Slippery sunny-side-up eggs, three-centimeter-thick burger patties—anyone who sees them will start drooling.

Text and photos byGui Xiaosun

This area around Daren East-West Street, near Dadun 18th Street, is a block I’ve always loved for its living vibe. Towering trees about three stories high line both sides, and I’ve always enjoyed the atmosphere of this neighborhood. Even though it’s close to Taichung’s main north-south road, Wenxin Road, it still retains a quiet, green, and comfortable feel around every corner. It’s often hard to find parking here on weekends because the restaurants are lined up side by side—low-key but each with its own unique character and quality.

This weekend, we strolled around the area again and made a special trip to PING 18, a place that had gained some online fame. The chef has the distinction of being certified by Le Cordon Bleu France. It’s not just your typical French cuisine. I’d read articles by others before, and I’m a big fan of the fusion of Japanese and French cooking styles.
One key thing to note is the moderate pricing—it’s not as unaffordable as typical French cuisine, XD.

Of course, remember that if you come to this area, parking requires some skill. If possible, make a reservation at your favorite restaurant and arrive half an hour early to find a spot—that’s the safer bet. After all, weekends have really shown me that restaurant streets and alleys are truly a nightmare to find parking in.

When I saw PING 18’s menu, I liked it right away. Every dish has a photo, which is the best kind of menu—you can even compare and figure out what you’d actually enjoy.

It also introduces the chef and their background. Aside from graduating from Le Cordon Bleu Japan in Tokyo, they have professional certifications in both French cuisine and French patisserie. These credentials made me even more excited for the dishes to come.

As a seafood fanatic, my eyes lit up when I saw the Seafood Golden Fried Pasta on the table. Without much thought, I went with this for my main course, XD.

I also snapped a photo of their recent promotions for everyone to check out ^~^.

The atmosphere inside the shop is very cozy, perfect for couples or friends dining together. The generous and comfortable wooden tones make it a nice setting even for bringing elders along.

The entire shop is long and narrow. The further in you go, the more customer seating there is, while the entrance has a reception area where you’re greeted. They also display lots of delicate desserts there. If you want to try some wine, the staff can recommend options too.

Next to the main dining area, there’s a section that looks like outdoor seating but is actually enclosed with glass. If you have eight or ten friends for a gathering, I think you could easily reserve this near-outdoor spot. Plus, if you come during the day, the lighting is fantastic. It’s great for photos and chatting without disturbing other diners.

We sat in this outdoor area that day. The white tables and chairs, green plants, and sunlight streaming through the top made it feel so close to nature. Looking up, the large ceiling fans spun slowly above, and the air felt especially refreshing with the greenery and sunlight. It was so relaxing.

I often notice that many of the customers in these kinds of places are women. Maybe more and more women are learning to appreciate quality of life and understand that certain enjoyments aren’t just about food or fun, but about broadening their horizons and enriching their perspectives through these experiences. I truly think women who know how to live life are especially captivating.

The first thing that caught our eye that day was the Warm Salad on the menu. We ordered the Grilled Meat Salad, and it was the first dish to arrive. The moment I saw it, my taste buds were instantly awakened.

A colorful array of greens and fruits—yellow pumpkin, green peppers, baby corn, green broccoli, okra, pink-hearted guava, light green and purplish grapes, plus large leafy greens underneath. The highlight was the grilled meat on top, with its enticing aroma, sweet smokiness, and sesame garnish, all warm and blending into the salad.

Then came the Japanese Chicken Nuggets. The size of these nuggets was no joke—about a third of an adult’s fist. And when you cut into them, the inside was super tender, not dry at all. The coating was thinly applied, almost like Ji Guang Xiang Xiang Ji (Fragrant Chicken), but even thinner. You almost forget the coating is there, and it’s all about the juicy fried chicken flavor. I can imagine my lifelong friend would absolutely love this, XD.

While eating the Japanese fried chicken and the grilled meat salad, I truly felt that the Le Cordon Bleu chef’s take on appetizers was no joke. Beyond the vibrant colors that pleased the eye, surrounded by those delicate veggies and fruits, you couldn’t ignore the call of the grilled meat in the center. You could eat the meat alone or mix it with the various veggies and fruits—the tangy, sweet, crispy, and tender layers created a wonderful mix in your mouth.

