Foodies, this one’s for you: A super lazy guide to 50 newly opened restaurants in 2017

Reported by Huang Shiyuan / Taipei

With 2017 coming to an end in just a few days, it’s only natural to look back at the new restaurants that opened this year. ETtoday News Cloud has compiled a super lazy guide featuring 50 newly opened eateries. The biggest buzz? Ichiran Ramen, which debuted in June—half a year later, diners still have to wait over 30 minutes during peak hours. Xiang Ji Cheng’s reopening also sparked a wave of enthusiasm, as its new location offers more seating so everyone can sit down and enjoy their meal. So, how many of these 50 restaurants have you tried?

▲Next-generation diaphragm meat. (Photo / Marumichi Marumichi Yakitori)

Marumichi Marumichi Yakitori
Meat lovers, rejoice once again—Japan’s renowned yakitori chain, Marumichi Marumichi Yakitori, has landed in Taiwan. Its Taipei branch officially opened on December 17th in the city’s East District. In addition to standard beef cuts, Marumichi focuses on offal not commonly found in Taiwan, such as beef heart, liver, and intestines. Among them is the highly sought-after diaphragm meat, here prepared as “tub-marinated” diaphragm—tender, juicy, and so good you won’t want to eat it anywhere else.

Address: No. 5, Lane 6, Alley 170, Section 4, Zhongxiao East Road, Da’an District, Taipei City
Phone: 02-2711-3086

▲Custard apple pie with crispy pastry crust filled with diced apples and custard sauce. (Photo / Huang Shiyuan)

RAPL Pompous Fruity
Following the success of BAKE CHEESE TART and ZAKUZAKU’s stick puffs, BAKE Inc. has introduced yet another Japanese import—RAPL Pompous Fruity, a freshly baked custard apple pie shop. This dessert features a crispy pastry shell filled with diced apples and creamy custard sauce, offering the crunch of the crust, sweetness of the apple, and the rich creaminess of custard. It achieved monthly sales of 250,000 units in Japan. RAPL Pompous Fruity stands out for its 144-layer flaky crust, carefully selected leaf-on Aomori apples, fresh milk custard filling, and locally sourced ingredients.

Address: 1F, A8 Pavilion, Shin Kong Mitsukoshi Xinyi New Life, Taipei


▲The crabs at Pengpai Buffet are extremely popular. (Photo / Huang Shiyuan)

Pengpai Buffet
Another buffet spot has joined the ranks in Banqiao, New Taipei City. “Pengpai Buffet,” the buffet restaurant under Caesar Park Hotels, officially opened on December 16th. However, the restaurant began soft operations in October and quickly gained popularity among nearby office workers and residents. Among its six food zones, the fresh seasonal seafood section and live-cooked claypot dishes and teppanyaki stations are the hottest, often filled with plates piled high with crab and shrimp.

Address: 2F, No. 8, Section 2, Minsheng Boulevard, Banqiao District, New Taipei City
Reservation hotline: 02-8964-3983

▲Miss Pink duo set meal. (Photo / Huang Shiyuan)

Lexuan Urban Wagyu Bar
At the end of 2016, the Lexuan Wagyu specialty store expanded from Taichung into Taipei’s upscale yakitori market. After opening its Ren’ai branch, 2017 saw the launch of the fashion-forward “Lexuan Urban Wagyu Bar,” targeting a younger crowd in Taipei’s East District dining hotspot. Soft-launch operations began on December 8th, with the official opening on December 15th, serving Japanese A4 and Australian 9+ wagyu beef.

The menu focuses on set meals, with the restaurant highlighting the Miss Pink duo set (NT$4800 + 10%) and Mr. Puzzle duo set (NT$2980 + 10%). The Miss Pink set includes appetizers, thick-cut beef tongue, sword heart shoulder steak, wagyu rump cap, moon-view sushi, boneless breast meat grilled on magnolia leaves, wild prawns, tub-marinated meats (diaphragm, angel shrimp), Koshihikari rice, 9+ wagyu fried rice, and dessert.

