Affordable Japanese Canteen in Dazhi Alley – Juicy Japanese-Style Hamburgers

Text and photos byOld K

On Saturday afternoon, I went to see *Sherlock Holmes: The Abominable Bride* with Meijie at Miramar Mega Mall in Dazhi. After the movie around 5 PM, we originally planned to grab a quick bite at the mall, but since we had just eaten at Café&Meal MUJI last time and didn’t feel like trying another new place, we decided to explore the area near Shih Chien University.

We’d dined at this Daming Canteen two years ago—it was very busy back then and left a pretty good impression on us. Maybe because it was Election Day, there weren’t many customers yet, so we thought we’d revisit it for a nostalgic meal.

Being located in a school district, their prices are quite reasonable. Except for items like sashimi and grilled fish, most dishes are under NT$200. We placed our orders and waited for the food to arrive.

Cucumber & Kelp Vinegar (NT$50)

At first, Old K picked up a piece of cucumber to eat—it was crispy, sweet, and slightly tangy, not overly strong in flavor. But when he noticed the sauce underneath and mixed it in, he realized just how sour it was, XD. Still, it worked really well as an appetite stimulant. The kelp sprouts were lightly soaked, so they still had some bite and a rich oceanic flavor. It’s a great appetizer, though Old K can handle sour flavors pretty well—if you’re not a big fan of acidity, this one might not be for you, XD.

Mentaiko Miscellany (NT$180)

It’s basically mentaiko porridge.

You can see a small spoonful of mentaiko.

After mixing it in, the mentaiko disappeared, XD—its color turned similar to white sesame seeds. The dish ended up tasting a lot like oyako donburi.<，甜咸甜咸的，味道差不多，只是变成粥了，美姬她还满喜欢的，老K觉得还不错，不过波菜会有一点点的土味。

Teriyaki Chicken Leg (NT$120)

The chicken leg was fairly tender and tasted decent, but it was your typical teriyaki flavor—nothing particularly special. Unless you’re a huge fan of grilled chicken legs, it’s not a must-order.

Salt-Grilled Chicken Wings (NT$55)

Old K thought the shape the chicken wings were cut into was a bit odd, XD—but that’s beside the point. The important thing is, these wings were delicious. The skin was super crispy, the meat was tender and springy, and with just salt and simple seasonings, the natural flavor of the chicken really shone through. Both Old K and Meijie really liked these wings.

Japanese-Style Hamburger Steak (with Rice) (NT$150)

Comes with steamed white rice and a bowl of miso soup.

The sauce on the Japanese-style hamburger steak was somewhat similar to the mushroom gravy you get with steak, but it was milder and slightly sweeter—actually, it paired quite well with the burger patty.

It wasn’t dry and had a nice juicy bounce to it. While it can’t compare to famous spots like Nagoya Daidokoro, for the price, it was pretty solid. They gave a generous portion of shredded cabbage, and the mashed potato salad was soft and smooth. The miso soup was just average, but overall, it was a great deal.

Old K’s Little Tips: There’s a reason Daming Canteen is always busy. Not long after we started eating, it gradually filled up—maybe everyone only came out to eat after seeing the election results, XD. It’s a reasonably priced Japanese eatery with a wide selection and a decent level of taste. Meijie came here again later, and she said none of the dishes disappointed—everything was consistently good. If you’re looking for affordable Japanese food next time, Daming Canteen is definitely worth considering.

Old K’s Personal Ratings (out of 10, higher is better)
Taste: 8/10
Value: 8/10
Dining Ambience: 6/10
Price: 8/10

Daming Canteen
Facebook Page:https://zh-tw.facebook.com/TaminsPlace/
Address: No. 23, Lane 6, Alley 621, Beian Rd., Taipei City
Phone: 02-2532-2007
Business hours: 11:30–14:00, 17:00–21:00

Lao K
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