Pet-friendly！Taiwan's central city gem serves exclusive "Finger" Pork Chop Curry Rice

Text/Photos byOrange Dog Loves Candy

On sweltering summer days when temperatures soar to 33 or 34°C, finding an air-conditioned spot for a hearty meal often raises concerns about cost—without cooling, you'd just sweat through your meal. 【Ziman Kerlü】 is a fantastic option. Situated on Zhongcheng Street near Qianmei, this area has transformed dramatically over the past two years from a row of homes and breakfast spots to a competitive dining strip featuring barbecue, stir-fries, Hong Kong dim sum, brunch, and coffee. Yet among similarly designed eateries, 【Ziman Kerlü】 offers remarkably wallet-friendly prices！

【Ziman Kerlü】 is actually a new branch of the popular 【Ziman Shokudo】 in the southern district, a curry-focused specialty shop. The name "Kerlü" cleverly echoes "curry" in sound. Curry rice specialists are surprisingly rare around here. They open for lunch, and Zhongcheng Street remains pleasantly quiet—you can spot their sign from afar.

From the outside, I mistook it for a coffee shop. The space blends industrial-chic hardness with softened wooden tones. The entrance displays numerous standing signs and hanging cloths introducing the menu. Instead of light meals, they serve filling cooked dishes. Though only a single-floor venue, it boasts ample seating with no time restrictions and boasts appealing decor.

The other half of the space houses the kitchen and counter, where food is prepared to order. The aroma of curry wafts through during the wait. Their kitchen is spotless, so even being near seating, there’s no unpleasant smell—a testament to their meticulous upkeep. Weekends often see young crowds dining here, making it a surprisingly thriving business on competitive Zhongcheng Street. By the way, it’s pet-friendly！Their store dog, Gali, occasionally greets customers warmly～

Gali, like our family’s girl, was once an abandoned pup but is now chubby and affectionate. So dogs don’t have to be raised from puppies—many strays, having known hardship, become even sweeter in homes！Pet owners can dine with their furry friends, letting them socialize and enjoy the AC！

Beyond curry rice, the menu includes q-grilled items and udon. Prices are refreshingly affordable—the cheapest 【Ziman Curry Rice】 (with soup) is just 110 TWD. For such a stylish spot, that’s surprisingly low. Most priciest combo sets range from 200 to 250 TWD, while drinks start at 35 TWD. I live nearby but had no idea such a budget-friendly eatery existed！ Today, it’s three adults and one child～

We ordered four meals, and to my surprise, the child loved it—the flavors are accessible too！ Ordering is simple: just choose between à la carte or combos (okay, I’m stating the obvious). Highlights include options for "original, mild spicy, or spicy." In Taichung, skipping a little heat feels off！ You can also add PITA bread or egg salad (?). The PITA is a hit with kids.

【Finger Pork Chop Curry Rice│Combo (Soup + PITA + Egg Salad)│Mild Spicy│190 TWD】

This is the signature curry rice—loaded with carrots, potatoes, and **four** fried pork chops. The curry sauce is generous, simmered with veggies for a refreshing, slightly sweet taste.

It has richness, elevated by a hint of spice. In hot summers, curry can feel heavy, but this gentle kick boosts appetite. Scooping curry with rice is wildly satisfying！ The "Finger Pork Chops" are 【Ziman Kerlü】’s exclusive creation—trimmed of excess fat, hand-shaped into strips.

Crispy on the outside, juicy and tender inside with a satisfying thickness. The texture is excellent, not just about looks—it’s a genuinely delicious chop. The combo’s sides? Let’s highlight the **PITA bread**, akin to Indian naan.

Tear pieces, wrap rice and curry, or dip directly—both work well. The crust is chewy, and even the child happily polished off two slices！ The combo also includes seaweed soup and egg salad, offering solid portions at a fair price.

Normally served on wooden trays (I removed it for photos), it’s bento-style. The kid loved the egg salad too (seriously, ignoring the main for sides, huh？XD)

【Ziman Udon Soup│À La Carte│140 TWD│Original】

For spice-averse diners, try their refreshing Japanese udon. The broth can be spicy or mild—we opted for original due to a non-spicy friend. It’s generously stocked with pork, fish, egg strips, and greens！

The soup is sweet and clean, with ample meat. The udon noodles are unusually springy and Q-textured—custom-made for an authentic Japanese bite that soaks up broth beautifully！

Still, I’d recommend at least **mild spicy**—heat enhances the broth’s sweetness and layers. Otherwise, the ingredients and portion are already superb！

【Palm-Sized Chicken Leg Curry Rice│Combo (Soup + PITA + Egg Salad)│Mild Spicy│250 TWD】

A palm-sized boneless chicken leg, marinated for aromatic flavor. The chunks are sizable and tasty！

We chose mild spicy curry again—larger portions mean even greater satiety！

【q-Grilled Curry Noodles│Combo (Soup + Egg Salad)│Mild Spicy│200 TWD】

Curry and q-grilled cheese are timeless partners！ The dish arrives with irresistible melted cheese aroma. Under the cheesy layer: not regular noodles, but spiral pasta—

which helps the curry and cheese cling better, delivering bold spice in every bite. The meat and radish are also coated in rich curry, making it more flavorful than the curry rice！

【Ziman À La Carte Bites│Handmade Korokke│25 TWD】

If I recall, these are 25 TWD each. Typical korokke are potato-filled, but 【Ziman】 crafts theirs like gourmet patties—hand-ground meat for a hearty, meaty bite！

Juicy, with crisp veggie textures—a completely unique twist on classic korokke！

【Drinks│Okinawa Milk Tea 60 NTD│Fresh Lemonade 50 NTD│Tieguanyin Latte 60 NTD】

Normally, drinks at shops like this usually cost around 80–100 NTD, but even their beverages here are quite reasonably priced. The Okinawa Milk Tea is said to be one of their popular items—I thought it was pretty tasty, actually. The brown sugar flavor pairs well with the fresh milk.

As for the Tieguanyin Latte, the ratio is fairly good, though I personally prefer a stronger taste of Tieguanyin. Still, the price is very affordable. Even though none of the drinks are included in the set meals, ordering them separately won’t hurt your wallet either, so it’s really a great value.

It’s not easy to find a place that offers full meals, has reasonable prices, is air-conditioned, and is also pet-friendly. Ziman Ke Lü manages to meet all these criteria—and it’s located in the bustling West District, near the area around Qimei Eslite. It’s perfect whether you’re looking for a place to eat and rest after walking around Qimei Greenway, or if you want to grab a meal before heading out to take photos. It’s also not far from the nearby SOGO Department Store. Plus, you can bring your pet along and have a place to sit and eat without worrying about being asked to leave. I really liked this convenient and multi-functional spot after eating here myself, and if you’re interested, you might want to add it to your list to check out.

Ziman Ke Lü Qimei Eslite │ West District
◎ Address: No. 54, Zhongcheng Street, West District, Taichung City
◎ Phone: 04-23285367
◎ Business Hours: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM + 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
◎ Note: Open all day on Saturdays and Sundays; pets are welcome

Orange Dog Loves Candy Blog　Orange Dog Loves Candy Facebook Fan Page