Free chicken soup to your heart’s content！Kaohsiung’s affordable teppanyaki spot lets you savor the original flavors of ingredients

Text and photos byShadow

Describing this place as “good wine needs no bush” couldn’t be more fitting. Most shops hope to set up in bustling areas, and you’d probably be hard-pressed to find an owner who’d want their store tucked away in such a secluded alley. As you walk down the dim and quiet street, you might easily miss it if you’re not paying close attention. The shop may keep a low profile, but business is surprisingly good. On the day we dined there, customers kept coming, and despite the space only accommodating around twelve people, people were still willing to wait. So what’s the charm? Let Shadow tell you.

The traditional way of dining at a teppanyaki restaurant is to sit around the grill in front of the chef, and this place is no exception. There’s just enough seating for ten people, plus a small two-person table.

Chef Huang doesn’t talk much; most of the time he’s focused on preparing each dish carefully. Occasionally, during cooking, he’ll ask guests if they avoid any particular ingredients—probably the only time you’ll get to chat with him.

You can choose between a set meal or à la carte. Set meals range from NT$280 to NT$350, and include a drink, salad, stir-fried seasonal vegetables, fried rice, and dessert.

All items in the set meal can also be ordered individually.

For à la carte, the meat options are divided into four categories: beef, pork, chicken, and seafood, with beef being the shop’s signature. Beef lovers should definitely give it a try.

The seasonings the chef uses are placed nearby for easy access. There aren’t many bottles and jars—most flavors come from fresh ingredients.

Table mats and utensils are already laid out when you’re seated. Even in such a small shop, every detail shows the respect given to guests.

The shop provides free burdock chicken soup that diners can enjoy unlimitedly. The soup has a light flavor with minimal seasoning.

In front of each guest’s table, the shop provides red miso paste and scallion salt—both great for pairing with meats. The scallion salt contains onions and chopped scallions, along with a bit of lemon juice, offering a salty taste with a refreshing hint of lemony acidity that’s quite appetizing.

[Fruit Yogurt Salad]

A salad made with various vegetables and fruits, drizzled with passion fruit-flavored yogurt. It’s fresh and not greasy, kicking off the meal on a light note.

[Stir-fried Chinese Cabbage]

The cabbage is cooked with goji berries, bringing out the natural sweetness of the vegetable without being too oily—simple home-style flavors that are delicious.

[Sakura Shrimp Fried Rice]

The fried rice is topped with fish roe. The chef, concerned some guests might not eat it, asked each diner individually. Soon after, the fried rice was ready—one portion per person.

Without relying on heavy seasonings, the dish lets the original flavors of the ingredients shine. The rice grains are distinct and aromatic. Though the flavor is light, the addition of fish roe gives the dish a perfect finishing touch.

Grilled Snowflake Pork 310元/set

The pork, grilled golden brown on both sides, is fresh, tender, and simply seasoned so you can enjoy the pure flavor of the meat. Eating it with garlic crisps adds more depth to the taste.

Seasonal Fish Dish 350元/set

The perch is cooked using Thai culinary techniques, with scallions, garlic, chili, and a splash of lemon juice, then wrapped in foil until cooked through.

The perch has a good thickness and tender flesh. The zesty touch of lemon juice makes it refreshing and not greasy—easy on the stomach too.

Cherry Duck Breast 180元/à la carte

You have to admire how the chef achieves that beautifully seared, caramelized finish on both sides of the duck breast. The skin is crispy while the meat stays tender, with zero fishy taste. The aroma and texture leave a lasting impression.

Pork Belly 80元/à la carte

The pork belly is pan-fried to a golden color, simply seasoned so you can enjoy the pure aroma and texture of the meat.

The chef suggested we eat the pork belly with scallions and salt, which added more layers of flavor and a refreshing taste.

[Dessert – Dorayaki]

The final dessert was dorayaki. We watched the chef pour the batter onto the iron plate, where the round batter slowly changed color over time. Then he piped in the matcha red bean filling, folded the two sides of the pancake, and it was done. The freshly made pancake was soft and fragrant, and the matcha red bean filling wasn’t overly sweet, marking a perfect end to the meal.

Jade Lemon Honey, Buckwheat & Cassia Seed Tea (hot)

There were only two drink options. Jade Lemon Honey is essentially lemon slush with a well-balanced acidity and sweetness; the buckwheat cassia seed tea is unsweetened.

The entire dining experience lasted about an hour. Watching the chef calmly prepare each dish, while enjoying the food, made the time fly by before we knew it. Since the seats face the iron grill, it’s not very conducive to chatting, so most people leave soon after eating. If there are guests waiting, they probably won’t have to wait too long.

Moving away from the traditional greasy and heavy image of teppanyaki, this place wins with the natural flavors of the ingredients, relying less on sauces, which makes it easier on the body — one of the reasons why people love coming here. Eating teppanyaki is like watching a culinary performance, adding some fun to your mealtime beyond just scrolling through your phone. The healthy flavors of teppanyaki make it great for bringing family and friends along, and I highly recommend it.

Ten Ba Ba Teppanyaki Cuisine
Address: No. 229, Rende St., Qianjin District, Kaohsiung City
Phone: 07-2210535
Business Hours: 11:00–14:00, 17:00–22:00
Closed on Wednesdays

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