Carry watermelons and drink soju—Taipei’s newly opened Korean restaurant serves hearty seafood pancakes!

Text/Photos byFood Craving, Snapshot

Korean restaurants on Taipei’s streets seem to be so numerous they could form a bingo line, but what’s rare is that each spot highlights uniquely delicious offerings—some specialize in BBQ, some in budae jjigae (army stew), others in fried chicken. The wide variety ensures Korean food lovers can enjoy a different experience at every eatery.

This time, we’re introducing a restaurant that combines various Korean flavors—“Taiwan-Korea Republic.” Though both chefs hail from Korea, they’ve trained at the Culinary Institute of America and Michelin-starred restaurants (the CIA being the pinnacle of culinary education in the U.S.). As a result, their dishes aren’t your typical traditional Korean fare; you’ll spot hints of Western cuisine, and these creative fusions result in truly delicious plates!

Taiwan-Korea Republic is located in Taipei’s East District, near Zhongxiao Dunhua Station (Exit 5) and Eslite Dunhua. The area is packed with dining options, making it quite a competitive food scene. Its black sign isn’t the most eye-catching, but the name “Taiwan-Korea Republic” feels familiar—like a blend of Taiwanese and Korean vibes—with “from New York” written at the bottom, representing the two chefs.

We visited during lunchtime right when they opened. The place wasn’t full yet, and for a lunchtime BBQ spot, there were a decent number of diners, with two or three more tables filling up shortly after. Most seats accommodate 4–6 people, offering ample space perfect for group meals. The tables are also well-spaced, so if you’re planning an evening gathering with friends, booking ahead is highly recommended!

The lamp behind the seating area features hand-painted dishes—one adorable illustration of watermelon soju had us excited to see the real thing!

Utensils and napkins are stored in the drawer under the table. They use Korean-style flat chopsticks and spoons!

Korean cuisine wouldn’t be complete without a variety of side dishes, and here, all the banchan are refillable—no worries about running out. The daily selection may vary slightly depending on ingredient availability. Personally, I loved the kimchi and shredded onions, both delicious on their own or wrapped in lettuce with meat. The kimchi also comes in varying levels of spiciness and tanginess!

The three sauces on the table, from left to right:Korean doenjang (fermented soybean paste)、Sesame oil and pepper sauce、Traditional Korean BBQ sauce

These three sauces pair wonderfully with grilled meats—you’re not limited to a specific combo, so feel free to adjust based on your taste. I personally love the middle sesame oil sauce and the right-side traditional BBQ sauce on their own, but the doenjang tastes even better when mixed into lettuce wraps!

The sight of all the dishes arriving at once is truly spectacular—a colorful, bustling spread of Korean delights that’s impossible not to crave!

◆ Full detailed menu at Taiwan-Korea Republic:Click here to view the menu

Spicy Stir-Fried Rice Cakes – NT$229

Cheese elevates this dish with extra richness. For the best texture, eat the rice cakes while hot—they’re tender and soft. Paired with the thick, spicy sauce and melted cheese, it’s absolutely delicious!

Special Cold Noodles – NT$249

I’ve had cold noodles in both Taiwan and Korea, but never in an ice bowl before—huge ice-filled serving dishes catch everyone’s eye as soon as they’re placed on the table, and just looking at them feels refreshing. The noodles are delightfully chewy, and the icy broth makes for a cool, refreshing bite, slightly tangy and sweet. I’d personally prefer a stronger flavor!

Soup Steamed Egg – NT$69

I’ve always loved Korean steamed eggs, having tried versions with kimchi and cheese before. At Taiwan-Korea Republic, I enjoyed the simplest, most authentic version. The warm, soft egg has a lovely texture—remember to eat it while it’s hot, or it might overcook and become rubbery!

Seafood Pancake – NT$229

The pancake portion was bigger than I expected, and the fillings were generous—shrimp and squid included. Dip it in the spicy soy sauce for a flavorful kick. I loved the slightly crispy exterior and soft inside, plus the added aroma from the green onions. (Even though I was pretty full by then, I still ended up having two pieces!)

Spicy Stir-Fried Pork – NT$229

This was a dish that felt a bit Taiwanese in style on the day. At first, I thought the cheese was under the spicy stir-fried pork, but upon closer inspection, it turned out to be egg instead. The staff helped us mix the spicy stir-fried pork and the egg together, turning it into something like sliced meat stir-fried with eggs. There were onions, meat, eggs, and spicy sauce—it really made me want to order a bowl of plain rice to go with it XD

Korean-style Thick Omelette $199

This was my favorite dish of the day and the one I found most creative among all the offerings. I initially thought it was just a regular Korean thick omelette, but the chef added some international flair, making this dish both Korean and French-inspired, with three distinct flavors in one.

