Have you tried the New York breakfast queen yet? 7 new restaurants that opened in Greater Taipei in May

Tourism Center / Comprehensive Report

The Taipei food scene never runs short of new restaurants. Among those newly opened in May are Sarabeth’s, known as the “New York breakfast queen,” the Japanese cuisine restaurant Marubonjin operated by Breeze Group, Shangri-La’s Far Eastern Plaza Taipei’s Moon View Restaurant, Dajiamen Duck Head Dry Pot’s Taipei Dunhua branch expanding from Kaohsiung, Taiwan’s first “ball steak” restaurant “Oh My Stone,” and the French-Asian fusion restaurant Tasteré. Each has its own distinctive style.


▲ Sarabeth’s classic benedict. (Photo / Huang Shih-yuan)

Sarabeth's
Sarabeth’s, known as the “New York breakfast queen,” finally opened its first store in Taiwan on May 31 at B1 of SOGO Dunhua. It has its own independent entrance and exit, allowing it to operate without being restricted by the department store’s hours — opening at 9 AM. This was also a key location requirement insisted upon by founder Sarabeth Levine. As for the menu, the signature classic benedict is priced at NT$360, and with a 10% service charge, it comes to just under NT$400. Meanwhile, the French toast is listed at NT$480, which goes over NT$500 after the service charge.

Address: B1, 246 Section 1, Dunhua S. Rd., Taipei City (Pacific SOGO Dunhua)


▲ The nigiri sushi in Marubonjin’s Honjin set meal, with the one on the far left being the highly regarded tuna belly nigiri. (Photo / Huang Shih-yuan)

Marubonjin
Operated by Breeze Group, the Japanese restaurant Marubonjin finally began soft operations on May 18 after six months of preparation. The head chef is Tsuyoshi Iwaki, who trained under Tokyo’s renowned Edomae-style sushi institution Tsukiji Sushi Iwa and brings 20 years of experience. Chef Iwaki said he hopes Marubonjin can offer Taiwanese customers authentic and delicious Japanese cuisine. Located on the 45th floor of Breeze XinYi, the restaurant offers daytime views of blue skies and green mountains, and evening sights of Taipei’s beautiful city lights — making it the highest-altitude Japanese restaurant in all of Taiwan.

Address: 45F, 68 Section 5, Zhongxiao E. Rd., Xinyi District, Taipei City (Breeze 45)
Phone: 02-6639-7786


▲ Moon View Restaurant’s dim sum — the shrimp goldfish dumpling looks incredibly lifelike. (Photo / Huang Shih-yuan)

Moon View Restaurant
Located on the 48th floor of the Taipei City’s tallest building, the Banyan Building near Banqiao’s FE21’ Mega, Moon View Restaurant features window-side tables offering stunning day and night views. There are three private and secluded rooms: Banqiao Hall (24 people), Fuchung Hall (12 people), and Nanya Hall (10 people), along with other regular seating for a total of 100 guests. The restaurant specializes in Cantonese cuisine with some Sichuan and Hunan influences. Each dish starts at NT$280, while five different set meals range from NT$1,000 to NT$4,800 per person. For lunch, the restaurant also serves refined Hong Kong-style dim sum starting at NT$120 per piece. It officially opened on May 24.

Address: 48F, Banyan Building, 16 Xinzhan Rd., Banqiao District, New Taipei City
Phone: 02-7705-9700

Kumamon-themed Japanese Restaurant
Another Kumamon-themed restaurant has arrived in Taiwan. Back in 2015, the Kumamon-themed café caused a huge sensation and thrilled Taiwanese fans. This time, the Kumamon-themed restaurant “KUMA Sushi” focuses on Japanese seafood cuisine, with a menu featuring six different types of...<饭，常见的生鲑鱼N<饭、?N<、散蛋N<、大腹N<、鲑鱼亲子N<、三色N<。

Address: No. 6, Lane 222, Section 2, Dunhua N. Rd., Taipei City
Phone: 02-8712-5353


▲ The popular Kaohsiung restaurant Dajiamen Duck Head Dry Pot is now open in Taipei. (Photo / From Dajiamen Duck Head Dry Pot - Taipei Dunhua Facebook)

Dajiamen Duck Head Dry Pot Taipei Dunhua Branch
The popular Kaohsiung restaurant Dajiamen Duck Head Dry Pot has expanded northward to Taipei. Fans of duck head dry pot in Taipei are in luck — the Dajiamen Taipei Dunhua branch started operations on May 7. In addition to the original duck head dry pot, there is also a dry pot with red dates as an option. After finishing the duck head dry pot, diners can add the broth to a spicy hotpot base and throw in vegetables, seafood, lamb, or beef for a second delicious way to enjoy the meal.

Address: No. 8, Lane 232, Section 1, Dunhua S. Rd., Taipei City
Phone: 02-8772-1447


▲ The ball steak, a hit in Japan and Korea, is coming to Taiwan. (Photo / Provided by Oh My Stone)

Oh! My Stone
Taiwan’s first “ball steak” restaurant “Oh My Stone” opened on May 21. This is part of a recent food trend originating in Fukuoka, Japan, and Seoul, South Korea — using a high-temperature black stone cast iron ball to directly sear burger patties shaped into balls. It offers a brand-new experience combining yakitori and stone-grilled flavors, and lets diners enjoy a DIY fun element. The ball steak and other ingredients are served on a regular iron plate, but the highlight is the heated black stone ball, heated up to 500 degrees Celsius. Diners place the ground meat directly on the ball to grill, and one ball can cook about one serving of ball steak.

Address: No. 16, Lane 6, Alley 553, Section 4, Zhongxiao E. Rd., Taipei City (near Taipei City Hall MRT Station & Songshan Cultural and Creative Park)
Phone: 02-2769-5757

Taïrroir Taï Cuisine French Restaurant
Presents the culinary ethos of Taiwan’s new generation, blending ingredients, terroir, and attitude in its dishes.

Address: 6F, No. 299, Lequn 3rd Rd., Taipei City
Phone: 02-8501-5500