Absolutely First-Class: Three Must-Try Dishes at The Okura Prestige Taipei

▲ The three Absolutely First-Class dishes at The Okura Prestige Taipei. (Photo / Provided by The Okura Prestige Taipei, same below)

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

The Tokyo Okura Hotel, known as one of the "Three Great Hotels," features a signature dish in each of its restaurants—masterpieces crafted by the chefs that are touted as must-eat-at-least-once-in-a-lifetime meals, hence called “Absolutely First-Class.” In 2017, The Okura Prestige Taipei welcomed three renowned chefs from Hong Kong and Japan to oversee three of its restaurants: Taohualin Chinese Cuisine, European Dining Buffet, and Yamazato Japanese Restaurant. Together, they created what are now considered the Absolutely First-Class dishes of The Okura Prestige Taipei.


▲ Dragon Ribbon with Pear and Yuzu Aroma

The Absolutely First-Class dishes at The Okura Prestige Taipei are: Dragon Ribbon with Pear and Yuzu Aroma (NT$680), Charcoal Crust Pork Cutlet (NT$480), and Grilled Eel with Tamagoyaki (NT$650). The Dragon Ribbon with Pear and Yuzu Aroma is the signature dish of Chef Ye Zhichao of Taohualin Chinese Cuisine. It features pear slices wrapped around Japanese scallops and shrimp mousse, coated with a slightly crispy outer layer, and then enveloped in scallops with shrimp filling inside. These three distinct ingredients not only complement each other without overpowering, but also come together as a sweet and savory fried dish.


▲ Charcoal Crust Pork Cutlet

The Charcoal Crust Pork Cutlet is the Absolutely First-Class dish introduced by Chef Arai Akira of the European Dining Buffet. The idea was inspired by Xi-style bone-in beef steak, and the team began considering adding health-beneficial ingredients. As a result, they mixed charcoal powder into the Xi-style crust, wrapped the cutlet with herbs, and then grilled it. Beyond the main dish, even the accompanying sauce incorporates charcoal powder.


▲ Grilled Eel with Tamagoyaki

The Grilled Eel with Tamagoyaki is the Absolutely First-Class dish from Chef Fujimura Masahiro, the Executive Chef of Yamazato Japanese Restaurant. The chef first prepares the eel through a process of grilling followed by steaming, then seasons and glazes it to create the signature grilled eel. High-quality local eggs are chosen to make the tamagoyaki, seasoned with bonito dashi along with sugar, soy sauce, and mirin. Finally, the grilled eel is rolled inside the tamagoyaki.

All three Absolutely First-Class dishes require advance reservations.

Address: No. 9, Section 1, Nanjing East Road, Zhongshan District, Taipei City
Taohualin Chinese Cuisine Reservation Hotline: (02) 2181-5136　
European Dining Buffet Reservation Hotline: (02) 2181-5135　
Yamazato Japanese Restaurant Reservation Hotline: (02) 2181-5137