Irreplaceable Delicacies: 8 Beloved Restaurants That Have Closed

Reported by Huang Shiyuan / Taipei

A long-standing local favorite in Wanhua with over 50 years of history, Lizhu Mixed Noodle, suddenly announced its closure, leaving many regular customers deeply saddened. Besides Lizhu Mixed Noodle, several other well-known eateries have also shut their doors unexpectedly. ETNEWS has compiled a list of 8 memorable and delicious restaurants that diners will miss.

▲ Lizhu Mixed Noodle’s popular fried pork chops. (Photo / Lao K)

Lizhu Mixed Noodle
Lizhu Mixed Noodle is a well-known old eatery in the Wanhua area and is also recommended by food critic Hu Tianlan. As the name suggests, its signature dish is mixed noodle. Other customer favorites include fried pork chops, stir-fried rice noodles, and garlic-fried kidney slices—especially the fried pork chops, which are crispy on the outside yet tender inside. However, due to its policy of cooking orders fresh upon request, customers may wait up to 30 minutes for noodles and 40 minutes for stir-fries. The restaurant has also received mixed online reviews due to occasional reports of poor service. Lizhu Mixed Noodle closed on July 30.

▲ Burger Fix burger. (Photo / Provided)

Burger Fix
Burger Fix was established with investment from the renowned Grand Hyatt Taipei and specialized in steak-grade American-style handmade burgers. It operated on a semi-self-service model where customers selected items from a menu, which staff would confirm and price before the kitchen prepared the meals fresh. Staff then served the food, and customers paid at the counter after their meal. Burger Fix closed in September 2016.

▲ Plum Chicken. (Photo / Reporter Chen Shichang)

Yue Lu
Open for nearly 15 years, Yue Lu specialized in Hakka cuisine and plum-based dishes. Located on the mountainside in Fenglin with views over forests and rice fields, the scenery was captivating both day and night. Its signature “Plum Chicken” was a favorite among foodies and required advance reservations. Yue Lu ceased operations on January 8, 2017 (Year 106 in Taiwan calendar).

▲ 350 NT seafood N<。(图／黄士原摄)

West Lake Standing Sushi
Originally a super-popular spot in the fresh food section of Taipei’s West Lake Market, West Lake Standing Sushi specialized in nigiri sushi and seafood N<为主，最特别的是这里没有椅子，客人全都是站着吃，由于只要250元就可以吃到海鲜N<，很受年轻人欢迎。不过因为老板病逝，西湖小立吞也就歇业了！

Tainan Hong Taro Oyster Vermicelli
Tainan Hong Taro Oyster Vermicelli was a century-old local eatery operated by Hong Dongying, the third grandson of founder Hong Taro. However, after the successive passing of the third-generation owners, Hong Dongying and his wife, the fourth generation decided to close the shop due to personal career plans.

▲ Long queues for the NTU sisters’ chicken cutlet. (Photo / Provided)

Sisters’ Chicken Cutlet
A hidden gem on the National Taiwan University campus, the popular “Sisters’ Chicken Cutlet” closed in July 2016 due to the owner’s ill health. The news saddened many NTU students, and long lines formed before its closure.

Ruihua Restaurant
Ruihua Restaurant, a long-established Western dining spot in Taipei, faced closure when its head chef, Chef Zhang—who took over after the founder Trummer passed away—and the sous-chef both decided not to continue. The restaurant owner ultimately decided to shut down, with its final day of operation on November 30, 2015. Having been around for nearly 40 years and having previously closed for almost a year, many loyal customers lamented the news of its permanent closure.

A’shi Pork Chops
A’shi Pork Chops, a small but well-known establishment in Yonghe with a 40-year history, closed in June 2015. What started as a humble street stall grew into a seated roadside eatery. Though slightly more expensive than typical bento shops by about NT$10, many customers flocked there for its signature braised pork chop rice—especially single office workers who enjoyed the convenience and flavor of bringing it home for dinner. It was a bento shop well known among Yonghe residents. Although business was good, the reason for closure was not disclosed, though rumors suggested the owner was simply tired.