Kaohsiung meat lovers must visit this “Japanese-style fried steak” spot — cook it to your preferred doneness!

Reported and photographed by Chen Hanyin / Kaohsiung

Feeling like every night market in Kaohsiung is pretty much the same and not sure what to eat? Hidden in the alleys near Liouhe Night Market, “Yizhi Niu” is a Japanese-style fried steak specialty shop that opened last year and has drawn crowds since. It’s so popular on weekends that getting a seat is nearly impossible. Juicy, just-fried steaks paired with shredded cabbage make for a perfect match — a delicious treat that carnivores simply can’t miss.

▲ Kaohsiung’s super-popular Japanese-style fried steak set meal specialty shop.

The line of people queuing across from Kaohsiung’s famous drink shop “Lao Jiang Black Tea” are all eager meat lovers. “Yizhi Niu” only serves two types of meat: beef and tuna, using premium Angus beef that’s tender and flavorful. Whether grilled or fried, it’s absolutely delicious. The owner says all the beef served is aged and prepared fresh daily after opening the packaging, with strict quality control for both taste and hygiene. When it arrives at your table, it’s a beautiful medium-rare pink.

▲ Customers can use the small grill to decide the doneness of their steak themselves.

The most unique part? If you’re not into very rare meat, you can also use the small tabletop grill to cook it to your desired level. The meat sizzles on the grill, filling the air with mouthwatering aromas even before you take a bite. The wasabi served on the side is freshly ground from real horseradish. The owner recommends the traditional Japanese way of eating it — simply with soy sauce and wasabi — but you can also customize it with rose salt or shichimi spice to your liking. Every bite is incredibly satisfying.

▲ The small grill on the right was specially brought back from Japan by the owner.

Each set meal comes with miso soup, white rice, and shredded cabbage. Both the rice and cabbage can be refilled unlimitedly. To accommodate guests who may not eat beef, the shop’s other signature dish — fried tuna — is also absolutely divine. Despite the owner’s low-key approach, word of mouth has been unstoppable, and the place is always packed during meal times. To get a taste, you’ll need to make a reservation and queue up. Show up too late and you might have to wait a while for a table.

Address: No. 66, NanTai Road, Xinxing District, Kaohsiung City
Phone: 07-285-3221
Business hours: 11:30–14:30, 17:30–21:30 (last entry at 13:55 and 20:55) *Reservations are held for 5 minutes, and all guests must be present to be seated.