Address: No. 70, Lane 187, Section 1, Dunhua South Road, Taipei City
Phone: 02-8773-1177

▲Jumbo Seafood brings its signature live crab dishes to Taiwan. (Photo / Huang Shiyuan)

Jumbo Seafood
Singapore Tourism Board’s top-ranked seafood restaurant, Jumbo Seafood, has made its way to Taiwan. The Taiwanese flagship store officially opened on December 16th on the 3rd floor of Shin Kong Mitsukoshi Xinyi A8 Pavilion. In addition to its iconic chili and pepper crabs, Jumbo Seafood offers seven other crab flavors, plus ten of Singapore’s most famous dishes—so you can enjoy authentic flavors without leaving Taiwan.

Address: 3F, A8 Pavilion, Shin Kong Mitsukoshi Xinyi New Life, Taipei (3F, No. 12, Songgao Road, Xinyi District, Taipei City)
Phone: (02)2720-7333

▲Ba Yan buffet serves local night market snacks. (Photo / Taipei Regent Taipei)

Baiyan All-You-Can-Eat Buffet
Taipei’s Wanhua District welcomes a new landmark with the official opening of Caesar Metro Taipei, operated by the Caesar Hotel Group, on November 24. The hotel's Baiyan Buffet has launched a selection of authentic Taiwanese night market snacks starting today, featuring a specially designed “made-to-order” section offering local specialties such as Shenkeng stinky tofu, Gangshan mutton hot pot, Fucheng rice cake, black pepper steak on iron plate, Yilan satay squid soup, and crab roe monkfish tofu.

Address: No. 167, Banciao Boulevard, Wanhua District, Taipei City
Phone: 02-2306-6777

▲ Hanmu Hotel’s MU TABLE All-You-Can-Eat Buffet brings together signature dishes from restaurants under the Hansha Group. The photo above shows the hot dishes section. (Photo by Huang Shiyuan)

MU TABLE All-You-Can-Eat Buffet
Restaurants under the Hansha Group have long enjoyed an excellent reputation in the market, and their entry into Yilan is no exception—MU TABLE Buffet showcases the group’s most popular dishes, such as the famous Hometown Chicken Rice from Le Méridien Hotel, beef noodles from Sheraton Hotel, shredded green papaya salad and green curry beef from SUKHOTHAI Thai Restaurant, and extra-thick fried prawn rolls. The buffet also incorporates local Yilan elements, such as the well-known Xilu meat dish, as well as using freshly caught seafood from nearby fishing ports to create original seafood offerings.

Address: No. 1, Health Road, Jiaoxi Township, Yilan County
Phone: 03-905-8000

▲ In Japan, it is said that tempura is actually a “steamed dish,” where the high heat inside the batter “steams” the ingredients. (Photo provided by Sanli Enterprise)

Kichi Tempura
While many think of tempura as just deep-fried food, in Japan, there’s a belief that it’s actually a “steamed dish”—the high-temperature circulation within the batter steams the ingredients, keeping vegetables and seafood sweet, juicy, and tender. The Japanese Humax Group has launched its new brand “Kichi Tempura,” and its first store in Taiwan officially opened on November 3.

Address: 11F, No. 45, Section 4, Zhongxiao East Road, Taipei City (Far Eastern SOGO Taipei Zhongxiao)
Phone: (02) 2731-2518

▲ 328 Katong Laksa (Photo provided by Breeze Group)

328 Katong Laksa
328 Katong Laksa is hugely popular in Singapore, often recommended by flight attendants and celebrities as an affordable must-try dish. With a long-standing reputation, it remains a favorite among Singaporean foodies. The secret laksa broth, masterfully crafted by owner Nancy, is known for its smooth texture, simmered with seafood, coconut milk, and chili. The rich coconut milk balances the spiciness, creating a fragrant yet not overly fiery soup that’s incredibly smooth.

