You can enjoy "Japanese donabe rice" in Taichung — loaded with scallops, red shrimp, and squid, it's seafood galore

Text & Photos /Orange Dog Loves Sweets

I’ve always been powerless against ‘donabe-style’ cooking — maybe it’s the subconscious influence of how much I loved canned spaghetti as a kid. So recently, when I passed by Xitun Road and saw this place called 【Liangerjin Donabe Rice】, I decided to give it a try just from the photos of the dishes. Of course, besides the appealing presentation, I was also curious because I often saw the entire restaurant packed with people. Plus, its Google rating online is surprisingly high — a solid 4.8 out of 5 stars！

‘Donabe rice’ is a traditional type of Japanese pot-cooked rice. A well-known example is Shijukou Donabe Rice from Nara, Japan, which has been around for 50 years. It uses individual metal pots where uncooked rice is cooked over high heat with broth. The toppings usually feature various seasonal fresh ingredients — for example, in winter you’ll find oysters and crab meat. While donabe rice is sold in Taiwan too, compared to other Japanese dishes,

it doesn’t seem to be as widely available. But in Taichung, 【Liangerjin Donabe Rice】 on Xitun Road has the best reputation. It’s just a rather inconspicuous little shop on Xitun Road — although the signboard is big, it’s easy to miss due to the narrow road and heavy traffic. They have two service periods: lunch and evening. I arrived right at 5 PM when they opened, and there really wasn’t a single customer yet.

The number of seats inside was fewer than I expected, but the overall space is very comfortable. The tables are spaced widely apart, and there are lots of cute stuffed toys displayed on the counter, giving this Japanese-style eatery a cozy, homely feel.

The MENU does come with photos, but honestly, it’s better to ask the owner to know which photo corresponds to which dish. There are both set meals and à la carte options. The set meals include donabe rice along with black tea, miso soup, side dishes, and salad. Even the à la carte option comes with an extra bowl of miso soup, and sometimes there are daily specials written on the small blackboard by the counter.

These specials are mostly made with seasonal ingredients bought from the market that day — for instance, there was a special order-only Dazha crab donabe rice not long ago. The prices aren’t exactly cheap, but the taste and quality definitely match the cost, and I personally really enjoyed it.

However, since the rice is cooked to order, each pot takes about 13 to 15 minutes — so you really need to be patient. On my first visit that day, I simply ordered two mixed donabe rice dishes to try the flavors first.

【Donabe N<│干虾鱿鱼釜烧N<│199元（附汤）】

In terms of tableware, Liangerjin uses quite a few Japanese-style dishes, giving everything a nice premium feel. Even for à la carte orders, they serve it on a tray that includes the rice pot, soup, and utensils. As soon as you lift the lid, the aroma of the fresh seafood wafts out with the steam from the rice. Inside, there are scallops, large red shrimp, squid, and imitation crab sticks. The large red shrimp are quite big, but thoughtfully, they’ve already been shelled.

However, the seafood ingredients are probably cooked separately and then placed into the iron pot once the rice is done. The red shrimp were sweet and flavorful, though a bit softer in texture. The squid and scallops were also very fresh. The rice was glossy and plump, with a nice bounce to it. There were also mushrooms and sweet potatoes inside, and a drizzle of teriyaki sauce added a touch of sweetness that paired perfectly with the rice. I ended up finishing the whole pot before I knew it — it was much tastier than I expected. If you want that crispy rice crust (okoge) texture, remember to tell the staff in advance — they can customize it for you.

【Set Meal │ Four Liang Po Golden Donabe Rice │ 299 TWD (Includes soup, black tea, salad + side dish)】

This one includes smoked duck, chicken thigh, beef tenderloin, and Matsusaka pork — four types in total. It’s also a great combo to try if you’re visiting for the first time. Just like the others, the pot is filled with a generous, colorful array. The doneness and texture of the four meats are all carefully handled. Though they’re all meat, each — duck, chicken, pork, and beef — is cooked to its most delicious level of doneness, all together in one iron pot.

Among the four side dishes, I’d especially recommend the pickled radish slices — they’re homemade with a Japanese-style pickling sauce. The miso soup with fresh fish is also quite good, not skimpy on ingredients. Overall, the quality and quantity are both solid, and I’d definitely recommend the set meal too.

【À La Carte │ Korean Kimchi │ 40 TWD】

This one is also homemade by the shop. The sourness is mild, but the spiciness is pleasantly bold — though still within a tolerable range. It’s crunchy and appetizing, and goes really well with rice. I’d definitely recommend giving it a try.

After eating, I was still a bit unsatisfied and wanted to try other flavors. Although it’s a family-run restaurant, every detail is well thought out. The service is also quite warm and friendly. Since I came early and there weren’t many customers, I asked the owner a bit more. It turns out the boss used to work in Japanese cuisine for over ten years, so no wonder the ingredient handling style feels so familiar. Combined with the flavors of Japanese donabe rice, it’s completely seamless. It’s the kind of place you’ll enjoy after trying it, and even though the prices aren’t exactly low, it’s definitely worth it for the great taste. I’d highly recommend coming here for a meal with family or friends — just make sure to reserve a table for weekends.

[Liangerjin Donabe Rice Hot Pot │ Xitun District]

Address: No. 69-2, Section 2, Xitun Road, Taichung City
Phone: 04-23162398
Business Hours: 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM + 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Reminder: Donabe rice is made to order, so please allow 15 minutes for preparation

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