Late-nighters’ exclusive treat: Taichung’s newly opened nostalgic and refreshing “Charcoal-Grilled Toast”

Text and photos byKuo Hsiao-sun

Recently, I’ve had this “go-getter” determination to spend more time documenting the delicious food and charming little shops in Taichung that have caught our eye~ ^__________^ / So you’re in luck—we’ll make sure you don’t go hungry following our food adventures. Feel free to share your favorite spots with us too—just send us a private message on Facebook, and we’ll feature them here XD. This “Han Pang Japanese-Style Charcoal-Grilled Toast” is another new place we discovered on Instagram. A quick check on Facebook showed it only opened in July, and the coolest part is that it’s from Tainan. Once we saw it was from Tainan, we headed straight there after work~

The Zhuxing Road area isn’t one we usually frequent. It’s close to China Medical University and Yizhong Street, though still a bit of a distance away. The most famous spot around here is probably “Xiao Yu’er Braised Chicken with Rice Wine”! “Han Pang Japanese-Style Charcoal-Grilled Toast” is tucked away in a lane here, sprouting up in the old districts of Taichung.

The business hours at “Han Pang Japanese-Style Charcoal-Grilled Toast” are super unique—they’re open from 6 PM to 2 AM, perfect for a late-night bite XD. We rode our bikes there after work one evening and noticed that the majority of customers during the post-work rush were girls. Yep, this flavor is absolutely ideal for ladies who don’t want to eat too much during these hot summer nights~

“Han Pang Japanese-Style Charcoal-Grilled Toast” has a retro Japanese vibe with traditional flavors. You can dine in or take out. The menu is refreshingly straightforward, divided into “with crust” and “without crust”! We’re all about the “no-crust” option. It’s such a thoughtful and clear distinction—you don’t have to keep double-checking with the staff. Inside the shop, a few young women work efficiently, each with their own designated tasks. Everything feels organized and runs like clockwork with clear SOPs ^__________^ /

On one side of the counter, there are shelves neatly stacked with both crustless and crust-on toast, displayed under soft, warm lighting. Just looking at the toast made us want to take a bite XD. Standing by the preparation counter, we realized the sheer amount of toast being handled—and then spotted the parked car outside, which must’ve carried at least ten takeaway orders!! So, we patiently waited our turn, which took about ten minutes. Thankfully, there were seats available for dining in, so the two of us chatted and caught up on the day’s events—it was quite a relaxing experience~

We love charcoal-grilled toast for that smoky, wood-fired aroma. It’s a traditional method that takes time, but it’s truly captivating~ That’s exactly why we had to try “Han Pang Japanese-Style Charcoal-Grilled Toast,” especially since my friend is a huge fan. Last time we were in Tainan, we missed out on Grandma Wu Miao’s charcoal-grilled toast due to dengue fever—what a bummer XD. Watching the staff expertly flip the toast, you could just imagine how hot it must be near the grill... But their dedication and attention to detail really shine through their movements. Though the shop has just opened, seeing these young women work so diligently already makes us eager to dig in :)

While waiting for our charcoal-grilled toast, they served us two cups of classic-style black tea, which perfectly soothed our wait time XD. It was cool, refreshing, and had that old-school taste—just like the tea we used to drink with mom at the market when we were kids. The sweetness was just right, between slightly sweet and half sugar. Before we knew it, our Han Pangs arrived!! When dining in, they even serve it in a special square iron pan—it’s super cute ^____________^ /

They even split the toast in half for us, so we could each try both flavors ^~^. I ordered the “Sukiyaki Beef Blossom Han Pang (with egg),” while my friend got the “Classic Ham Han Pang (with cheese).” Even as the toast was being grilled, we could already smell the ham’s aroma. And the moment it was served, our stomachs started growling from the scent alone. Both versions come with sliced cucumber, and the one with egg features a nicely grilled egg layer. We loved both flavors—the “Sukiyaki Beef Blossom Han Pang (with egg)” is neither too salty nor greasy. Each big bite gives you the rich aroma of beef belly fat, paired with the eggy flavor and the refreshing crunch of cucumber—it’s a perfect combo for beef lovers ^~^

My friend’s “Classic Ham Han Pang (with cheese)” is exactly the kind of breakfast flavor you’d crave. Did you notice this version only comes with two slices of toast, so it’s a simpler portion? But it’s precisely that simplicity and nostalgic taste that won my friend over. She was initially worried the cucumber might clash with the simple ham and toast combo, but surprisingly, it added a refreshing contrast and made every bite even more enjoyable. Each mouthful was a blend of ham, cheese, and that perfectly charred toast—it was so good she couldn’t stop eating XDXD

We’re sharing this “Han Pang Japanese-Style Charcoal-Grilled Toast” with you because it’s a brand-new spot in Taichung. If you love charcoal-grilled toast, don’t miss it—but remember, it’s only open from 6 PM to 2 AM (which might be a bit tricky for some XD). We’re sharing our latest dinner find after work ~ ^________^ /

Han Pang Japanese-Style Charcoal-Grilled Toast
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Address: No. 117, Zhuxing Road, North District, Taichung City
Phone: 0932 466 446   
Business Hours: 18:00-02:00

［Enjoy life, never boring. — Kuo Hsiao-sun］、FB