Irresistibly stringy and indulgent—evil "beef N< rice" topped with double-cheese and a hot spring egg!

Text & Photos/Little Tiger’s Dream Food Blog

In Japanese cuisine, ramen and rice dishes are representative of affordable meals, loved and consumed by many. Among rice dishes, “beef rice” is the most popular among the general public, which is why such “rice bowl” eateries — even chains — can be found everywhere in Japan. In Taiwan, especially in the Shida Night Market and Gongguan area, this “Beef Cave Rice Bowl” is especially favored by nearby students and even office workers. The reasons are simple: it’s cheap and hearty, but of course, the taste winning customer approval is the key reason it thrives here.

The beef used at “Beef Dong Canteen” comes from grain-fed cattle raised in the U.S. This two-stage feeding method results in marbling as rich as marble, yielding tender, juicy meat. During slaughter and distribution, the beef undergoes wet aging in vacuum-sealed bags, which helps maintain its pure, sweet, tender flavor during cooking!

Official Website of the U.S. Meat Export Federation:www.usbeef.org.tw

The restaurant’s decor features bright Japanese-style wooden tables and chairs, with long bench seating that can accommodate around 40 to 50 people. About 70–80% of the customers are students, and during meal times—especially lunch—you might have to wait briefly in line.

At first glance, I thought it was just plain “beef N<”, but after looking at the MENU, I realized there were actually quite a few varieties; green onion tamago, kimchi, Japanese yam, mushrooms, and even natto and mapo tofu. But what interested me the most was the “cheese beef N<”.

Just like in Japanese ramen shops, customers first buy their meal tickets from the ticket machine at the entrance.

Soup and tea are self-service. The miso soup is smooth and mild—not too salty, with a more Taiwanese-style flavor.

After ordering your noodles, you can upgrade to a combo meal by paying extra; the options are an 80 RMB “kimchi + black tea” combo, or a 110 RMB combo of blanched greens + pomelo-flavored green tea. The kimchi is slightly spicy and tangy, quite tasty, and the pomelo green tea is smooth without being overly astringent. Unfortunately, it seems you can't mix and match these combos like that. XD.

Cheese Beef N< 190 yuan

It’s topped with a generous layer of double cheese that looks incredibly indulgent, and it even comes with an equally tempting “hot spring egg.”

Cheese, hot spring egg, and beef N<—it looks appetizing and makes you hungry just thinking about it... especially for someone like me who loves “emulsified” and “silky” textures.

Thanks to the generous amount of cheese, when you scoop it up with a spoon, it stretches into long, silky strands. You can also feel a slight resistance from the spoon, showing its elasticity. As expected, it’s delightfully gooey, soft, melty, and sticky—extremely satisfying. The hot spring egg yolk, cheese, and beef create a trio of sweetness that lingers on your palate. The beef N<'s sauce is on the lighter side, or you could say the flavor isn’t too heavy, not too sweet or salty. The portion of rice is also quite generous, and it’s well-cooked.

For my second bowl, I had originally wanted to try the new flavor: “Mapo Beef N<”, but someone said they wanted to have the “Japanese yam” option, so....

Japanese Yam & Egg Beef N< 220 yuan

The exterior is coated with a thick layer of mashed yam, with a middle layer of chopped scallions—so much so that you can barely see the generous beef beneath.

It comes with a hot spring egg too, which oozes out decadently... The combination of the real egg yolk and yam mash feels smoother, and the texture is less heavy or cloying. Though not as bold in flavor as the cheese version, it’s much better for your health, XD.

The delicate yam mash has a slightly sticky texture, while the egg yolk tastes unusually sweet. The natural sweetness of the beef also stands out more, and you can even detect a hint of sweetness from the simmered onions. Whether it’s the yam or the cheese, I love them both—especially when mixed with delicious rice. It’s hearty, filling, and incredibly satisfying.

Croquette – 50 TWD

The coating is a bit thick but nice and crispy. The mashed potato is very fine, almost a bit soft, and the sweetness is quite good.

Thick-Cut Pork Cutlet – 130 TWD

At 130 TWD, it’s definitely cut pretty thick, with not much fat. The texture is hearty and solid, with decent tenderness and sweetness. At least it’s worth the price. The coating is fried to a crispy yet slightly crunchy finish—best eaten while hot.

Beef Dong Canteen
Address: No. 277, Section 3, Roosevelt Road, Da’an District, Taipei City (1F, Roosevelt Building)
Phone: 02-2365-0222
Business Hours: 11:30–21:30

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