Taoyuan’s Ultra-Rich Salted Cod Roe “Chicken Cutlet” with Cheesy Strings — Plus a Secret Menu!

Text and Photos by /Viviyu

Located near the Zhongli Industrial Park, there's a magical chicken cutlet shop tucked away in an alleyway. It’s said that different flavors of chicken cutlets appear daily, often offering delightful surprises, and the variety of options is truly overwhelming — it made me want to try it so badly that I only succeeded on my fourth visit!

Chen Ji Crispy Chicken also has several branches in Taoyuan, but the one with the most variety is the flagship store — Zhongyuan Branch. It’s always packed whenever I pass by. This time, determined to finally try it, I succeeded!

Seeing the sign that says “We insist on making things that are hard to like,” I couldn’t help but laugh. I thought the sign was hilarious, yet the business is doing so well!

For first-timers like me, if you want to order a chicken cutlet, just look up, grab a clip, and place it on the edge of a bowl. The different colors represent different flavors. The signature here is the Salted Cod Roe & Cheese Chicken Cutlet. For the hidden limited-edition chicken cutlets, you can ask the staff about the flavors of the day. On my visit, they had Kimchi Chicken Cutlet, but considering my kid doesn’t really eat spicy food, I decided not to get it.

Most ingredients are stored in refrigerated cabinets — just pick one to represent a single portion, and the staff will help add the rest to reach the right amount. They even have rare fried durian here, which seems to have a loyal following.

You can refer to the ingredients usually available on the wall. They often release limited-time or limited-quantity items. If you have questions about ingredient pricing, you can always ask the staff.

The secret menu item of the day also included a half chicken. Well, I do love trying secret menu items, but attempting it right after having sukiyaki was almost impossible. I originally thought about taking it home for dinner, but considering that fried food is best eaten hot, I’ll save it for next time!

Chen Ji Crispy Chicken has been featured in various media programs, and the walls are covered with autographs from celebrities. There’s also an ordering process chart above — if you’re unsure how to order, just follow the instructions.

After picking the ingredients you want, place them on the left track. Adding spice is also done with a clip — it’s a super professional system that speeds up the ordering process.

Honestly, when I got here, I wanted to try everything. If I weren’t so full, I probably would’ve filled my bowl to the brim. There are many unique ingredients — even the dried tofu is pre-marinated and looks super tasty.

After ordering, you’ll receive this electronic pickup device. But don’t be like me and walk too far, thinking you can wait in the car. Its range isn’t very far. Fortunately, I got out to check, or the staff might’ve thought I’d disappeared…

Luckily, I didn’t have to wait too long. Sometimes, when it’s crowded or students get out of school nearby, waiting half an hour is pretty normal. The moment I put the chicken cutlet in the car, the aroma hit instantly — my two kids immediately started begging to eat it!! We had just had lunch not long ago!

Fried Century Egg — NT$40

I hadn’t originally ordered this, but then I remembered my second sister saying it was delicious, and the staff recommended it too, so I gave it a try. The preparation is somewhat like takoyaki — the fried century egg is topped with mayonnaise and bonito flakes. It has a sweet flavor. Maybe because I’m used to three-cup century egg, I found this taste a bit unusual, but my sister really liked it.

Original Cheese Chicken Cutlet — NT$70

At first glance, the price might seem a bit high, but take a look at the molten cheese stuffed inside the chicken cutlet — it’s actually great value. A regular chicken cutlet alone is NT$55, and this one comes with a generous amount of cheese and is super big. Our group of four struggled to finish two pieces between us...

At first, we were saying we couldn’t find the cheese, and some were even looking for it before even biting in. But the moment you bite into it, the cheese literally bursts out like lava erupting from a volcano. Be very careful when eating it!!

Just look at the kids — their bites are full of stretchy cheese!

Please ignore his unhappy face — it’s because Mom told him to wait for a photo and wouldn’t let him enjoy his food, haha!

Salted Cod Roe & Cheese Chicken Cutlet — NT$75

A先生 (Mr. A) and I shared the Salted Cod Roe & Cheese Chicken Cutlet. Between the two flavors, I personally preferred this one because the salted cod roe adds another layer of taste, whereas the original cheese version can be a bit plain. However, the original version is more suitable for kids. Taste is really subjective — what I think is delicious, you might not, so please take this food review as a reference. The best way is to try it on-site and see if it suits your taste!

Just look at our group enjoying it right by the roadside — you can tell how amazing these chicken cutlets are. They’re really best eaten hot to get that molten cheese effect, and the cheese is perfect when it’s warm and gooey. My recommendation: buy it and eat it right away!

At first, Anita and Vincent said we got too little, and the two of them almost started arguing over the two chicken cutlets. I told them the portions are actually quite large, so sharing is just right. It turned out to be true — eating too much cheese can get cloying, so a two-person portion is ideal. Maybe adding a bit of spice could make it even better!

Previously, I saw someone post a check-in saying they ateRainbow Cheese Chicken Cutlet, which made me really want to try it too. But the boss is super unpredictable — the flavors you want are really a matter of luck. You can also call ahead to ask about the hidden flavors of the day!

Chen Ji Crispy Chicken - Zhongyuan Flagship Store
Phone: 0915 638 598
Address: No. 100, Zhongyuan Road, Zhongli District, Taoyuan City (Enter via the alley opposite YKk, next to 7-11)
Business Hours: Thursday to Sunday, 14:00 - 18:00 (Closed Monday to Wednesday)

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