By Li Xinyi, compiled and reported
The roundabout on Nanjing West Road was once a shared memory for Taipei residents. After two major fires, its management changed hands multiple times, yet the results never quite met expectations. Today (the 9th), Taipei Roundabout has reopened under the leadership of media mogul Yu Hsiang, who took over the Jiancheng Roundabout with an investment of tens of millions to rebuild it from the ground up. Embracing the roundabout’s original concepts of “park” and “gastronomy,” it now offers state banquet cuisine by Chef Ah Chung and hosts organic lifestyle businesses, paving the way for a new future for the roundabout.
The reopened Taipei Roundabout features state banquet cuisine designed by Chef Ah Chung, originally priced at over NT$10,000, now available at a promotional price of NT$6,000. (Photo / ScenicSpots.com Li Xinyi)
The redesigned roundabout was created by Lan Mike, who has won multiple design awards at the Taipei Flower Expo. He incorporated green living concepts throughout, including overcoming the transparency issues of the glass curtain walls by transforming them into a natural greenhouse. The exterior walls are lined with 500 trees, creating a forest-like moat that buffers the hustle and bustle of traffic, allowing customers enjoying coffee or meals to leisurely admire the greenery through the glass. Inside the first-floor lobby, the remnants of a Japanese-era air-raid water storage tank have been revitalized with flowing fountains and planted with over ten species of native Taiwanese plants. He also noted that an organic produce market will be held here every Saturday, where visitors can shop for organic fruits and vegetables while admiring thoughtfully designed floral displays.
The Japanese-era water storage tank has been preserved, refilled with fresh water, and planted with native Taiwanese flora. (Photo / ScenicSpots.com Li Xinyi)
Culinary excellence is also a key highlight of the reopened roundabout. Chef Ah Chung, dedicated to preserving Taiwanese cuisine, has set up shop here, serving high-value state banquet-level dishes. A twelve-course meal originally valued at over NT$10,000 is now available for just NT$6,000, featuring items such as Spanish paella with grilled king crab, Taiwanese clams in "Thousand-Hand Guanyin" style, and drunken shrimp in Shaoxing wine. Beyond the state banquet offerings, new tenants include Bean’s Flavor, Frog Café, Mido Lee Ice Cream, and Prince Star Tea Time, all emphasizing natural, eco-friendly, and interactive experiences to jointly shape the roundabout’s new image.
Once a cherished foodie destination for Taipei residents, the roundabout’s reopening has everyone watching closely to see how it evolves. (Photo / ScenicSpots.com Li Xinyi)
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