Pork cutlets, ramen, skewered fried foods, and teppanyaki — four exclusive Central Taiwan delicacies now at Zhongyou Department Store

Reported by Huang Shiyuan / Taipei

Food has become a key attraction for department stores to draw crowds. Many retailers are actively introducing diverse culinary offerings, from Breeze Center and Shin Kong Mitsukoshi to RT-Mart. Now, Zhongyou Department Store in Taichung is also bringing in four exclusive new food outlets this summer — Ichigen Ramen from Japan, Tonkatsu Yoshie, Japanese skewered tempura Tenburi, and popular Japanese teppanyaki chain Pepper Lunch.

▲ Ichigen Ramen’s original salt-flavored broth ramen. (Photo / Reporter Huang Shiyuan)

Ichigen Ramen
The Zhongyou Department Store branch in Taichung is the second location for Ichigen Ramen. Its broth is simmered using sweet shrimp heads, resulting in a rich, sweet flavor that differs greatly from typical pork bone broth. On average, 60 kilograms of shrimp heads (enough for around 600 bowls of ramen) are used per day. Beyond the broth, Ichigen Ramen offers two other distinctive features: shrimp powder and crispy noodles, which add layers of flavor and texture. The shrimp powder is made from sweet shrimp heads, first ground into powder using a food processor, then dry-roasted three times in a pan. The crispy noodles are made from tempura batter, which also includes shrimp broth and shrimp powder to enhance the ramen’s mouthfeel.

Address: B3, Building A, Zhongyou Department Store, No. 161, Section 3, Sanmin Rd., North District, Taichung City

▲ Yoshie’s classic Japanese pork cutlet rice bowl. (Photo / Reporter Huang Shiyuan)

Yoshie
Imported from Kobe, Japan, this pork cutlet has won Japan’s Gold Award three years in a row. “Kobe Katsu N/Yoshie” has also opened a branch in Taichung. The menu includes three types of tonkatsu rice bowls: Yoshie’s Special Pork Cutlet Rice, Classic Japanese Pork Cutlet Rice, and Korean Spicy Pork Cutlet Rice. Yoshie’s Special Pork Cutlet Rice features the original flavor since the shop's founding—the cutlet is fried and simmered in a secret broth, then topped with a half-boiled egg. Even without onions, it’s still flavorful. The Classic Japanese Pork Cutlet Rice is drizzled with a carefully selected sauce, served over crisp cabbage, and comes with a soft-boiled egg. The Korean Spicy Pork Cutlet is coated with a spicy Korean-style sauce developed by the head chef, Noriyuki Ino, and is served with mayonnaise—sweet with a touch of spice, blending Japanese and Korean flavors in a multi-layered taste experience.
Address: B3, Building A, Zhongyou Department Store, No. 161, Section 3, Sanmin Rd., North District, Taichung City

▲ Pepper Kitchen, where you can mix and stir-fry a variety of fresh ingredients yourself. (Photo / From Pepper Lunch official website)

Pepper Lunch
This is an affordable Japanese teppanyaki dish where you can mix and stir-fry various fresh ingredients yourself, then add the restaurant’s specially prepared secret sauce to create your own personalized flavor. The teppan used is patented in Japan and can heat up to 260°C in just 70 seconds, locking in the freshness and tenderness of the ingredients.

Address: B3, Building A, Zhongyou Department Store, No. 161, Section 3, Sanmin Rd., North District, Taichung City


▲ Japan’s original skewered tempura, Tenburi. (Photo / From Zhongyou Department Store Taichung Facebook page)

Japan’s Original Skewered Tempura Tenburi
This is from Yasaka N’s new brand, which promotes Osaka’s famous skewered deep-fried food.

Address: B3, Building A, Zhongyou Department Store, No. 161, Section 3, Sanmin Rd., North District, Taichung City