Address: No. 3, Beiping West Road, Taipei Main Station, Zhongzheng District, Taipei City

▲ Delicious hand-pulled chicken is back on the menu. (Photo by Huang Shiyuan)

Xiangji City
Taiwan’s classic hand-pulled chicken brand, Xiangji City, is making a comeback. Its flagship store in Xinzhuang, New Taipei City, began trial operations on October 24. Covering 85 ping (approximately 2800 sq ft), the flagship store can accommodate up to 150 people. In addition to the classic hand-pulled chicken, the new Xinzhuang flagship also offers five new menu items, including soy sauce chicken leg rice and curry fried chicken rice, perfect for solo diners. Additionally, the price of the classic hand-pulled chicken has been reduced from NT$499 to NT$469.

Address: No. 252, Long’an Road, Xinzhuang District, New Taipei City

▲ Laowang Pepper Pork Tripe Chicken. (Photo from Laowang Hot Pot official website)

Laowang
The mainland-based hot pot chain “Laowang,” which already has 50 outlets, has arrived in Taiwan. Its first Taiwanese branch is located on the 9th floor of Taipei ATT 4 FUN, sharing the mall with fellow mainland hot pot brands Hai Di Lao and Huang Ji Huang Sanzhi Men, setting up a friendly competition. Laowang started trial operations on October 21.

Address: 9F, ATT 4 FUN (No. 12, Songshou Road, Xinyi District, Taipei City, 110)
Phone: (02) 7737-0773

▲ Xiangniu Erguan opens a branch in Banqiao. (Photo by Huang Shiyuan)

Xiangniu Erguan Banqiao Branch
Xiangniu Erguan Banqiao serves only daily fresh Taiwan yellow cattle directly delivered from Tainan, with each cow having an ID number and full traceability. In addition to hot pot, the restaurant also offers braised dishes, stir-fries, grilled items, and beef noodles. The hot pot broth is based on slow-simmered ox bone stock for over 12 hours, then further infused with fresh fruits and vegetables for another 3 hours—completely free of artificial seasonings. In addition to à la carte options, the restaurant also offers set meals for two.

Address: No. 8, Minquan Road, Banqiao District, New Taipei City
Phone: 02-2956-1888


▲Nara assorted platter. (Photo / Provided by Kintan Dining)

NARA Thai Cuisine
NARA Thai Cuisine, which has been voted the best Thai restaurant by readers of Thailand Tatler magazine for 10 consecutive years since 2007 and is also known as the best Thai restaurant in Thailand, will open its first branch in Taiwan on November 3. Online reservations are now open. NARA Thai Cuisine is located on the 11th floor of the Zhongxiao Building of Far Eastern SOGO Department Store Taipei. For those who have tasted it in Thailand and miss it dearly, you can now enjoy it without leaving Taiwan.

Address: 11F, Zhongxiao Building, Far Eastern SOGO Department Store Taipei

▲Taiwan’s first conveyor belt sushi combined with dim sum restaurant “Yen Xiang Ting” opened on September 29. (Photo / Provided by Qinmei Eslite Greenery Boulevard)

Yen Xiang Ting
Taiwan’s first conveyor belt sushi combined with dim sum restaurant “Yen Xiang Ting” opened on September 29. Yen Xiang Ting is a new restaurant launched in collaboration by celebrity chefs Chen Weiqiang and Lin Jianting. A 32-meter conveyor belt brings various types of dim sum directly to customers. Even solo diners can easily enjoy dim sum. The dim sum on the conveyor belt comes in four price tiers: NT$68, NT$78, NT$88, and NT$120. In addition, you can also order from the menu, which includes dim sum, roast meats, and rice/noodle dishes, priced between NT$60 and NT$230.

Address: No. 68, Gōngyì Road, West District, Taichung City (B1F, Qinmei Eslite Greenery Boulevard)

▲Japan’s popular French crêpe specialty store gelato pique crêperie officially launched in Taiwan on September 30. The photo shows the chestnut flavor. (Photo / Taken by Huang Shiyuan)

gelato pique cteperie
Japan’s popular French crêpe specialty store gelato pique crêperie officially launched in Taiwan on September 30, setting up shop on the second floor of Shin Kong Mitsukoshi XinYi A8. The crêpes at gelato pique crêperie are made with French wheat flour and premium ECHIRE butter, combining local ingredients to offer five sweet flavors including classic French, sweet potato mash, matcha red bean, banana chocolate, and chestnut, as well as two savory options: spinach smoked beef and French honey mustard chicken. Prices range between NT$90 and NT$160, about 20% lower than in Japan.

