Savor authentic flavors at this Taipei Japanese izakaya, featuring signature katsudon chicken dried overnight

Text and photos /Wisely

Those who love Japanese izakaya cuisine know that in Taipei’s prime dining districts, besides Linsen North Road, the area around Taipei University is another hotspot. The featured ‘Heike Shokuten’ is one of them, located near Jincheng Street and Xingtian Temple. Its skewers and sushi are signature offerings, and in autumn and winter, delicious hot pot dishes are also available to try~ If you’re looking for a place to enjoy good food and drinks with friends, this is an excellent choice！

This restaurant itself is quite unique, with a nostalgic and rustic entrance adorned with lanterns and rows of tables and chairs, giving off a distinctly traditional vibe. The wooden sign indicates that the shop specializes in skewers, making you eager to step inside and try them.

The interior features a long, traditional space, with a blackboard on the wall listing daily specials. Most diners here come in groups of two or three, but there are also private rooms in the back available for reservation, offering different options for food enthusiasts.

The restaurant’s drink menu is also quite extensive. As a Japanese izakaya, Japanese sake is naturally the focus, with a variety of options including sake, beer, shochu, liqueurs, and whiskey, all at pretty reasonable prices！(Note: Don’t drink and drive, safety first)

● 《ETtoday News Cloud》 reminds you: Don’t drink and drive, don’t drive after drinking.

Wisely opted for a pot of refillable high mountain oolong tea since he was driving. The tea has a fragrant aroma, perfect for a refreshing drink.

The biggest highlight of Heike Shokuten is that all dishes respect tradition, even the sauces are handmade. The charcoal used for skewers is binchotan—high in heat retention and able to enhance the flavor of the food. They insist on slow-grilling without deep-frying. Even the cookware used for sukiyaki is authentic Nanbu ironware！

After chatting with the staff, they mentioned that the current menu has been slightly adjusted to offer a variety of items while retaining their signature flavors, allowing diners to fully enjoy the experience. Therefore, in terms of izakaya pricing, the average cost per person is around NT$500. Considering the quality of ingredients and dishes, it’s actually quite reasonable.

Chicken sashimi NT$220: Tender chicken served semi-raw is quite unique, offering a richer fatty taste compared to regular sashimi.

Katsudon chicken dried overnight NT$260: This is the shop’s signature dish, with a firm texture. Paired with homemade yuzu pepper, it’s an excellent drinking companion.

Herb-infused Matsusaka pork NT$240: Slightly crispy with rich Matsusaka pork, the fat melts after grilling, releasing juicy flavors enhanced by finely chopped onions. It’s a must-order delicacy.

Alaska pollock roe with mentaiko NT$280: Grilled with mentaiko for seasoning, the tender scallops have a slightly salty flavor. Their appearance is very tempting and makes my appetite soar！

Thick-cut beef tongue skewers NT$180: Large pieces of beef tongue paired with scallions and salt bring back memories of feasting in Sendai. The slightly elastic texture of the beef tongue is fantastic, and the sweet juices are absolutely divine～

Chicken thigh and scallion skewers NT$80: A favorite among regular skewer lovers. Though simple, it tests the chef’s skill. The more you chew, the more flavorful these skewers become, making them irresistible and hard to stop eating.

Chicken neck meat skewers NT$70: Unlike the elasticity of chicken thigh, chicken neck meat is naturally very chewy. It has a crispness similar to Matsusaka pork and slightly more fat than chicken thigh, making it a hidden gem for foodies.

Chicken meatballs NT$80: Every shop has its own unique chicken meatballs, and this one includes finely chopped scallions, chicken cartilage, and even shiso leaves, sprinkled with sansho pepper for fragrance. It’s one of my favorite skewer dishes.

Mushroom and shrimp balls NT$200: Hot shrimp balls topped with mushroom slices. Just looking at it shows the effort put into this dish. The crispy shrimp balls paired with the soft, fragrant mushrooms create an irresistible texture, making it a personally recommended delicacy.

Crab meat korokke NT$260: I'm a huge fan of korokke, so it's hard to believe you can find such delicious crab meat korokke in Taipei. The slightly thin fried crust is packed with rich filling, and the slightly tangy and sweet sauce is a must-try.

Seafood (price varies, Sumo Hot Pot) NT$150: Every winter, I crave a hearty hot pot to warm my stomach, and this time I tried a sumo hot pot with green vegetables, fish cake, mushrooms, fresh meat, white radish, and tofu pockets all simmered in white miso. The broth is fragrant and sweet, yet bursting with umami that leaves my full stomach feeling completely satisfied~

Sea urchin gunkan maki NT$380: The sea urchin gunkan maki, wrapped in seaweed with its concentrated oceanic umami, is the ideal preparation. The dish highlights the natural characteristics of the ingredients, and as you eat, the aromatic flavor spreads in your mouth, delivering an overwhelming sense of happiness.

Grilled salmon roll NT$360: Among the warm grilled sushi, my personal favorite is this grilled salmon roll, also known as the caterpillar sushi. It’s made by grilling a sushi roll with salmon on top. The shop stuffs it with tamagoyaki (Japanese omelet), cucumber, and mayonnaise, and the salmon slice is grilled with a slice of cheese added on top. The salmon roe adds a salty, sweet, and savory flavor.

I really enjoy the atmosphere here, and chatting with the staff is quite pleasant. While dining, you can hear a lot about their dedication to cooking, and listening to popular Japanese hits from over a decade ago really gives off a nostalgic vibe.

Heike Shokudo

Address: No. 256-1, Longjiang Road, Zhongshan District, Taipei City
Phone: 02 2509 8876
Hours: 18:00–00:00 (midnight), closed on Sundays
Website:FB

Wisely
A Pisces man who records food, travel, and life,
Who enjoys documenting the little moments in ordinary days.
Always yearning for the rich and colorful stories of many people,
So he earnestly shares his own life moments on his blog,
Ensuring the footprints he’s experienced and explored in life don’t just stay in his mind.
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