Japanese-style retro ramen shop in Tainan serves “non-alcoholic beer”!

Text & photos byAibi Girl

Fat Bi here reporting on a new shop Up again. Seems like there’ve been quite a few new spots lately, huh!?

The first time I came, I showed up to find it closed. Couldn’t even find their fan page or any related info online—ugh. Had to come back again. This time, I met up with a friend for lunch on a Saturday afternoon. You might be wondering why the cover photo looks like nighttime—well, haha. Aside from that first failed visit, I quickly came back a second time. Doesn’t the storefront have a bit of a Japanese feel? It’s got such a cool vibe (just my type).

Let’s take a look at the interior first. The tiny shop has a counter that doubles as a kitchen right at the entrance—the bright red really catches your eye. The interior has a slightly vintage Japanese vibe, reminiscent of some older ramen shops in Japan or scenes you’d see in manga or idol dramas. I personally love this style. There’s seating for about 7–8 people, so it’s often fully booked.

Currently, the ramen is vegetarian-friendly, with two flavor options to choose from. The first time I went, the ramen was on special for NT$100, but the second time I visited, the price had gone up to NT$130.

Soy Milk Broth Ramen – NT$130

You can add a bit of white sesame for extra aroma—it adds a nice fragrant touch. It was my first time trying vegetarian ramen, and the vegetarian meat actually wasn’t bad. The noodles are a bit thicker but have a nice Q texture. The broth has a soy milk fragrance and is quite smooth—it’s not too heavy on the flavor.

Miso Broth Ramen – NT$130

The miso flavor here is a bit different from what I expected. Compared to regular miso broth, this one is a bit clearer. In terms of taste, it still has that miso flavor, but it’s not overly salty. The noodles have a good Q bounce, and I thought the bamboo shoots were pretty tasty.

Non-Alcoholic Beer – NT$100

When I heard they had non-alcoholic beer, I had to try it right away. It has that malty beer aroma but without any alcohol. Chilled, it’s super refreshing. I don’t see this very often in Taiwan, so if you’re curious, give it a shot.

During the day, the storefront is great for taking stylish photos. Fat Bi took a whole series of them while waiting in line. Also, the shop doesn’t have a phone number yet, so if you want to eat here, you’ll have to head out early. As for the menu, I heard they’ll be adding new dishes soon.

Tarō Ramen
Address: No. 2, Xinmei St., West Central District, Tainan City (near Minsheng intersection, next to A-Tian Fruit Shop)
Hours: 12:00 PM until sold out

Beautiful “food” moments should always be documented.
Loves to eat. Loves to play. Aibi Girl.
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