After trying the original flavors, we added the sesame sauce. Sesame sauce is one of my usual go-tos for Japanese salads, so the combination gave off a whole new aromatic vibe. I absolutely love this Grilled Meat Salad—I’d even say it’d be a perfect breakfast on a weekend, XD.

Next up was my main course: Seafood Golden Fried Pasta.
When you order this dish, someone comes over to freshly grind bottarga (dried fish roe) into golden flakes right onto your plate. Aside from bottarga being a first for me, the pasta sauce is flavored with lobster broth, so it’s a taste that seafood and lobster lovers would enjoy, XD.

The thick, yellow sauce carries the sweetness of lobster, paired with chopped scallions. When you twirl the noodles and lift them, you’ll see the bottarga ground into golden powder mixed into the pasta, each grain releasing its captivating aroma as it melts in your mouth. The noodles have my preferred firm-but-not-too-hard texture, and I basically finished this plate in no time, XD.

Next was my friend’s order: Moonlight Burger Patty.
I’d seen photos online before and was immediately drawn to the plating of this Japanese-style burger patty—it felt so French yet distinctly Japanese. That sunny-side-up egg yolk looked like a huge sun, glistening and slippery, as if it might slide right off the plate. From the side, you could see the roughly three-centimeter-thick burger patty underneath, making your mouth water just looking at it. And then there were the two scoops of sides—white rice, pumpkin, sweet potato, baby corn, broccoli, and king oyster mushrooms—each one practically stealing the spotlight, catching my eye in every corner of the plate.

With one cut, the hot yolk was deliberately let to flow into the burger patty. Seeing that moment was practically a sin—it instantly awakened my brain and stomach. I just wanted to dig in.

I remember the burger patty was a mix of beef and pork, seasoned just right—not too salty or greasy. It really pairs well with rice, and even after finishing my pasta, I couldn’t help but share it with my friend, XD.

Looking at it from the side, the patty’s texture and seasoning are clearly visible. It has the perfect firmness and releases juicy meat juices as you bite. If this were served in a burger, it’d definitely be amazing too.

The two drinks we ordered were also great. I had something similar to a green lemon (like a green tea lemonade), and I totally forgot what my friend got. But the point is, it felt like they put in effort, and it was such a satisfying post-meal drink that you’d actually want to finish.

After the meal, we also ordered two extra desserts—one was a French fruit cake, and the other was a hidden menu item (you just can’t help but want to try something labeled “hidden”).

As soon as the French fruit cake was served, we were drawn to its color—it looked like it would be super soft and fluffy, like a sponge cake. But it wasn’t. Even though it was served as a cake, it was still slightly warm from baking, giving it a firmer texture than expected. You could taste the freshly baked aroma on the outside, and with the addition of oranges inside, it had a really refreshing zing.

Both desserts were plated and presented with great care—it felt like each one had the magic to instantly relax you. No exaggeration, no forced flair—just the sight of them on the plate was enough to draw you in. Placed on the clean white table, looking down at these two desserts from above, it felt like such a peaceful scene. It’s perfect for a group of girls to take an afternoon break here, just sitting, sipping coffee, and chatting.

For the hidden dessert, I remember the base was a banana cake, topped with chocolate ice cream and drizzled with chocolate sauce, giving the whole warmed-up cake a playful, joyful vibe—you couldn’t help but smile just looking at it.

As the chocolate slowly melted into the cake through its tiny holes, blending into the texture, that one bite with its mix of warmth and coolness was delicious, and the mouthfeel was super smooth, probably thanks to the melted ice cream mixing in. XD

It was a really relaxing holiday spent enjoying good food in my own city. Truth is, even though I live in Taichung, writing about its food and fun feels like only half the story. Maybe there’s just too much that’s become so routine I never bother to write about it, or maybe every moment I choose to share is simply because the mood strikes.

This spot is near Dàróng East-West Street, one of my favorite areas. I’m sharing 【PING 18】 with you—make sure to make a reservation before you go. ^~^

【PING 18】:

No. 118, Dadun 18th Street, West District, Taichung City / 04-2328 2203

Author of this article: [Enjoylife without boredom. By Xiao Sun]