A popular Japanese restaurant in Taitung: the dreamy pairing of Hualien rice and 3cm-thick tonkatsu

Text & Photos /Paperclip 'Food Photography Joy'

Before heading back to Taipei, we realized we had enough time, so a friend recommended a Japanese tonkatsu place called "Rantian" where we could have a hearty meal before catching the train. Following Google Maps from Tiehua Village, we walked for about 20 minutes to reach the rather secluded-looking storefront. Since we arrived early, the place wasn’t crowded, and we got a seat without a reservation. The waitress brought water and menus, and we started browsing.

Thinking back to my younger days (starting to sound like those nostalgic old ladies...), I used to really enjoy this kind of food—satisfying and filling, especially the blue ribbon tonkatsu with melted cheese inside, which was always my top choice. Gradually, I grew less fond of such rich foods, sticking mostly to lean cuts like tenderloin, where you can enjoy the juicy, springy texture of the meat without it being overwhelmed by cheese. Eventually, I couldn’t even enjoy fried foods like this anymore, and slowly stopped eating them altogether.

So, faced with the various tonkatsu and seafood options in front of me, I wasn’t particularly tempted and just casually picked the most basic, no-frills option—"Tonkatsu Lean Meat" (single ¥260 / set ¥320). Two friends ordered"Assorted Fried Seafood" (¥300 / ¥360)and"Creative Pork Roll" (¥280 / ¥340). We all upgraded to the set meals. According to other bloggers’ reviews, Rantian’s handmade Japanese tonkatsu used to be in Chihpen but moved to Taitung City a few years ago, and fans followed—proof of this little shop’s strong appeal.

After a while, our dishes arrived one by one, all neatly arranged on trays, looking quite impressive. Oh, and I was also startled by those neatly stacked thick-cut pork cutlets—the cross-section looked to be over 3 cm thick?! The meat was a lovely pink color, making a great first impression. But how did it taste? My concerns—like the meat being too tough or the coating too dry—never materialized.

Taking a bite, the outer crust was crisp and fragrant, with no heaviness at all. The pork was juicy, and with careful chewing, you could savor the unique flavor of the meat. Paired with shredded cabbage, it added a refreshing contrast, and you could also dip it in the accompanying miso sauce or sesame soy sauce. Don’t forget the star supporting role of tonkatsu rice—the plain white rice. Rantian’s rice is delicious, and the reason is... this is Taitung. The Hualien rice here may not be as translucent and fragrant as Japanese rice, but it has a unique bounce that invites you to chew slowly.

The miso soup was also well-made.

This is my friend’s fried seafood. The fried seafood comes with mayo.

The Creative Pork Roll includes variations with scallions, kimchi, cheese, and shiso sauce.

The set meal includes a drink and dessert. This is the sesame brulee dessert.

I chose the kudzu mochi ice cream. Personally, I didn’t think it was a great choice—the kudzu had a texture that wasn’t chewy enough.

Thanks to my friend for recommending Rantian, allowing me—who hadn’t touched such rich, greasy food in years—to rediscover it and leave with wonderful memories.

Rantian Handmade Japanese Tonkatsu
https://www.facebook.com/LanTianChaFang/
No. 14-6, Lane 255, Zhengqi North Road, Taitung City
08-9345526
11:00-14:30 / 17:30-21:00, Closed Mondays

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