Address: 2F, Shin Kong Mitsukoshi A8, No. 12, Songgao Road, Xinyi District, Taipei City

▲Blue Diamond Crab Spaghetti. (Photo / Taken by Huang Shiyuan)

SPIGA PASTA Ishihide
Ever tried Japanese-style “raw pasta”? Tokyo’s Italian pasta restaurant SPIGA PASTA Ishihide uses noodles imported from Italy’s “New Dallmayr” manufacturer, delivering the authentic texture of Italian pasta. The pasta at SPIGA PASTA has a soft and chewy mouthfeel. Beyond the unique texture, SPIGA PASTA is also the first to introduce soup-based pasta, completely redefining everyone's impression. SPIGA PASTA began trial sales on September 27 and officially opened on October 15.

Address: No. 96, Longjiang Road, Zhongshan District, Taipei City (next to China Airlines)
Phone: (02) 2501-6155

▲Signature women’s ramen. NT$320. (Photo / Taken by Huang Shiyuan)

Ryukyu New Noodles – Tsuudou
The world’s first gender-specific ramen, “Ryukyu New Noodles – Tsuudou,” a must-try when visiting Okinawa, is opening its permanent Taiwan branch on September 9. The store’s signature men’s ramen (otoko ramen) and women’s ramen (onna ramen) are now available in Taiwan. In addition to ramen, the shop also offers some authentic Okinawan home-style dishes, such as purple sweet potato tempura, fried mozuku seaweed, golden mozuku legs (both fried and simmered versions), grilled marinated pork belly, and Okinawan stir-fried mixed vegetables.

Location: B2, Taipei Uni-President Department Store

▲Lobster pho using a whole Boston lobster. (Photo / Taken by Huang Shiyuan)

District One Tpe
The most famous “lobster pho” from Las Vegas, USA, is coming to Taiwan. Vietnamese pho is not hard to find in Taiwan, but a super-impressive lobster pho featuring a whole Boston lobster, with the lobster head placed right on top of the broth—this bold version can probably only be found at District One TPE. District One TPE will officially open on September 2.

Lobster pho is the signature dish of District One and helped the brand gain fame in Las Vegas, USA. Now they are opening a branch in Taiwan. Like their U.S. locations, the Taiwan branch of District One only uses live Boston lobsters, supplied daily to the restaurant. Thanks to the use of live lobsters, just a quick blanch in hot water is enough to enjoy the tender, delicious lobster meat.

Address: No. 21, Lane 7, Alley 181, Section 4, Zhongxiao East Road, Da’an District, Taipei City
Phone: 02-2731-0506

▲Hong Kong New Life Dim Sum offers a variety of all-you-can-eat Hong Kong-style dishes. (Photo / From Hong Kong New Life Dim Sum Facebook)

Hong Kong New Life Dim Sum
A new restaurant has opened in Hsinchu. Located in Zhubei City, Hong Kong New Life Dim Sum officially opens this October. The restaurant serves a wide variety of Hong Kong-style dishes, including roast duck, roast suckling pig, and nearly 70 other dishes available for unlimited all-you-can-eat dining, along with tea beverages. Prices start from NT$528 to NT$628.

Address: No. 10, Shengli 1st Road, Zhubei City
Phone: 03-550-7568

▲Unagi donburi with kabayaki glaze. (Photo / Huang Shiyuan)

Oedocho Unagiya
Following the success of Oedocho Teppanyaki Seafood Restaurant, “Dayu Catering” has launched a new brand — “Oedocho Unagiya”. This is a new-style unagi (eel) rice specialty shop that combines an izakaya (Japanese pub) and eel cuisine. Unlike typical unagi restaurants, “Dayu Catering” has recreated an Edo-period streetscape inside the 9-meter-high, 200-tsubo (approx. 660 square meters) restaurant space, which can accommodate 200 guests. It is touted as Taiwan’s largest unagi rice specialty restaurant and officially opened on September 30.

