Taiwanese-Italian bistro in Tainan！Specializes in crispy “Roman pizza”

Text & Photos／Mimi Han

Recently, I had a delicious "Neapolitan" pizza at a specialty shop in the East District, which reminded me of this place on Zhongyi Road that serves "Roman" pizza, 【Chi Chi Chi Hsin】. It’s not that I want to compare, but it just made me want to come back here again. This Italian wine bar and restaurant, renovated from an old house, has a relaxed atmosphere and great flavors that I really enjoy. If you like dishes that are closer to authentic Italian tastes, it’s quite a unique choice.

Every time I step through the door, my eyes are always drawn first to the counter. Mimi loves the nostalgic vibe exuded by the red brick wall and wooden beams, paired with Italian country-style decor. The space isn’t over-the-top—just cozy and comfortable.

Previously, it was quite crowded at lunchtime, but recently, perhaps due to the mosquitoes, there have been slightly fewer people. Hahaha, though I feel a bit bad saying that about the shop, it’s actually not a bad thing—it brings back that slow, unhurried dining atmosphere. Otherwise, if you’re waiting in line outside and then eat too slowly, it might feel a bit guilty XD

For Italians, there are four important purposes in life. The first is "to eat well," and as for the other three… no one knows yet... (such a laid-back people). The shop has a very free vibe—you can come with family or a group of friends and order a big table of dishes, or each person can just get a drink or some wine along with a small Italian snack, enjoying the relaxed feel of the wine bar.

The most special thing about 【Chi Chi Chi Hsin】 is its huge display of Italian snacks—a variety of small bites or home-style dishes from all over Italy, kind of like the street food of Tainan. There’s seafood, desserts, vegetarian options, but most are meat-based. The selection often changes, so even visiting two or three times, you’ll likely see different dishes.

By the way, the owner is really good at baking cakes—not just pretty, but also delicious. Many neighbors and customers even specially ask her to make them. She laughed and said that business has been slower recently, so she has more free time to make some for the customers.

For an appetizer, we ordered a mozzarella salad, which is basically an Italian tomato and cheese salad, made with tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil. It’s a traditional Italian dish, and I heard it’s almost essential as a starter there. The cheese isn’t overly rich, so it doesn’t overpower the sweetness of the tomatoes, and the freshness of the basil makes it refreshing and quite tasty!

Fruit sparkling drink—I really like this one. It has apple, blueberry, passion fruit... and it also helps supplement some fruit and veggie nutrients. Especially since Tainan is still quite hot, this drink feels really refreshing~

Hahaha, this little snack is called... meatballs. It’s really simple and straightforward XD. I heard meatball stew is a home-cooked dish every Italian mom knows how to make, made with pork and bread soaked in milk. It’s a bit like our lion’s head meatballs, served with a tomato-based sauce and herbs for aroma. It’s pretty good.

Apple chicken roll—the grilled chicken retains some juiciness and bounce, and inside is a sweet apple slice, adding extra layers of flavor to the usual grilled chicken.

This time, I noticed they’ve adjusted their snack offerings quite a bit. The overall quantity is reduced, keeping only the more popular ones and those that are safer in taste for Taiwanese diners. That’s actually not a bad thing—it significantly lowers the chance of getting something you don’t like and regret ordering.

The strength of 【Chi Chi Chi Hsin】 is their Roman pizza. Mimi personally really likes their flavor. This time, I ordered the “Herb Pork Belly,” which is a slightly heavier option—it’s quite good. In the past, I used to worry about having less topping, but later I realized that except for chains like Pizza Hut or Domino’s, many pizzerias that focus on pizza actually have fewer toppings. It’s meant to let you enjoy the flavor of the crust.

Their pizza has a thin, crispy crust on the outside and a softer middle, while Neapolitan pizza is more chewy. For the same amount of dough, Roman-style pizzas tend to be bigger, while Neapolitan ones are smaller, and pizzas overloaded with toppings lean more toward the Taiwanese style. Each has its pros and cons—just go with what suits your taste.

Italian braised beef short ribs. According to the staff, the beef is first pan-fried and then slow-baked in the oven for nearly five hours. It’s time-consuming and labor-intensive, but regardless of the process, the beef is tender and flavorful. The sauce is rich, sweet, and tangy, with a strong aroma—but it’s not greasy, and it pairs well with a little wine or a sparkling drink.

【Chi Chi Chi Hsin】 is also an Italian restaurant, but its flavors differ quite a bit from typical pasta dishes. Though the prices are a bit higher, aside from the pizza, Mimi also likes the wide selection of different Italian snacks. That’s part of the fun of dining here. Also, this time I got to chat a bit with the owner, who seems to have really traveled all over Italy and knows all kinds of regional specialties like the back of her hand. Getting to know a place through its food—that seems to have a curious similarity with Tainan. It was a great dining experience~

Chi Chi Chi Hsin Italian Wine Bar
Address: No. 39, Section 1, Zhongyi Road, Tainan City
Phone: 06-2136377
FB Fan Page:https://www.facebook.com/ciaoitalylife

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