Sauces and breading imported directly from Japan – Kibeiten Taiwan’s first store strives to replicate the authentic Japanese flavor

The renowned katsu curry rice shop Kibeiten from Kobe, Japan, will officially open on December 10. Since the exclusive sauces developed by founder Mr. Shigeo Kamisawa at the time of the brand’s inception, along with a special breading ratio, could not be replicated using suitable ingredients found in Taiwan, both these key ingredients are imported directly from Japan to ensure the taste and texture are exactly the same as at the flagship store in Japan.

▲ Sauces and breading imported directly from Japan, Kibeiten Taiwan’s first store strives to replicate the exact same taste and texture as the flagship store in Japan.

As for the pork, Kibeiten’s head chef in Japan, Mr. Yukiyuki Ino, tested over ten types of Taiwanese pork varieties during the three-month preparation period, insisting on finding the best-textured pork — specifically loin. Currently, pork from southern Taiwan is used. Meanwhile, the Japanese branch uses Canadian pork. If Taiwan opens up imports in the future, will Kibeiten Taiwan switch to Canadian pork? Mr. Mamoru Kamisawa, director of Kibeiten Japan, stated that the reason Canadian pork is used in Japan is due to the large volume required. For now, Taiwan Kibeiten hopes to continue using locally sourced pork.


▲ Classic Japanese-style pork cutlet rice bowl.


▲ Kibeiten’s special pork cutlet rice bowl.

Additionally, the frying oil used by Kibeiten is a blended mix of palm fruit oil and vegetable oils (rapeseed and corn oil), proportioned specifically. Mr. Mamoru Kamisawa, director of Kibeiten Japan, explained that when the brand was first established, the goal was to ensure customers wouldn’t feel any stomach discomfort after eating fried pork cutlets. After testing many types of oil, the blend of palm fruit oil with rapeseed and corn oil was found to be gentle on the stomach while still producing a crispy texture.


▲ Korean-style spicy pork cutlet rice bowl.

The menu includes three types of pork cutlet rice bowls: Kibeiten’s special pork cutlet rice bowl, classic Japanese-style pork cutlet rice bowl, and Korean-style spicy pork cutlet rice bowl. The special pork cutlet rice bowl represents the original flavor since the brand’s founding — the fried pork cutlet is simmered in a secret, proprietary broth before being served with a soft-boiled egg, and remains delicious even without onions. The classic Japanese-style pork cutlet rice bowl is topped with a carefully selected sauce, served over crisp cabbage, and accompanied by a onsen egg. Meanwhile, the Korean-style spicy pork cutlet features a spicy sauce developed by head chef Ino, paired with mayonnaise for a sweet-and-spicy, multi-layered fusion of Japanese and Korean flavors.

Address: 1F, 22 Songshou Rd., Xinyi District, Taipei City (NEO19 Mall, Songren Rd. side)
Phone: 02-2723-3313
Business hours: Monday to Sunday, lunch 11:00 ~ 15:30, dinner 17:00 ~ 21:00


▲ Menu.


▲ Item descriptions.