Yilan’s famous “Lin Bei Roast Good” has expanded to Kaohsiung with a strong Japanese izakaya vibe!

Text & Photos /Xiao Hu’s Dream Food Net

If you’re a skewer lover, you’ve probably heard of the legendary “Lin Bei Roast Good” in Yilan. This place is so popular that in just two or three years, it expanded from three locations in Yilan, Jiaoxi, and Luodong to Taipei’s Yanji Street—and now it’s opened in Kaohsiung. As a fan, I had to check it out in Kaohsiung, and I also heard they now offer my favorite “eel skewers.” From now on, I don’t have to worry about finding a place to hang out and enjoy drinks with friends when I’m in Kaohsiung (laughs).

Why isn’t this Kaohsiung branch called “Lin Bei Roast Good” but instead “Lin Sang”? It’s said to be for differentiation in cuisine and product offerings, but honestly, I don’t care whether it’s Lin Bei or Lin Zuzu… as long as the food is good (laughs).

Although the name is different, the Japanese-style decor is quite similar. In fact, I actually prefer the style of “Lin Sang.”

Especially the seats under the wooden window—despite the fact that Kaohsiung’s spring is already quite warm, I still want to sit under these charming Japanese wooden windows, sipping on a draft beer and enjoying some delicious skewers. Of course, it would be even better with a few close friends or a special someone (laughs).

In addition to the front Japanese-style wooden house, even the side features floor-to-ceiling wooden doors. It’s said that these doors can be opened when the weather is cooler!

The seating inside includes around three to four four- to six-person wooden tables on one side, and another three or so wooden tables on the other, accommodating roughly 30 to 40 people. The space between seats is relatively spacious for a Japanese izakaya.

I personally think sitting at the counter adds to the Japanese vibe, and drinking here feels smoother and more atmospheric. Isn’t it?!

*ETtoday EBC News reminds you: minors should not drink alcohol. Don’t drink and drive, and don’t drive after drinking!

The walls, just like at Lin Bei Roast Good, are adorned with Japanese flags and travel brochures, adding to the illusion of drinking in Japan XD.

On the menu, aside from the “Eel Limited Edition” series, it’s mostly similar to “Lin Bei Roast Good.” And there’s eel—<才250元，立马“叮咚叮咚”叫了一碗..得到的答案是卖光了...果然限量是残酷的(泣)。

The back features drinks: beer, sake, and non-alcoholic options, with quite a variety to choose from.

If it’s your first time trying this “Lin” series Japanese izakaya that’s gone viral from north to south and you’re not sure what to order, the recommended dishes on the table are all ones I’ve tried dozens of times and highly recommend—like golden pork lard fried rice (which sold out on the day—I mean, it’s not even been open long, how is the business already so good?), steamed clams with sake, cherry duck, and personally, I also highly recommend my favorite “bacon-wrapped prawns” (not listed on the menu…).

I couldn’t get my most-wanted eel—<后，怒把店里还有的鳗料理都叫上一篇，首先是现点现烤的酱烧鳗鱼串100元/一串。这串鳗串才上桌我就闻到一抹酱汁和碳火的香气十分迷人。入口是带着讨喜甜味的酱汁香，咬下后鳗鱼皮的微焦香和油甜，甚至是鳗鱼肉的软嫩度都十分理想，以100来论真是满意到不行。但，相较日本的鳗串来说个人觉得酱汁略略偏甜、偏重了一点，吃多了也许会腻口一些也说不定。

Crispy Fried Eel – 150 NTD. The portion is fairly generous. The outer crust tastes a bit like fried oysters, but the batter is slightly more moist, and it has a melt-in-your-mouth texture that’s actually really good. You don’t often find eel dishes like this even in Japan. Topped with a Taiwanese-style spicy garlic sauce, it’s also quite delicious. If I had to point out a flaw, it might have a slight earthy taste. But again, at this price, there’s really nothing to complain about.

Eel Egg Roll – 100 NTD. As far as Japanese-style egg rolls go, I personally prefer them softer or even a bit juicy, but here the egg roll is a bit drier, though it’s firmer in texture. The egg flavor and sweetness are both on point, and it’s the kind of egg roll that’s still tasty even when cooled. What surprised me was the rich eel flavor infused throughout the egg—even before tasting the eel itself.

These two small appetizer pickles are ones I don’t remember seeing at “Lin Bei Roast Good”…“Yuzu Daikon” – 60 NTD. The juicy, crisp pickled radish is very sweet, with a subtle hint of yuzu fragrance. It’s super refreshing.

Plum Pickled Bitter Melon is also 60 NTD. I love this bitter melon—the sourness of the plum comes first, followed by the bitterness and sweetness of the bitter melon, paired with a cool, tender, and crispy texture. It’s great as an appetizer or a drinking snack.

This Pineapple Pork Stir-Fried Water Shield – 120 NTDis almost a must-order dish whenever I visit the original Lin Bei location. The crunchy water shield is very filling and pairs perfectly with the slightly crispy and chewy pine bark pork.

Gunma Long-Type Crispy Potatoes – 80 NTD. This shape of French fries is common in Japan but not so much in Taiwan. They’re called crispy, but I personally found them a bit more on the flaky side—though maybe it’s because I ate them after they cooled down. Still, I’m quite satisfied with the sweetness and soft texture of the potatoes.

