You'd be doing yourself a disservice by not ordering this dish—the must-try at Taipei’s Italian risotto specialist!

Text & Photos /Food Craving, Photo Capture

"Chi Yi Dun Fan—eat a meal!"

Nestled between Taipei Arena and Nanjing Fuxing, this cozy Italian eatery has a playful and memorable name: Chi Yi Dun Fan (Eat Italian Risotto), proudly specializing in risotto. Visit Chi Yi Dun Fan to sample a variety of dishes—its warm and inviting atmosphere during the day makes it perfect for casual meals, while the evening transforms it into an ideal spot for gatherings with friends!

Chi Yi Dun Fan is located near Exit 1 of Taipei Arena Station, just a 10-minute walk away (passing by IKEA and Dynasty Hotel along the way). Alternatively, take the MRT to Nanjing Fuxing Station, Exit 7, and it's just a 7-minute walk!

Stepping into Chi Yi Dun Fan, the first-floor space resembles a charming Italian bistro, wrapped in muted greys and blacks, interwoven with red brick walls and art pieces, exuding a retro vibe. There are plenty of seating options, ranging from large 8-person tables to cozy two-seaters—perfect for group dining.

The staff informed us there’s also a second-floor dining area. Heading upstairs, I found the second floor even more delightful—the sunlight streaming through the windows onto pink walls and wooden tables, complemented by stylish black-and-white tiled flooring, offered a completely different ambiance from the first-floor bistro style.

On the second floor, there's even a gentle “moon” hidden away, nestled among the beams on the ceiling, with tiny lights surrounding it like stars.

Back to the food—we ordered a double set meal, which started with soup and bread. The tomato vegetable consommé was light, refreshing, and sweet with hints of tomato and vegetables. You can also dip the bread in it. I really liked the homemade olive tapenade served on the side—it paired perfectly with the crispy toasted bread. The inside of the bread had a nice wheaty aroma and a soft texture.

Double Set Meal: Bread / Soup x2, Salad x1, Rice/Pasta Main x1, Main Dish x1, Drinks (NT$50 each) x2
Personally, I think the set meal is quite good value, especially for group dining. The price is based on the main dish—for example, we chose a NT$1,099 main dish, which determined the price of the entire double set. Other dishes and drinks can be selected from the options on the set menu, or you can upgrade for an additional charge.

Interestingly, the set meals are served on these triangular platters. If you order four, they can be arranged into a circle. But on our visit, we only had three dishes, creating a fun, slightly “incomplete” look—almost like an open mouth ready to dig in!

Salad: Brick Chicken Caesar Salad, Rice/Pasta: Truffle Brick Chicken Leg Creamy Mushroom Risotto (premium), Main: Honey Coriander Duck Breast (NT$1,099)

Brick Chicken Caesar Salad
A delicious and appetizing Caesar salad. Normally, Caesar salads can feel heavy or overly saucy, but Chi Yi Dun Fan’s version uses a specially prepared dressing that’s lighter and more refreshing. It pairs nicely with crisp lettuce or tomatoes. I particularly enjoyed the chicken leg meat and the crunchy croutons—they even included bacon bits. The portion is perfect for sharing between two people and is quite filling.

Honey Coriander Duck Breast
The staff recommended this duck breast dish—it’s one of the restaurant’s popular items. Served with two thick slices of duck breast and sliced potatoes on the side, it looked incredibly tempting. Coriander seeds are a type of spice, similar to pepper, with a slightly spicy kick. Paired with a honey-infused sauce, the flavors are rich and balanced between sweet and savory without overpowering the aroma of the roasted duck. The meat is tender with a bit of chew, and I loved the crispy outer layer—best enjoyed hot to preserve the texture. The accompanying potatoes were also great—easy to cut with a fork, soft and fluffy, and delicious when dipped in the duck sauce.

Truffle Brick Chicken Leg Creamy Mushroom Risotto
This dish even had a “you’d be doing yourself a disservice by not ordering it” note on the menu, so I didn’t hesitate to try it on my first visit to Chi Yi Dun Fan. A generous slice of pan-seared chicken leg sat atop a rich-looking creamy mushroom risotto—the portion almost looked like it might overflow the plate (a slight exaggeration, but you get the idea—it’s a big serving!). The truffle aroma was strong and detectable as soon as it arrived. Within the creamy mushroom risotto, you could clearly taste the truffle. The risotto itself had a nice al dente bite that I really enjoyed. The chicken leg was generously portioned, pan-seared with a non-greasy finish, slightly crispy on the outside, and tender and flavorful on the inside.

Tipsy Tiramisu (available Wed–Sun) NT$250
Raw Chocolate Tart (available Sat–Tue, reservation required—a late-night French handmade dessert) NT$330

I really enjoyed this tiramisu—bold in alcohol flavor, rich in aroma, and delightfully smooth and soft. While I thought it could have been a touch moister, the overall taste was great and made for a satisfying end to the meal.

I never expected to find such a hard-to-book late-night French handmade dessert at Chi Yi Dun Fan. However, perhaps because I’m not usually a fan of chocolate tarts, I found this one to be fairly average. The chocolate was indeed rich, but the sweetness was a bit high. The tart shell had a muted flavor and slightly firm texture. Compared to the tiramisu, I definitely preferred the former!

Beverages include milk tea and Lanling King Sour (non-alcoholic)
The milk tea is a standard drink included in the set meal at no extra cost—its flavor is fairly average. The Lanling King Sour, however, is more unique, made with blue curaçao syrup and lemon, resulting in a shimmering ocean-blue hue that’s very eye-catching. It tastes sweet and sour with a slight fizziness, similar to lemon soda, and is quite refreshing.

I really liked both the food and the atmosphere at Chi Yi Dun Fan. Dining here is not only satisfying but also feels relaxed and comfortable. It’s a great spot for group meals, especially when everyone shares food from the triangular plates—it’s an adorable and fun scene that helps everyone bond over delicious food. Next time, bring your friends along and come to Chi Yi Dun Fan for a proper meal together

Eat Italian Risotto
Address/Add: No. 17, Lane 120, Dunhua North Road, Songshan District, Taipei City (Exit 1 of Taipei Arena Station)
Tel: 02-8712-6161
Business Hours/BH: 12:00 - 15:00, 18:00 - 21:30 (Last Order 14:00, 20:30)
Facebook:Eat Italian Risotto
Reservation available | No time limit | Minimum charge of one dish per person | NT$35 cleaning fee per person

Food Craving, Memory Capturing
Navigating through the busy yet leisurely-paced lives of Taipei residents.
Enjoys uncovering hidden gourmet spots in the city, alleys, and right by your doorstep, with a passion for exploring corners filled with stories.
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