Oedocho Unagiya
Address: 2F, No. 1, Wenhua South 2nd Rd., Nantun District, Taichung City (at the intersection of Wenhua South 2nd Rd. and Dadun South Rd.)
Seats: 150
Phone: (04) 2473-7711

▲An abandoned iron factory in Yonghe has been reborn as the Korean BBQ restaurant 51bbq. (Photo / Reporter Huang Shiyuan)

51bbq Korean BBQ
Near Yonghe Night Market in Yonghe District, New Taipei City, there is a 60-year-old, abandoned iron factory that has sat unused for over a decade. Starting August 4, it has made its comeback under a new identity — 51bbq Korean BBQ Restaurant, welcoming locals in the Yonghe area. Like many old-building restaurants, 51bbq Korean BBQ preserves the time-worn features of the factory, such as its old windows, tool tables, and beams, allowing diners to experience the atmosphere of the former ironworks.

Address: No. 51, Section 1, Yonghe Rd., Yonghe District, New Taipei City
Phone: 02-8660-5151

▲Kaohsiung LV Forest Buffet. (Photo / Provided by Kaohsiung LV Forest Buffet)

Kaohsiung LV Forest Buffet
Kaohsiung has a new all-you-can-eat buffet restaurant！The LV Forest Buffet, opened by the team behind THE Lin Palace Garden in Taichung, officially began operations on July 21. Covering 2,000 tsubo (approx. 6,600 square meters) with 800 seats, it surpasses Pin Huayuan, which has over 1,000 tsubo and 600 seats, making it Taiwan’s largest buffet restaurant. It offers lunch and dinner buffets featuring more than 500 dishes, including Western, Japanese, Hong Kong-style, and Thai cuisines.

Address: 1F, Silks Club Kaohsiung, No. 99, Bo’ai 2nd Rd., Gushan District, Kaohsiung City
Phone: 07-555-1111

▲Soy sauce ramen. (Photo / Huang Shiyuan)

MORIZUMI Ramen by Morizumi Koji
Morizumi Koji, a Japanese ramen chef who once ran MIST Creative Noodle Workshop in Hong Kong and earned one Michelin star in both 2011 and 2012, later faced bankruptcy but made a comeback. He opened three MORIZUMI Ramen locations in Japan and is now expanding to Taiwan, with the first branch located at Taipei SOGO Zhongxiao Branch.

Address: B1, No. 45, Section 4, Zhongxiao East Rd., Da’an District, Taipei City

▲Exterior of the tea house. (Photo / Provided by Good Food International)

Rilakkuma Tea House
Attention all Rilakkuma fans！Following the Rilakkuma Café themed coffee shops in Taipei and Taichung, Taiwan’s first Rilakkuma Tea House is set to open on July 21. The entire tea house is designed with a strong Japanese aesthetic, and there’s even a cute Rilakkuma plush sitting on the engawa (veranda) at the entrance. The menu features Japanese-style dishes that match the tea house theme, including three-color hanami dango (cherry blossom viewing dumplings), ochazuke (tea poured over rice), rice bowl sets, and matcha. There’s also an adorable Rilakkuma-shaped mizu shingen mochi.

Address: No. 23, Lane 20, Section 2, Zhongshan N. Rd., Zhongshan District, Taipei City
Phone: 02-2543-3030

▲UKAI TEI’s signature dish: steamed abalone with rock salt and truffle. (Photo / Provided by Silks Club)

UKAI TEI KAOHSIUNG Restaurant
Silks Club’s UKAI TEI KAOHSIUNG Restaurant is a branch of the Japanese Michelin one-star teppanyaki restaurant UKAI TEI. It includes a UKAI Western Grill on the third floor and a UKAI Teppanyaki on the second floor. UKAI TEI KAOHSIUNG uses premium ingredients such as U.S. prime beef, Australian wagyu, Australian Tajima wagyu, and Australian chocolate wagyu. It also incorporates luxurious seafood like spiny lobster, snow crab, and tonguefish. Additionally, the restaurant will offer the classic Japanese dish “steamed live abalone with rock salt.”

