This budget-friendly grilled skewer shop in New Taipei offers three types of sauces — grilled rice blood cake is just 15 NT$!

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Qi Skewers, a great spot for student gatherings or an after-work drink, not only has a wide variety of skewers but also wallet-friendly prices. Founded by seven young friends who aimed to create a space where guests could enjoy their meals happily and leave satisfied, Qi Skewers quickly gained popularity at its original location on Chang’an East Road in Taipei. On this visit, I went to their branch that opened this year near Fu Jen Catholic University, close to both the school district and residential areas — perfect for students looking for a post-class meal with friends!

Qi Skewers (Fu Jen Branch) can be reached in about five minutes on foot from Exit 1 of Fu Jen MRT Station. The shop is located on the main road right next to the university entrance — hard to miss. At night, when lit up, Qi Skewers’ red sign is quite eye-catching, and the font has a flame-like, flowing feel, sparking anticipation for the delicious grilled treats to come.

At the entrance sits a large freezer filled with an abundance of skewer ingredients: meats, vegetables, fish cakes, and more. It’s obvious these are freshly prepped daily, which customers can tell at a glance. This setup makes ordering intuitive. The shop avoids frying the skewers, as too much oil can ruin the flavors. There’s also an outdoor seating area if you prefer dining al fresco.

Impressive work by the grill chefs — they can cook several ingredients at once while managing heat levels, cooking times, and seasonings. Truly skilled. They insist all ingredients are grilled to order, never fried, ensuring the food isn’t greasy and flavors remain pure. They care deeply about ingredient quality: if something is not fresh, overcooked, or not up to standard, they’d rather remake it than serve something subpar.

The dine-in area at Qi Skewers Fu Jen can accommodate around 30–40 guests. Though the decor is nothing fancy, the friendly staff creates a lively atmosphere. The TV at the front usually shows sports games — I imagine enjoying skewers and drinks with friends while watching a match here would be incredibly fun.

No service charge is applied in-store, but utensils and drinks are self-service.

Thoughtfully provided storage baskets.

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For drinks, you can help yourself, but some items must be ordered separately. A variety of alcoholic options are available, such as three flavors of cider, Calpis Sour, and beer — all great with grilled skewers. Non-drinkers can opt for tea, juices, or sodas.

Since all skewers are grilled to order, there’s a short wait — but not long. Qi Skewers stands out with its three unique flavor profiles: Japanese caramel, classic salt & pepper, and Texas style. Most ingredients on the menu have two or more flavor options, and staff will recommend pairings when you order. I tried all three flavors this visit, but my favorite was the Japanese caramel — especially on meat skewers. The sweet-salty taste with a crispy finish is delicious.

Beef, pork, chicken, and lamb skewers – 40 NT$

Though basic, these meat skewers don’t skimp on grilling or seasoning. For beef, pork, and chicken, the Texas style is recommended — bold in flavor. I liked the pork for its juicy fat content. Lamb skewers are unique, seasoned with Japanese caramel, giving them a subtle sweetness that pairs well with the lamb and tones down any gaminess. The texture was surprisingly tender, so I really enjoyed the lamb skewers. If you’re okay with lamb, I recommend giving them a try!

How to tell beef, pork, chicken, and lamb skewers apart? The shop colors the bottom of the bamboo skewers for easy identification, and the staff will explain when serving.

Green onion & meat skewers, bacon skewers – 40 NT$

Both are Japanese caramel flavored, and I loved both. These weren’t greasy at all. Paired with green onions and enoki mushrooms, they were refreshing.

Fish cakes – 25 NT$, king oyster mushrooms – 30 NT$, chicken skin – 30 NT$, green beans – 20 NT$, chicken cartilage – 40 NT$

I really liked the fish cakes — crispy without being burnt, and the Japanese caramel added a slight sweetness. The others used the classic salt & pepper seasoning, richer with a subtle spicy kick — also tasty. I loved the king oyster mushrooms for their juiciness. The chicken skin had a satisfying crunch outside and tenderness within. Its crispness might make you think it’s fried, but it’s grilled, making it less greasy than fried versions.

Green peppers – 20 NT$, pig’s blood cake – 15 NT$, shiitake mushrooms – 30 NT$

The highlight for me was the pig’s blood cake — I usually skip it at hot pot, BBQ, or fried chicken joints (basically, I’m not a fan). But Qi Skewers’ version had me wanting to come back. The outside was wonderfully crispy, yet inside it turned soft and sticky. Best eaten fresh off the grill. The shop recommends Japanese caramel for this too, lending a delicate sweetness instead of the usual peanut powder — I actually preferred the caramel pairing!

The shiitake mushrooms and green peppers were also good. I noticed Qi Skewers’ grilled veggies retain moisture and stay juicy even after cooking.

Boneless chicken thigh – 70 NT$

My favorite of the day was this chicken thigh skewer. The skin was so crispy I thought it was fried. So many customers assumed it was, so the staff joked that it’s 100% grilled. I liked the classic salt & pepper seasoning on this one — the savory saltiness paired perfectly with the crispy skin, and the thigh meat was soft and juicy.

Pork ribs – 40 NT$, rice sausages – 20 NT$

The pork ribs with bones are another of my personal favorites. Unlike typical ribs I’ve had elsewhere, these stood out. The meaty part was rich and flavorful. The bone section had a nice chew. The rice sausages were soft and had a bouncy texture.

Mackerel – 110 NT$

Moving on to the seafood section — most seafood here is served unseasoned to preserve its natural flavor. The mackerel was my favorite seafood dish of the day. Grilled to a crispy skin and tender, oily flesh, a squeeze of lemon really brought out the umami.

Pacific saury $60, fish cheek $40.

Both of these dishes are seasoned. The shop recommends flavors with a savory saltiness, and I really like the fish cheek—the meat is tender and soft, and the fatty parts literally melt in your mouth.

Angel red shrimp $70 each.The shrimp has a firm, springy texture and tastes great even without additional seasoning. However, it’s very hot right after grilling, so it’s best to let it sit for a bit before peeling off the shell to avoid burning your fingers.

Scallops $80, scallop fans, oysters $90.

Qi Chuan Shao (柒串烧屋) offers an incredibly diverse selection of seafood. In addition to fish and shrimp, there are also various types of scallops as shown in the photo above. Especially the large scallop fans and oysters—they’re quite eye-catching once served, and it’s hard to imagine seeing such premium ingredients at a casual skewer joint like this one.

Overall, I think Qi Chuan Shao is a great place for students to gather after class or for office workers to hang out over drinks. At Qi Chuan Shao, you can feel the warmth and friendliness of the place—it’s like making friends over skewers and enjoying a good time together. The atmosphere is relaxed, allowing you to fully unwind and savor the delicious food in front of you.

Qi Chuan Shao (柒串烧屋)(Fu Jen University Branch, Exit 1 of Fu Jen Station)
Address: No. 32, Lane 516, Zhongzheng Rd., Xinzhuang District, New Taipei City (Chang’an Branch: No. 1-1, Sec. 46, Chang’an E. Rd., Zhongshan District, Taipei City)
Phone: 02-2902-1770
Business Hours: 17:00–02:00
Facebook:Qi Chuan Shao - Fu Jen Branch,Qi Chuan Shao (Chang’an Branch)
Reservations available, no service charge, no time limit

Food Craving, Captured Moments
Navigating through the bustling yet leisurely-paced lives of Taipei residents.
Loves uncovering hidden culinary gems tucked away in the city, alleys, and right by people’s homes, and is passionate about exploring corners filled with stories.
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