Setting up shop in Hsinchu: These three popular eateries are opening branches in Hsinchu

Reported by Huang Shih-yuan / Taipei

Though many don’t have high expectations for Hsinchu cuisine, the city actually boasts a wide variety of delicious food. Recently, several restaurants have been expanding to Hsinchu, including hot pot chain Haidilao, New York breakfast icon Sarabeth’s, and CooKBEEF’s five-star steak rice bowls. Food lovers no longer need to travel all the way to Taipei.

▲ Sarabeth’s Hsinchu Big City SOGO store limited-edition pan-seared shrimp cake Benedict. (Photo / Sarabeth’s Taiwan)

Sarabeth’s
Sarabeth’s Taiwan’s third branch will open on July 9 at SOGO Hsinchu Big City, opening daily at 9 AM. Whether it’s morning, noon, or night, you can enjoy authentic New York cuisine here. During the grand opening period, brunch menus will be available all day. In addition to classic French toast, eggs Benedict, and pancakes, Sarabeth Levine, the founder, has specially selected two exclusive new dishes for the Hsinchu Big City SOGO branch: pan-seared shrimp cake Benedict and Sarabeth’s family-style banana pound cake.

The pan-seared shrimp cake Benedict features lobster essence blended into the hollandaise sauce, creating a rich, caramel-colored lobster sauce that perfectly coats a juicy medium-rare poached egg, garnished with a touch of gold leaf. The middle layer includes a shrimp cake with a slightly Chinese flavor, coated on both sides with white sesame seeds and seasoned with a hint of pepper, using egg mixed with fresh shrimp instead of fish paste. The bottom layer is a soft yet chewy English muffin. It comes with a refreshing coleslaw side dish.

Location: 2nd Floor, 239 Zhongzheng Rd., Hsinchu City (SOGO Hsinchu Big City)
Business hours: Weekdays and holidays / 09:00–21:30, day before holiday / 09:00–22:00 (last order at 21:00)


▲ CooKBEEF’s sous-vide beef steak. (Photo / Huang Shih-yuan)

CooKBEEF!
CooKBEEF!, under the Din Tai Fung Group, combines Western classic steaks with Eastern staple rice. Following the opening of its second branch on June 15, the third branch will launch in July, located in Hsinchu. CooKBEEF emphasizes crafting five-star steak rice bowls at affordable prices, with five main dishes priced between NT$220 and NT$320. The menu includes beef, pork, and duck options: CooK Sous-vide Beef Steak, Jazz Rose Steak, Wild Short Rib, Rockin’ Cherry Duck, and BBQ Tatu Pork. The star dish is the CooK Sous-vide Beef Steak—medium-rare pink steak cooked via sous-vide, sliced into 1 cm-thick pieces, neatly arranged over Taiwanese Zhumu rice, and served with a half-boiled egg to satisfy any meat lover’s craving.

Hsinchu Big City Branch: 4th Floor, 229 Zhongzheng Rd., East District, Hsinchu City (grand opening in early July)


▲ Haidilao Hot Pot. (Photo / Huang Shih-yuan)

Haidilao Hot Pot
Known for its top-tier service, Haidilao Hot Pot currently has two branches in Taiwan—one in Taipei and another in Banqiao. The fourth branch in Hsinchu is set to open at the end of August. Haidilao’s biggest draw is its “over-the-top service,” which includes constant check-ins, offers for tea, massages, manicures, and even babysitting. Another must-try is the dramatic noodle performance: a young chef twirls noodles to music, stretching them out before cooking them in your pot.

Hsinchu Fourth Branch
Address: 4th Floor, New Hsinchu Big City Department Store, 323 Xida Rd., Hsinchu City (currently under renovation, expected to open by the end of August 2017)