Address: No. 199, Zhongshan 2nd Road, Kaohsiung City
Phone: 07-973-0189

▲ Cafe Show the Color instantly became a new hot spot for IG influencers the moment it opened. (Photo / netizenaijoanna2010, please do not reproduce without permission to avoid copyright infringement)

Cafe Show the Color
Taiwan has been swept up in the Korean wave lately, and more cafes are being designed with Korean aesthetics as their benchmark. “Cafe Show the Color,” which just opened in Banqiao in October, immediately became a favorite among IG influencers the moment it debuted. With poolside seating, neon light strips, marble elements... the beautifully decorated space gives the illusion of being instantly transported to Seoul. For food, the cafe mainly serves sweet and savory brunches, burgers, grilled toast, and omelette wraps, with prices ranging from NT$60 to NT$250.

Address: No. 12, Lane 3, Alley 270, Section 1, Wenhua Road, Banqiao District, New Taipei City

▲ Banqiao Nest a little nest, featuring super cute watermelon shaved ice. (Photo /Tiger Grandma Who Doesn't Eat Kids, please do not take photos without permission)

Nest a little nest
Another cute dessert shop has opened in Banqiao ! Located near Fuzhong MRT Station, Nest a little nest recently opened its doors, and its small space is adorned with adorable decor. Floating cloud ornaments and green plants abound, making it highly photogenic.

Address: 1F, No. 24, Section 1, Zhongshan Road, Banqiao District, New Taipei City
Phone: 0966 660 018

▲ The Moomin-themed restaurant welcomes guests with Moomins at the entrance. (Photo / taken by Huang Shiyuan)

Moomin Theme Restaurant
The “Moomin Café,” a Moomin-themed restaurant beloved by girls in Japan, is finally opening its Taiwan branch on July 7. The entire café is designed with a Nordic theme, and a giant Moomin mascot greets guests at the entrance. Inside, there will also be large plush dolls of the 10 characters from Moomin Valley. During meal times, staff will take turns seating guests and attending to them. The most special dish is the signature Moomin House pancake, which comes with eight porcelain figurines on the plate — you can choose one to take home after your meal.

Address: 1F, Howard Plaza Hotel, No. 81, Section 1, Da’an Road, Da’an District, Taipei City
Phone: 02-8772-8771


▲ INPARADISE Xiangxiang, an upgraded version of Xiangshi Paradise, officially opened on June 20. (Photo / taken by Huang Shiyuan)

INPARADISE Xiangxiang
INPARADISE Xiangxiang, an upgraded version of Xiangshi Paradise, officially opened on June 20. Located on the 46th floor of Taipei 101’s Shin Kong Mitsukoshi, it has become the highest all-you-can-eat buffet in Taipei. The dining area is divided into eight zones, including the usual seafood and dessert sections, as well as clay pot soup, Japanese yakitori, and the French teppanyaki section, which is a staff favorite.

The eight dining zones are: “Feng Dahai,” offering fresh sashimi, sushi rolls, grilled nigiri, regular nigiri, hand rolls, and seafood; “Xun Qiao Wei,” providing Japanese and Western appetizers, chef’s salads, and greens; “He Peng Hu,” featuring clay pot soups; “Da Kuai Di,” with French teppanyaki, Western hot appetizers, and freshly sliced steak; “Jing Shan,” serving Hong Kong-style dim sum, Peking duck served five ways, and Asian wok dishes; “Zhi Qiu,” offering Japanese BBQ, steamed, and fried items; “Chang Yin Chuan,” which includes coffee, tea, soft drinks, juices, and cocktails; and finally, the dessert zone that many women can’t resist, featuring French pastries, ice cream, and fruits. The total number of dishes, including desserts, exceeds 190.

