Savory delights and desserts all in one go: A lazy guide to “must-try international queue-worthy foods” at Taipei Main Station

The matcha soufflé from 108 Matcha Lounge has sent matcha lovers into a frenzy. (Photo / Reporter Huang Shiyuan)

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

Taipei Main Station isn’t just a transportation hub—it’s also a paradise of food with endless options. Aside from affordable street eats in the alleys, many internationally popular eateries have set up shop around Taipei Main Station. Japanese pork cutlets, curry, ramen, desserts, Hong Kong-style dim sum, and international sandwiches are just some of the super-popular foods that have entered Taiwan in recent years. Whenever a new branch opens, huge crowds flock there, often waiting in line for hours just to get a taste. Here’s a list of“The Top 8 Must-Try International Foods at Taipei Main Station”—quickly pull out your schedule and plan when to make your pilgrimage.

[Kaneko Hannosuke]

▲ Kaneko Hannosuke, N

The Japanese brand Kaneko Hannosuke carries on a recipe dating back 300 years to the Edo period. N<饭酱汁独家秘方，超C/P值豪华天N<让店家人气红不让，不但日本当地人喜爱，近来也很受台湾旅客喜爱。

Address: 3 Beiping West Road, Zhongzheng District, Taipei City, Taipei Main Station 2F
Phone: (02) 2314-0298
Business Hours: Daily 10:00–22:00

[Ginza Anko Japanese Pork Cutlet]

▲ Ginza Anko pork cutlet, featuring juicy pork loin cutlet. (Photo / Xiongmao Rudy)

They offer a variety of pork cutlet combo sets, including main dish, salad, rice, soup, and Japanese pickles. The rice and shredded cabbage can be refilled for free. The black curry is mildly spicy and full of flavor, while the pork loin cutlet is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside—super delicious and highly recommended by many bloggers.

Address: 2F, 3 Beiping West Road, Zhongzheng District, Taipei City 100
Phone: 02 2375 5866
Business Hours: 10:00–22:00

[Lee’s Sandwiches]

▲ Lee’s Sandwiches specializes in East-meets-West French-Vietnamese sandwiches. (Photo / Huang Shiyuan)

Founded in 1983 as a food truck, Lee’s Sandwiches is now a well-known sandwich chain in the United States. It specializes in French-Vietnamese sandwiches that blend Eastern and Western flavors, with star items being the French-Vietnamese sandwich and Vietnamese coffee. Their “sandwich series” includes as many as 32 flavors.

Address: 1F, 36 Section 1, Zhongxiao West Road, Zhongzheng District, Taipei City
Phone: 02-2370-0378
Business Hours: 7:30 AM – 9:00 PM

[Semi-Sweet Cheese Tart]

▲ % Arabica (ABLO). (Photo / Huang Shiyuan)


The Japanese top-ranked, freshly baked semi-sweet cheese tart brand PABLO is known for offering a “surprising and happiness-filled” experience. Using exclusive recipes and handmade mixing techniques, their tarts are freshly baked on-site. With a uniquely developed “semi-baked” level of doneness, the filling is rich but not greasy, smooth and velvety. They’ve also launched an authentic matcha mochi red bean flavor.

Address: 1F / B1, 36 Section 1, Zhongxiao West Road, Zhongzheng District, Taipei City
Phone: 02-2370-3678


【Tim Ho Wan】

▲Tim Ho Wan was once awarded one Michelin star. (Photo / Reporter Chen Ruizhong)


▲The flaky BBQ pork buns sold an average of one every 17 seconds during the trial operation period. (Photo / Reporter Chen Ruizhong)


▲Tim Ho Wan has also launched flavors exclusive to Taiwan. (Photo / Huang Shiyuan)

Tim Ho Wan is a well-known Hong Kong-style restaurant that was once awarded one Michelin star. Its signature product, the flaky BBQ pork bun, has reached sales of 66,000 units, with an average of one sold every 17 seconds, amounting to 66,000 buns sold in a month.

Address: No. 36, Section 1, Zhongxiao West Road, Zhongzheng District, Taipei City 100
Phone: 02 2370 7078
Business Hours: 10:00–22:00

【Izumi Curry】

▲The curry sauce at Izumi Curry contains up to 15 types of natural spices, all imported from Japan. (Photo / Huang Shiyuan)

Japanese curry brand Izumi Curry, originating from Osaka, imports up to 15 types of natural spices from Japan to ensure its overseas branches maintain the same taste as the flagship store. The super thick and flavorful curry sauce is simmered for 48 hours using a large quantity of natural spices, apples, onions, ginger, bananas, honey, vegetables, wheat flour, carrots, and self-brewed beef bone broth. Each extra-large 12-ounce cheeseburger is hand-formed by skilled chefs.

Address: B3, No. 1, Section 1, Chengde Road, Datong District, Taipei City (Jing Station Flagship Store)
Phone: 02-23458199
Business Hours: Monday to Thursday 11:00–21:30, Friday and Saturday 11:00–22:00
Sunday 11:00–21:30
Facebook Page: Izumi Curry