The first flavor comes from eating the thick omelette as is, without any sauce—you can notice dried tomatoes, cheese powder, and a special drizzle on top, resulting in a sweet-and-salty balance. The other two flavors come from the accompanying dipping sauces: homemade mushroom sauce and grapefruit yogurt sauce. Dipping the omelette into these two sauces offers two completely different textures, which is quite captivating.

Beef & Pork Combo Platter $1899 (add $100 for a side salad)

The beef & pork combo platter includes six types of meat:Pork belly,Spotted pork,Marinated spotted pork,Beef ribs,Beef shoulder,Flap meat. The portion is enough for about 3–4 people to share. If you’re dining with a group, we’d recommend ordering the combo platter—it’s more cost-effective and lets you enjoy a variety of flavors and cuts in one go.

Since the goal is for everyone to enjoy the best experience, the staff will grill the meat for you, so there's no need to worry about not knowing how to grill or accidentally overcooking the meat.

The spotted pork has a softer, more tender texture, and I prefer eating it on its own with a dipping sauce or the grilled mushrooms on the side. The platter also includes a special marinated spotted pork, which is cured and seasoned to deliver an even more tender texture and richer, more flavorful taste.

When talking about Korean BBQ, you can’t skip pork belly. The fatty pork belly is the perfect match with lettuce. Add a bit of Korean doenjang (fermented soybean paste), kimchi, and onions, wrap it all up in a piece of lettuce, and pop it into your mouth—the layers of flavor are simply amazing. The pork belly here at Taiwan-Korea Bistro is also great on its own, as it’s grilled to a slightly crispy exterior, so it doesn’t feel too greasy. As for the lettuce, although it’s not included for free but ordered separately, we really liked the texture—it’s fresh and crisp, definitely worth trying.

For the beef, my favorite is the flap meat, which is the most tender among the three types. The staff will suggest the ideal doneness when grilling the beef, but you can also adjust it to your liking. For the grilled beef, I prefer eating it plain without any sauce, but if you find it a bit oily, you can pair it with lettuce or onions.

Hidden Menu (Chef’s Recommendation) $449 (price subject to change)

This cut isn’t currently on the menu, but you can ask the staff about it verbally. However, it’s limited in quantity per day, so it may sell out. What’s special about this dish? It’s actually spotted pork prepared using the sous vide cooking method, which has been popular in French cuisine in recent years. The low-temperature vacuum-cooked meat is then lightly grilled on a copper plate before serving. The result is meat that’s tender yet slightly crispy, not greasy at all, and has a subtle aroma even without any sauce. We all loved this dish, and it’s quite unique to see this French cooking technique applied to Korean BBQ.

Watermelon Soju $399

In recent years, Korean cuisine has become popular, and aside from the food, drinks have also become a hot topic. Drinks like the cocktails and “bomb” drinks that became trendy in Korean creative restaurants are some of the signature highlights. The watermelon soju here combines the freshness of watermelon with the classic Korean soju, creating a refreshing drink that’s very popular among customers. Blending real watermelon with soju makes it much easier to drink compared to regular soju, and it’s both delicious and refreshing. It’s quite suitable for those who aren’t huge fans of alcohol. However, since it still contains alcohol, I’d advise friends who don’t drink much to be careful. Otherwise, you might end up having a bit too much fun. For those who don’t drink alcohol,

there are also regular soft drinks to choose from, such as soda or imported Korean fruit juices—both are great options.

Finally, the restaurant serves a small dessert at the end of the meal to help cleanse the palate. It’s made with fruit and has an interesting molecular gastronomy-like twist. One bite gives you the sweet-and-sour flavors of pineapple and lemon, with a texture as soft as tapioca pearls—very unique and refreshing.

The dishes at Taiwan-Korea Bistro are all pretty good—not only fun and creative, but they also don’t compromise on the inherent deliciousness of the ingredients. I’ve eaten at many Korean restaurants in Taipei, and while I haven’t tried every single BBQ spot, personally, the BBQ here at Taiwan-Korea Bistro left a deep impression on me. The atmosphere is great for gatherings, and the portions are decent, so it’s more worthwhile when dining with a group. It’s only been open for a little over a month, and apparently the chefs are still working hard to develop more special dishes. That makes me look forward to what delicious surprises await in the future at Taiwan-Korea Bistro.

South Korea Republic
Address: No. 7, Alley 6, Lane 170, Section 4, Zhongxiao East Road, Da’an District, Taipei City
Phone: 02-27115007
Business hours: Mon-Fri: 17:00 - 0:00 | Sat: 12:00 - 0:00 | Sun: 12:00 - 23:00
Facebook:South Korea Republic Korean BBQ Restaurant
Reservation available | Cash only | 10% service charge | BYOB fee of $200 per bottle

Craving, Capturing
Moving through the busy yet unhurried life of Taipei people.
Loves uncovering hidden delicacies in the city, alleys, and right next to home, and enjoys exploring corners full of stories.
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