Address: 46F, No. 68, Section 5, Zhongxiao East Road, Xinyi District, Taipei City (Breeze Xinyi, Exit 3 of MRT Taipei City Hall Station)
Phone: 02-8780-9988

▲ The signature dish of Tan Yu — Chongqing tofu pudding grilled fish. (Photo / from Tan Yu’s Facebook)

Tan Yu
Tan Yu is a popular grilled fish restaurant from mainland China, and its first Taiwan branch opened in Taichung Gongyang Store (opened June 16). Tan Yu uses cooking techniques such as marinating, grilling, teppanyaki, and hot pot to create a variety of tender, spicy, and flavorful grilled fish dishes. There are over 10 types of grilled fish flavors, with 18 seasoning variations. The three standout features are spiciness, aroma, and freshness. The Chongqing tofu pudding grilled fish is Tan Yu’s ultimate signature dish, using spices such as wrinkled chili peppers, Sichuan pepper, mint, and houttuynia cordata root, resulting in a flavor that is fragrant, numbing, and spicy. Paired with a unique sauce, it delivers an authentic Sichuan-Chongqing taste. Other options include soy-sauce-flavored grilled fish and fresh green pepper-flavored grilled fish.

Address: No. 171, Section 2, Gongyang Road, Nantun District, Taichung City

▲ A new brand under the Royal Family Group, the Sichuan-style spicy hot pot “Ma Laoda.” (Photo / provided by the Royal Family Group)

Ma Lao Da
The new brand under the Wang Group, Sichuan-style spicy hot pot "Ma Lao Da," officially opened on May 29. The themed meal prices start at NT$128, with the most expensive option, the "Invincible Beef Trio Treasure," priced at NT$218, and the average per-person spend around NT$200. Ma Lao Da offers three types of broth: Da Hong Pao, Dry Spicy Aroma, and Rich Pork Bone. The Da Hong Pao broth is made using 20 kinds of Sichuan spices, including 7 to 8 different types of chili peppers, which are extracted using low-temperature techniques and then aged in an infused oil for 30 days, stir-fried and slow-cooked for two hours. The Dry Spicy Aroma dry-mixed flavor is suitable for those who prefer a stronger numbing kick, featuring a unique taste that combines numbing-spicy chili with sesame paste and spicy fermented tofu. For those who can't handle spicy food, there's also the Rich Pork Bone broth, which is carefully simmered with pork bones, chicken skeletons, and a variety of fruits and vegetables, offering a rich aroma with its black-and-white double-color sesame paste.

Address: No. 182, Section 1, Meicun Road, Taichung City
Phone: 04-2301-1969

▲ Ichiran Ramen staff serve ramen within 5 minutes after ordering. (Photo / Reporter Ji Xiangru)

Ichiran Ramen
Ichiran Ramen’s Taipei flagship store opened on June 15, operating 24 hours a day just like in Japan. The interior has a total of 60 seats, all featuring Ichiran’s unique “flavor concentration seating.” There is also a souvenir display area. The dining flow at the Taipei flagship store is slightly different from that in Japan — upon entering, customers are guided to their seats rather than purchasing tickets from a vending machine (which doesn’t exist in Taiwan). After being seated, diners can begin selecting their ramen preferences, such as flavor intensity, oiliness, amount of garlic paste, whether to include green onions, spice level, and noodle firmness. After pressing the service bell located in the upper right corner of the table, the staff will collect the order form. According to Ichiran Ramen’s standards, the ramen must be served within 5 minutes after the order form is collected. After finishing the meal, customers take the bill to the payment counter to settle the bill. Currently, only cash and credit cards are accepted, with mobile payments not yet available.

In terms of pricing, a bowl of natural pork bone broth ramen is sold for NT$288. For add-ons, extra noodles are NT$58 (half portion NT$48), extra rice is NT$58, extra char siu is NT$58, extra green onions are NT$38, extra black fungus is NT$38, half-boiled salted egg is NT$38, and for the釜 sauce pork bone char siu, adding garlic paste is NT$38. Additionally, a special set menu has been introduced for Taiwan, which includes a half-boiled salted egg, extra char siu (3 slices), and seaweed (2 sheets), priced at NT$134. If you order a bowl of ramen along with the Ichiran special set menu, the total price is NT$422.

Address: No. 97, Songren Road, Xinyi District, Taipei City

▲ The wildly popular LINE sticker-themed restaurant. (Strong point)