often walk along Kaishan Road, and one day I happened to notice the shop sign at the entrance. However, it seemed they were still under renovation, so I quietly added them to my mental list of places to try once they opened. Unfortunately, I didn’t have time to visit during their soft opening days, so I could only wait for fate to bring us together. A few days later, as I passed by again, with the mindset that if I walked by, I had to try it, we stepped in for a taste of something new.

Many people choose to open shops in bustling, high-traffic areas. This logic seems sound, but based on my years of observation, it really depends on the type of products you’re selling and how difficult parking is. While a location with heavy foot and vehicle traffic does offer higher visibility, more passersby doesn’t necessarily translate to more customers walking in to spend money — and that’s a huge blind spot. On top of that, prime spots with lots of people come with higher rents, which can create significant monthly financial pressure. It can feel like money is chasing you down to the point of giving you stress-induced hair loss. If business is decent, when the first lease is up for renewal, you might face a rent hike from the landlord, or if it’s a one-year lease, you could be forced to move out even if business is good. And if your business is only average or below, doing it for the long haul can lead to discouragement or even losses, prompting you to just close up shop. I think many shop owners who painfully decide to shut down probably share these feelings and experiences. Running a shop is truly no easy feat.

Today’s feature, Nanhe Shokudo, has seen several different operators at the same location over the years. I believe the most fundamental factor for a shop to sustain long-term success is good food. So let’s see if they have what it takes.

The interior decor is simple, and there aren’t many seats.

Utensils and drinks are self-service, with no extra 10% service charge.

Here’s the menu:

There’s also a handwritten, non-permanent menu that adds variety while keeping the core offerings consistent.

Daikon Chicken Stew

The daikon is stewed until incredibly flavorful—not overly salty—and using the broth to eat with rice is absolutely amazing (the rice here is also better than at most other places). The chicken is pretty good too, though not as outstanding as the mentaiko chicken.

The side pickles are also flavorful and delicious.

The miso soup is hot, served in a generous portion, and has a smooth, pleasant taste. The onion soup I had before was also particularly enjoyable.

Tender Chicken Shreds Salad

The salad dressing is a Japanese-style sauce, possibly with a hint of mustard, so besides being tangy, it also has a slightly spicy aroma.

Beef Burger Patty

The first bite is full of rich beef aroma. The flavor of the meat sauce slightly overshadows the grilled aroma, which is a bit of a pity. When cut open, the cheese inside slowly oozes out — an extremely heartwarming sight that kids absolutely love.

The sugar-marinated egg, which I initially thought was just a side dish, turned out to be unexpectedly delicious and very well-seasoned.

Red Wine Braised Beef

The beef is tender and flavorful after braising, and the meat juice pairs excellently with rice. By the end of the whole set meal, I was really full.

Beef Short Rib Rice Bowl

There’s not much seasoning — it’s all about enjoying the quality of the meat. The beef here is good in both texture and portion size. Unfortunately, I’ve recently had wagyu short ribs, so this one is slightly outshined, though it’s still honorable in its own right.

We saved the best for last —Mentaiko Chicken

The chicken skin is crisply seared, and the mentaiko on top is also grilled. I think this dish, paired with the onion soup, could become Nanhe Shokudo’s signature item.

Nanhe Shokudo has simple decor and decent service speed. Although utensils are self-service, child-sized tableware is brought over as soon as they see kids, making it very family-friendly. The service attitude is also great. The flavors of the dishes are refreshing and palatable, suiting our family’s tastes. The area also has relatively convenient parking, which is a plus. I hope Nanhe Shokudo can keep going strong — after all, finding a dinner spot that’s close to home and suits your taste isn’t as easy as it sounds. The S family will also do our best to support them through our actions.

Nanhe Shokudo
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Business Hours: Weekdays: 11:30–15:00, 17:00–20:30
Holidays: 11:30–20:30 (15:00–17:00 only salad and drinks available)
For public holidays, please check the fan page announcement.
Address: No. 259, Kaisyuan Rd., West Central District, Tainan City

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