You're behind the times if you haven't gone on a food pilgrimage yet—here are 2016’s top 5 must-visit firsts in Taiwan

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

It’s only been a little over four months into 2016, but Taiwan has already welcomed a slew of new restaurants. The food search websiteOpenRicehas specially compiled a list of five eateries that have foodies raving, lining up for ages just to try them—these are the must-visit restaurants of 2016, and not just any new spots, but the “first branches ever to open in all of Taiwan”! Haven’t eaten at these five restaurants yet and snapped a photo to show off? Bookmark this list and head out this weekend right away.

▲ Mighty Quinn's Barbeque (Photo /OpenRice TaiwanAll images from same source)

【Mighty Quinn's Barbeque】 New York’s most popular BBQ restaurant
New York’s most popular BBQ restaurant, “Mighty Quinn's Barbeque,” along with its first overseas branch in the Greater New York area, officially opened on the 18th of this month. For the main course, Mighty Quinn offers Texas-style BBQ favorites such as beef brisket, short ribs, and dinosaur ribeye steaks, as well as North Carolina-style BBQ staples including pulled pork and pork ribs. There’s also a selection of other options such as smoked sausages, roast chicken halves, and spicy smoked wings.

Chef Hugh, drawing on his experience working at Michelin-starred restaurants, has also created a variety of delicious sides, including earthenware pot mashed sweet potatoes, buttermilk broccoli salad, grilled baked beans, and an exclusive edamame and green bean salad that you’ll want to savor again and again. Paired with a selection of exclusively imported craft beers and authentic American handmade sodas, you can enjoy big bites of meat alongside the pleasure of hearty drinks.

Address: No. 109, Section 4, Ren’ai Road, Da’an District, Taipei City
Phone: 02-27726174
Business hours: 11:30–23:00

▲ PABLO.

【PABLO】 Japan’s No. 1 freshly baked semi-melted cheese tart
Having sold over 2,000 cheese tarts in a single day and averaging one sale every seven seconds, Japan’s beloved golden legend of the dessert world—“PABLO,” the No. 1 freshly baked semi-melted cheese tart brand—has opened its first Taiwan branch in the food mall “HOYII Taipei Main Station” in the Taipei Railway Station commercial district, operating as both a dine-in and takeout location.

The “freshly baked semi-melted cheese tart” is made using an exclusive recipe and hand-mixed technique, with a unique “semi-melted” baking level that creates an unprecedented filling texture with rich, non-greasy, velvety smooth cheese flavor. The “freshly baked matcha azuki bean white bean semi-melted cheese tart” adds imported cheese, Uji matcha powder, red bean paste, and white beans blended by hand, balancing the sweetness of the cheese with the bitterness of matcha and the layered textures of the red bean and white beans.

Address: No. 36, Section 1, Zhongxiao West Road, Zhongzheng District, Taipei City (HOYII Taipei Main Station)
Phone: 02-23703678
Business hours: Dine-in store 11:00–22:00, Takeout store 10:00–22:00

▲ Yaba Miso Pork Cutlet.

【Yaba Miso Pork Cutlet】 A long-established pork cutlet shop from Nagoya, Japan
Anyone who’s visited Nagoya will remember the 75-year-old local favorite “Yaba Miso Pork Cutlet,” known for its unique sauce texture paired with crispy, tender fried pork cutlets—once you try it, you’ll be hooked. The secret to Yaba’s deliciousness lies in its daily selection of locally sourced fresh pork, bread crumbs flown in from Japan, Yaba’s secret miso sauce, and a variety of carefully chosen fresh ingredients.
OpenRice recommended must-order dish: 【Iron Plate Miso Lean Pork Cutlet Set Meal】—the lean pork (small tenderloin) is the most tender part of the cutlet. A sizzling iron plate is topped with golden, slightly crisp shredded cabbage and a tender, juicy lean pork cutlet, and when the signature secret miso sauce is drizzled on, the rich aroma is simply irresistible.

Address: No. 171, Section 2, Xinyi Road, Zhongzheng District, Taipei City 1
Phone: 02-23418810
Business hours: 11:00 – 21:30 (Closed Mondays)

▲ Kongling One Chicken.

【Kongling One Chicken】 A must-try local dish when traveling in Korea
The ultra-popular Korean dish you must try when visiting Korea, "Kongneung One Chicken," features tender, melt-in-your-mouth meat paired with a sweet and savory broth — a true taste of authentic Korean cuisine. As the name suggests, "One Chicken" means cooking an entire chicken in the broth. When served, the staff will help you cut the chicken into pieces. Once the soup has infused the flavors, you can dig in and enjoy it to your heart’s content. The melt-in-your-mouth texture of the meat combined with the sweet broth leaves many craving more. You can also customize the flavor by adding gochujang (Korean chili paste), minced garlic, or kimchi to the pot according to your taste.

There are many ways to enjoy the chicken in Kongneung One Chicken. Aside from eating it as is to savor the tender meat, you can also dip it in a specially made spicy and sour sauce for added flavor. The three most recommended new combinations for enjoying Kongneung One Chicken are “crispy shredded napa cabbage + chicken,” “broth-rich green onion slices + chicken,” and “green onion slices + chicken, then dipped in the special sauce.” Any of these combinations are absolutely delicious.

Address: No. 14, Lane 83, Section 1, Da’an Road, Da’an District, Taipei City
Phone: 02-27818181
Business Hours: 11:00–22:30

▲KUA 'AINA BURGERS.

【KUA 'AINA BURGERS】 Hawaii’s Famous Obama Burger
Anyone who has been to Hawaii has surely heard of “KUA 'AINA BURGERS.” This burger joint, nicknamed the "Obama burger" by locals, boasts the title of “the world’s best burger” and has remained unbeatable in Hawaii. There’s no mystery why — it’s so delicious that even U.S. President Barack Obama makes a point to visit whenever he returns to Hawaii.

At “KUA 'AINA BURGERS,” every burger is made to order. The burgers are packed with plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. Not only are the patties thick, but the veggies are sliced thick as well. Their signature “Avocado Burger” even features super thick slices of avocado. Each burger patty is grilled over charcoal, and the charred onions and vegetables, together with the acidity of the avocado and pineapple, balance out the flavors with their sweetness and tang. This creates a juicy, meaty bite that’s also nutritionally balanced.

Address: 2F, No. 356, Section 1, Culture 3rd Road, Linkou District, New Taipei City (MITSUI OUTLET PARK Linkou)
Phone: 02-26068663
Business Hours: 11:00–21:30 (open until 22:00 on Fridays and Saturdays) – These are the operating hours of MITSUI OUTLET PARK Linkou.