Japanese Izakaya in Kaohsiung: Golden "Egg-Covered Ramen" Topped with Mayonnaise

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As night falls and the city is illuminated by lights, an izakaya on Jiouru 2nd Road is bustling with staff serving incoming guests. The number of such izakayas in Kaohsiung has been increasing year by year, which in some way reflects that, like Japanese office workers, we too need a place to unwind after a long day at work.

Zuo Izakaya has been in business for some time. The owner originally just had a simple love for good food, so he gathered some friends to start the shop together. Without a culinary background himself, he left the management entirely to the head chef. Later, due to differing management philosophies, the owner eventually took over the entire operation. Having never cooked before, he began learning, and through time and practice, his grilling skills have now become quite impressive.

Perhaps it’s the owner’s warm and straightforward way of treating customers that has made nearly every guest who dines here become his friend—and a regular.

The menu is extensive. In addition to grilled items, there are also mains, cold dishes, stir-fries, skewers, deep-fried dishes, and hot pot offerings. Most à la carte items range from NT$40 to NT$280.

Edamame seems to be a common side dish used to welcome guests at such small eateries. The edamame here is seasoned by the owner, typically with black pepper or salt and pepper. The texture is slightly firmer, with aromatic peppery notes and a salty kick. Compared to edamame sprinkled only with black pepper, this version tastes noticeably better.

Japanese-style yam (left), sesame yam (right)

Then the owner said he would treat us to Japanese-style yam and sesame yam. After trying both, I found the Japanese-style flavor—slightly sweet and tangy—pairs better with the yam, while the sesame version can feel a bit heavy.

Egg-Covered Noodles – NT$150

The egg envelops stir-fried noodles coated in sauce. The noodles are Japanese ramen, stir-fried to a savory and delicious perfection. Paired with the mayo-drizzled egg crepe, this combination turns out to be surprisingly tasty.

Japanese-style Semi-Raw Tuna – NT$280

The tuna is seared on the outside using a torch, leaving the inside raw like sashimi. Those who hesitate to eat raw fish might want to try this semi-raw tuna. I noticed the onions underneath are quite unique—translucent in appearance and not at all pungent. Thanks to the Japanese-style sauce, they offer a refreshing and crisp taste. It’s recommended to eat them together with the tuna.

Mentaiko Cheese Baked Egg – NT$280

This dish will surely delight cheese lovers. The baked egg is topped with mentaiko (spicy cod roe) and then covered with a thick layer of cheese for grilling. When lifted, the aroma of cheese wafts through the air. The cheese is drizzled with mayonnaise, resulting in a sweet-and-salty flavor.

Mackerel Amazake Stew – NT$160

Amazake stew is a common cooking method in Japan, but making it delicious is no easy feat. The shop’s specially prepared sauce is a big hit with my husband. The sauce isn’t overly salty, and the mackerel is well-seasoned. It really makes me crave a bowl of plain rice right now.

Chicken Skewers – NT$50 each

The shop uses Japanese chicken thigh meat, not breast, resulting in tender, juicy meat with crispy skin.

Chicken Heart Skewers – NT$40 each

Since chicken hearts aren’t a common part of my diet, I didn’t find the grilled version particularly memorable.

Chicken Skin Skewers – NT$40 each

The moment you bite into them, they make a satisfying crunch. The owner’s grilling skills are excellent—no need for overly complicated seasoning to enjoy the deliciousness.

Salt-Grilled Matsusaka Pork – NT$220

The yellow sauce is likely a seasoned honey mustard, which pairs uniquely well with the grilled Matsusaka pork.

Miso Soup – NT$60

A hearty miso soup loaded with generous ingredients—plenty of fish pieces and tofu. It’s likely made with white miso, resulting in a lighter saltiness that we really enjoyed.

Bonito Flavored Soup – NT$60

Compared to miso soup, bonito broth has a lighter flavor and also contains tofu and fish pieces.

Japanese-style Fried Tofu | 00元

You can imagine this is a Japanese-style fried item made from toast — how would we describe it? It’s quite crunchy, and when you take a bite, it’s crispy on the outside and soft inside. The mayonnaise adds richness, and the bacon gives it a savory kick. Whether in appearance or taste, it’s quite impressive.

These are fruit-flavored cocktails from Japan, both with an alcohol content of 10%. The one on the left is grape-flavored, which is more acidic, while the one on the right is strawberry-flavored and a bit sweeter — perfect for women. (Drinking in excess is harmful to health)

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

I like the dining atmosphere here. The owner often treats guests to special dishes, and this style of management is more in line with what I understand as the spirit of a Japanese izakaya. The chef’s skills are solid, and the prices are reasonable — no wonder it’s busy even on regular weekdays. Besides the first-floor dining area, there are private rooms on the second floor, suitable for larger groups. It’s not just about barbecue here; they offer all kinds of creative Japanese dishes, definitely worth a try. Recommended to everyone.

Address: No. 394, Jiouru 2nd Road, Sanmin District, Kaohsiung City
Map:https://goo.gl/maps/EMGWbAtJna92
Phone: 07-3220030
Business Hours: 17:00～01:00

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