Newly opened "buffet" in Tainan features a kids' play area!

Text and photos bySean

The other day, an editor from a handsome and stylish food fan group messaged me privately to say that a new spot called Hao Tian had opened in the East District. The place has ample space, parking, and even a children's play area. These added bonuses made me decide to have dinner there tonight. Since it’s also quite blog-worthy, I decided to post about it the same evening. First, let’s talk about the environment—it’s really as spacious and bright as my friend described.

The ordering system is somewhat similar to that of a Western university cafeteria—you queue up with a tray, pick your food, and then pay.

This could probably be called the main menu?!

In addition to the à la carte dishes priced individually, there are also items weighed by weight.

What we had tonight is roughly represented by these numbers. Individual PIZZAs are self-served after the sensor vibrates.

If I hadn’t carelessly let my little one order a PIZZA today, my rating for Hao Tian would’ve been much higher. This pizza was just... too local. The crust was extremely thick yet not crispy, paired with fillings whose flavors I just couldn’t enjoy. It was a regrettable choice.

However, the Taiwanese dishes were done quite well—more flavorful and less greasy than most bento shop side dishes. It felt like a better-tasting, meatier version of Changchun Vegetarian. Weighed buffets generally tend to feel a bit pricier, but I think if the taste suits you, it’s okay to pay a bit more. After all, I’ve never come across a buffet that offers child-sized utensils and dental floss picks, plus such a clean and spacious dining environment.

There’s one more thing I’d like to mention—their full name is "Hao Tian Japanese & Western Buffet Restaurant." In Taiwan, it seems that any menu featuring both Western and Japanese dishes can call itself a “Japanese & Western” restaurant. Personally, I think that’s misleading.

The so-called Japanese & Western cuisine, simply put, should be asdescribed on this Japanese website: "Western cuisine arranged in a Japanese style." Essentially, it means presenting Western dishes using Japanese ingredients, cooking methods, or plating—not just serving both Western and Japanese dishes like oden under the same roof. If selling both Japanese and Western food qualifies as Japanese & Western cuisine, then 7-11 should be the largest chain of Japanese & Western restaurants in Taiwan. There’s nothing wrong with authentic Taiwanese flavors—in fact, the more genuine, the better.

Of course, Japanese cuisine still has its market, but we’ve entered an era where emphasizing Taiwanese flavors can drive strong sales. There’s no need to deliberately play with names. I’m proudly Taiwanese—that’s the right attitude.

In short, Hao Tian is a pretty nice buffet restaurant with a wide variety of dishes and options for all budgets. Will I go back? Absolutely. With a playroom and parking, it perfectly fits the family-oriented crowd in the East District. That said, I’ll probably only stick to the Taiwanese dishes—Western ones are a pass.

Lastly, a reminder to parents planning to “release” their kids here: “Your kids, your responsibility!” Even at a family-friendly restaurant, it’s not a place to let your kids run wild—especially when it’s just kid-accommodating, not a full-on daycare. Don’t let your child roam and disturb other diners.

Hao Tian Japanese & Western Buffet Restaurant
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Address: No. 236, Chongshan Road, East District, Tainan City
Phone: 06 -260 1819
Business Hours: 10:30–14:00, 16:30–21:00 (no public holidays listed)

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