The Wagyu ribeye steak at Waffecido is tender, juicy, and rich in marbling — paired with a spicy dipping sauce, it’s simply perfect.

Text and photos byXiongmao Rudy

We were really happy to receive an invitation from Waffecido, giving Xiong and Mao the chance to dine here. Overall, Neihu is one of our main hangout areas, but Waffecido near Xihu Station was actually our first visit.

From the outside, the overall environment is bright and thoughtfully designed, featuring a simple black-and-white sign that adopts a low-key, high-quality aesthetic. Essentially, Waffecido has an unusual layout: besides the main entrance on the left leading to the first and second floors, there's also a larger dining area on the first floor to the right. As soon as you push open the door, you’re greeted by the ordering area. There are quite a few staff members, and they work pretty efficiently. Despite the limited space, they’ve managed to create a relaxing dining environment.

Walking up the stairs feels refined and comfortable — the afternoon sunlight pouring in is extremely cozy!! The second floor maintains a serene and unhurried vibe, offering a relaxing atmosphere for dining. There are more seats upstairs, so it doesn’t feel overly crowded (which is very important for a casual café or bistro). The salt and pepper shakers by the table give off the vibe of a high-end steakhouse. The sparkling drink served by the restaurant had a refreshing, fruity flavor that was perfect for hot summer days — it instantly cooled us down. Upon asking, we found out it was a blackcurrant iced tea (130 TWD, bottle).

Alright, let’s first take a look at Waffecido’s star dish — their various cuts of Angus beef steaks. If you’re someone who prefers generous portions, you can go for their top-grade sirloin, available in sizes ranging from 16 to 20 ounces. But if you care more about tenderness and quality, I’d recommend the grilled New York strip or grilled ribeye. And now, both the New York strip and ribeye are buy-one-get-one-free — honestly, such a great deal!! In the end, I chose the grilled Angus natural ribeye (899 TWD, buy one get one free).

There are plenty of pasta options. The bacon and egg yolk pasta would be my next choice, while I personally prefer the Angus beef and egg yolk pasta. The grilled Italian pasta also looks amazing — I’m really hungry!! Meanwhile, Mao picked the Nordic premium thick-slice salmon set meal (220 TWD), which also includes salad, grilled rustic bread, tomato salsa, and a poached egg. In terms of variety, this portion should be quite filling for a girl.

Pancake sandwich, hehe!! A fun mix of sweet and savory, this dish is also full of liveliness and creativity. Savory pie — that’s also a favorite of mine (unfortunately, I really shouldn’t eat any more these days...). For dessert, finally, Xiong and Mao also chose a strawberry chocolate crunch (280 TWD), and for drinks, after some deliberation, we decided on a pot of iced sunset fruit tea (180 TWD, pot). It’s tangy and sweet, easy to drink, and quite appetizing — it makes you want to eat even more.

Next, Xiong and Mao’s main dishes are about to arrive!! This is a dream dish for all salmon lovers — the Nordic premium thick-slice salmon set meal (220 TWD) that Mao ordered. It’s light and not greasy, with a generous portion. Although there’s only one slice of salmon, the thickness is truly impressive (strictly speaking, it’s one big piece...). In terms of texture, the salmon is firmer with less fat, and when eaten with the greens, it gives a simple sense of happiness. The bread looks a bit hard, but it’s actually chewy and has a hint of sweetness — no difficulty eating it at all.

Next up, the highlight of the day — the grilled Angus natural ribeye (899 TWD, buy one get one free). Isn’t it a great deal? Let’s first take a look at the side ingredients and sauces. This is the spicy butter for dipping the steak, with a strong BBQ flavor. The fries are hearty — not too hard, and delicious on their own. The truffle cream is the most eye-catching sauce, with a rich aroma. It’s not just great with fries but also pairs well with greens (I secretly used it on the steak too). The vinaigrette salad is here to balance nutrition a bit — remember to eat more greens to stay healthy!! (Old-man mode activated...)

Alright, let’s take another good look at this natural ribeye steak. Honestly, the moment you see it, you just want to devour the whole thing. Overall, it’s cooked medium-rare, with slightly pink flesh and grill marks — who could resist? In terms of texture, the ribeye naturally has more marbling, but being slightly seared enhances the taste without making it too greasy to eat. One cut reveals the doneness — basically, it’s very tender, yet not bleeding all over the plate, making the dining experience even better.

At this price point, 899 TWD with buy-one-get-one-free is really unbeatable — a very practical and reasonable price. With the first bite of the original flavor, I could feel the tenderness of the steak, and the slightly richer marbling doesn’t make it dry like wax (it’s relatively suitable for kids and elders). Paired with the spicy butter, it adds an American-style flavor twist.

Next is the vanilla ice cream — honestly, after the intense steak, having a little dessert is very welcome. But this matcha ice cream really amazed Xiong and Mao — simple yet rich matcha flavor, with a smooth texture that makes you want to order more.

Finally, there’s this strawberry chocolate crunch (280 TWD). To be honest, getting such a generous dessert portion is honestly a happiness-inducing (and very filling) experience.

The strawberries, though slightly tart, are still fresh and juicy. The cream is great — light and melts in your mouth without being bland (Xiong and Mao both hate cream that doesn’t melt and is overly sweet, which can be a total turnoff).

The strawberry jam and chocolate sauce — these four pieces also caught the curiosity of me and the neighboring table’s girl (Is this French toast? Or bread?). Without further ado, I drizzled on the strawberry sauce — the sight was just beautiful.

Honestly, writing articles and arranging photos late at night is clearly self-punishment, but adding chocolate sauce brings a sweet-and-sour aesthetic, which is one of life’s greatest joys (and a major diet disaster). Okay, the answer is revealed — this is actually a pancake!! But the outer layer is coated with milk candy syrup and egg batter, making the pancake taste as sweet and fragrant as French toast (while keeping its chewiness).

In terms of the restaurant’s overall style, Waffecido is a multifunctional and great eatery. If you just want coffee, you can come here. If you want coffee and dessert, that works too. And if you’re a bit hungry, you can also have a light meal or sandwich — which is especially important for women. But if a couple visits together, guys might feel there aren’t many main dishes. However, at Waffecido, guys don’t need to worry — the buy-one-get-one-free ribeye steak is right here waiting for everyone!!

Article author: Xiongmao RudyA couple passionate about food, occasionally going wild spending lots on eating, drinking, and playing, but generally adhering to the principle of “limited money, endless appetite.” They run a blog of the same name.《Xiongmao Eats the World》Updated simultaneously.

【Waffecido】
Address: No. 12, Lane 411, Section 1, Neihu Road
Phone: (02)87977965
Business hours: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM (last order at 9:30 PM, open every day)
Recommendation: The buy-one-get-one-free ribeye and sirloin deals are extremely worthwhile — generous portions at reasonable prices. The ribeye is tender and has a nice amount of marbling, pairing well with spicy sauces. Both desserts and light meals are quite good — definitely a great spot in the Neihu area!!