A stir-fry joint that also sells sushi? This New Taipei Japanese creative dining spot even serves pizza.

Text and photos /Xiao Hu’s Dream Food Blog

I have a group of drinking buddies who live in Banqiao and often roam the area after work looking for places to have a drink. Eventually, we realized we kept alternating between “stir-fry joints,” “mutton hot pot,” and “ginger duck,” making it hard to try something new. Not long ago, we found 【Jing’an Station Food】 Shin no Mise Japanese Seafood Creative Cuisine in Zhonghe—a great spot serving stir-fries, grilled items, Japanese dishes, and even hot pot meals—but Zhonghe is a bit far from us. Fortunately, there’s now a branch near Banqiao’s Nanya Night Market.

The Banqiao branch is located just a two-minute walk from Nanya Night Market and about seven or eight minutes from Fuzhong Station—super convenient for people like us who can’t drive after a few drinks.

The interior decor breaks away from the usual dimness of stir-fry spots, honestly resembling more of a Japanese-style diner. Sports programs, mainly baseball, play on the walls, and reportedly the owner and I share a love for the Tigers (laughs).

● ETtoday News Cloud reminds you: Don’t drink and drive, and don’t drive after drinking.

The branch owner used to run a “Mai Jing Fresh Brew Beer” shop, so you can naturally enjoy some great beer here too.

The draft beer poured into a glass retains a crisp, fresh taste. Most customers, especially those who’ve had a few drinks, praise it highly.

The complimentary edamame not only has a rich bean flavor but is also enhanced by a hint of black pepper spiciness and a subtle garlic aroma—great for drinking.

mentaiko potato – NT$100When it comes to Japanese food, mentaiko potato is definitely a must-order for me. The potato here is softer than usual, as if it's been pan-fried or roasted, giving off a distinctly oily aroma. There’s plenty of mentaiko sauce on top, making every bite incredibly satisfying.

oyster with spicy sauce – NT$180The oysters in the bowl are quite large, perfectly sweet without any of the fishy taste I dread. Interestingly, the wasabi is served on the spoon...

assorted sashimi – NT$200I’ve always thought the sashimi at the Zhonghe branch was a highlight—fresh, delicious, and reasonably priced. The quality didn’t drop after moving to Banqiao, especially the salmon, which is rich and tasty.

grilled salmon belly nigiriIt looks like three pieces, but there are actually six. The grill isn’t too heavy, just enough to bring out the oil aroma. The melt-in-your-mouth fish is delightful, and there’s even a sprinkle of salmon roe on top.

caterpillar roll (5 pieces) – NT$300Basically, it’s a variation of a California roll or a flower roll, but each place has its own twist. The standout here is the lightly grilled mentaiko sauce on the sushi, which adds a toasty mentaiko flavor and arich mouthfeel. Additionally, the salmon on top is much better than at other places—very rich and buttery. This dish is a must-order because it’s outrageously good.

beer prawns – NT$400It feels like a fusion of beer prawns and classic stir-fry, with the usual savory taste of stir-fry and a subtle hint of beer that emerges afterward—especially around the shrimp heads, which add a particularly layered and fascinating flavor.

crispy chicken cartilage – NT$180The chicken cartilage is fried to such a crispy, crunchy texture, which is somewhat rare. It has a flavor reminiscent of salt-and-pepper chicken but with the addictive mouthfeel of fried garlic—definitely a great drink-pairing dish.

Japanese chicken skewers, Japanese pork skewers, cumin lamb skewers – NT$120 per skewerWhen asked why they serve these relatively labor-intensive grilled skewers, the boss laughed and said it’s because customers wanted them. Interestingly, though not their main specialty, the grilling is still quite good—the fat renders nicely, and the sauce is bold, perfect for drinking.

French-style beer-roasted chicken – NT$450It’s pretty surprising to see this French dish at a stir-fry or izakaya joint. The chicken skin is super crispy, oily, and smooth, with a hint of beer sweetness behind the aromatic spices. The skin alone is insanely delicious, while the meat is tender and soft—best eaten while hot.

Kobe beef ribs – NT$180. These brisket strips are quite chewy, with a semi-melted fatty texture. Sprinkled with mildly spicy chili powder and white sesame seeds, they add layers to the overall flavor. A few shredded onions make them even juicier.

Spicy Stinky Tofu — 180 NT. I’ve always loved the spicy stinky tofu at Shin’s Shop. While it’s not overwhelmingly numbing or scorching hot, the balance of numbness, spice, saltiness, and aroma is very pleasant. The textures of the tofu and duck blood are just right, making it a dish suitable for all ages — super addictive.

Osaka-style Japanese Beef Tataki — 200 NT. This is another dish I always order when I visit Shin’s Shop. Although it’s only 200 NT per plate, the quality of the beef is quite impressive — tender without being too soft, with a pleasant fattiness. The egg yolk adds smoothness, while the onions provide juiciness for chewing. Green onions and meat are always a great pair, together enhancing the sweetness of the raw beef.

What??? A Chinese stir-fry joint, an izakaya, and a Japanese restaurant actually serve pizza... that’s pretty shocking... and the kicker is, it’s not worse than what you’d get at a regular pizza place.

Mexican Spicy Pizza — 280 NT. The crust is on the crisp yet slightly thick side, with a good wheaty chew. The cheese is rich and creamy, and the toppings are decent, though I didn’t really taste much heat, even though there were quite a few chili peppers.

Shin’s Shop (Banqiao Nanya Branch)
Address: No. 8, Section 1, Nanya South Road, Banqiao District, New Taipei City (10-minute walk from Fuzhong Station, next to Nanya Night Market)
Phone: 02 2272 7007
Business Hours: 17:00 – 02:00

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