If I’m hungry after eating at Lin Bei Barbecue and want a filling meal, there’s a 99% chance I’ll order my all-time favorite stir-fried udon. However, this is essentially Lin Bei Barbecue’s signature stir-fried udon, and almost every shop and every chef makes it differently (laughs). It mainly varies in how long they reduce the sauce and the texture—how Q (chewy) and thick the udon is—but the flavor is generally similar, sweet and salty.

Stir-fried broccoli – 100 NTWhen I first saw this dish, I was actually a bit surprised, worried that the cheese might dry out the broccoli. But unexpectedly, not only did it not dry out, it also created an amazing melt-in-your-mouth texture. The vegetable juice released while chewing also helped cut through the slight greasiness from the melted cheese. It’s a delicious (cheesy) dish that doesn’t feel too guilty (since you’re basically eating veggies, laughs).

Wild mushroom chicken hot pot – 180 NTThe broth has a mushroom and chicken soup flavor that’s way better than I expected. At least for 180 NT, it feels like a great deal XD. There’s also quite a lot of chicken, which I absolutely love and highly recommend, especially for anyone who, like me, enjoys mushroom chicken soup.

Garlic salt wagyu beef – 180 NTIf you’ve been to Shirakawa-go in Japan or visited the highlands, you’ve probably had the famous dish “Hida beef cooked on magnolia leaves with miso.” This dish doesn’t use “miso,” but its appealing presentation is definitely not lacking. The portion of beef isn’t super large, but it’s incredibly rich and tender, melting in your mouth. A sprinkle of garlic salt makes it outrageously delicious. Beef lovers definitely shouldn’t miss this.

Speaking ofgrilled mackerel (light salt mackerel – 180 NT)I used to absolutely refuse to eat it. Mainly because this fish has a rather thick oil content and a strong flavor. If it’s not fresh or not handled well, the fishiness can be overwhelming. But at Lin Bei Barbecue, I usually order it and enjoy it a lot. The main reason is that the oil is grilled to be extremely fragrant, especially the oil under the skin—it’s insanely sweet and rich, and there’s not much fishy smell. Super delicious!!

Salt-grilled king prawns – 200 NT for 2 piecesThe shells are a bit burnt, but honestly, that charred aroma is really quite nice XD. The shrimp meat might not be super firm, but it’s plenty sweet.

Next up are the skewers that Lin Bei Barbecue is most proud of. First is my personal top recommendation: mentaiko chicken thigh – 120 NT for 2 skewers. The emulsified texture of the mentaiko pairs wonderfully with the mayo, softening its mild spiciness, and the taste is incredibly satisfying. The chicken thigh, which carries a bit of meat juice, is also quite sweet. Especially the way it melts together with the mentaiko in your mouth—it’s insanely delicious. I love it. The other option, cheese chicken thigh – 120 NT for 2 skewers, is relatively easier to get tired of, but the double attack of cheese and mayo is definitely a favorite for many!!

If you’re not into mentaiko chicken thighs with mayo, then these mentaiko chicken wings – 120 NT for 2 skewers—might be a good alternative. The mentaiko wrapped inside the crispy, oil-rich chicken wings has a moderate level of spice and is quite tasty—perfect for drinking.

Salt-grilled cherry duck – 120 NT for 2 skewersThis skewer is the signature of signatures at Lin Bei, and personally, I think it’s a must-order. After all, Lin Bei Barbecue originates from Yilan, the home of cherry duck. These two skewers, which have a relatively high oil content, taste especially sweet and fragrant. The slightly charred parts are even more charming. If you’re worried about it being too oily or rich, squeezing some Yilan-grown kumquats on top is also a great way to enjoy it.

Matsusaka pork – 100 NT for 2 skewersThe Matsusaka pork is crispy with a bit of chew and has a very satisfying level of sweetness after chewing. If I had to point out any downside, I’d say cutting it a bit thicker and bigger would make it even more enjoyable XD.

Sauce-grilled beef ribs – 100 NT for 2 skewersOne of the main reasons I’ve always liked Lin Bei Barbecue is its great value for money. I wouldn’t say the flavors are mind-blowingly amazing, but for the price, I really have nothing but praise. Take these two beef rib skewers, for example—they have a bit of chewiness for the first few bites, the sweetness is somewhat similar to the taste near the diaphragm, the flavor is a bit stronger but pairs perfectly with the sweet sauce on the outside.

Salt and scallion pork belly – 100 NT for 2 skewersThe tenderness and sweetness of the pork itself are pretty average, but when eaten together with the salted scallions, the flavor instantly becomes several times more delicious—especially for someone like me who loves scallions (laughs).

Finally, I have to give a huge recommendation to these two skewers of sauce-grilled pork rectum that I absolutely love—100 NT for 2 skewers. This sauce feels a bit different from the previous ones; it’s not as sweet. The skin of the pork rectum is grilled to a slight crisp, which is quite pleasing, and after that Q (chewy) texture for a few seconds comes a rich, sweet pork fat flavor—and it gets sweeter the more you eat. Insanely delicious. Huge recommendation and an absolute must-order!!

Lin Sang Skewers (Original Shop)
Address: No. 109, Lin Sen 1st Road, Xinxing District, Kaohsiung City
Phone: 07-282-7287
Business Hours: 17:30–02:00

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