Late-night Japanese Izakaya: Seafood Okonomiyaki with Shrimp, Squid, and Mayonnaise

Text & Photos /San Gao Eats China

There are two branches of Flavor Noodle. One serves grilled meat at Yakiniku Market, and the other is an izakaya-style teppanyaki spot diagonally across from Hizenya. Compared to the long queue at Hizenya around dinner time (6–7 PM), this place is almost deserted, making it a more relaxing spot where you don’t have to squeeze with the crowds.

Inside, the seating is arranged in an L-shape with Formosa-style counter seats, perfect for solo diners. There were two mothers (the owners, presumably) and what seemed like their helping daughter (?), all creating a gentle atmosphere. It wasn’t until after 7 PM that customers started coming in, and later a Japanese couple sat next to us — they seemed like regulars.

The menu mostly features individual teppanyaki items, most priced between NT$200–400, as well as pre-cooked okonomiyaki and set meals for two at around NT$1,500.

We started with a freshly squeezed lemon sour — tangy and refreshing, perfect for whetting the appetite.

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This dish is said to be popular and relatively pricey. The grilled beef slices are served on a bed of thinly sliced raw onions, a few spoonfuls of sauce, and sprinkled with chopped green onions, making for an attractive presentation.

The beef was cooked just right — tender and juicy, with decent meaty flavor. However, the saltiness and the tanginess of the Japanese-style sauce were quite strong. It had a bold taste, so balancing it with the sweet onions helped. It pairs well with rice or drinks — I should’ve ordered a bowl of plain rice.

The okonomiyaki is brushed with sauce, topped with mayonnaise, and then swirled with a spatula to create texture. Bonito flakes are also provided for you to sprinkle on yourself.

The thin batter and finely chopped cabbage make it light and fluffy. The seafood flavor comes through with bits of shrimp and squid — it’s pretty good. Best shared between two; eating a whole one is a bit much due to the heavy sauce.

Served are four scallops with their mantles and orange roe, paired with some shredded cabbage salad — very Japanese in style.

The small dollop of seasoning sauce on top is salty and fragrant, somewhat reminiscent of a basil-based sauce (?). I especially liked the charred aroma from the grilling, and the roe had a smooth texture and nice flavor. The sweetness of the scallop muscle itself was moderate.

When we checked out, we realized there was probably a 10% service charge. On weekdays during lunch hours, they also offer affordable yakiniku meals.<，好像不错可惜我没啥机会吃到阿...

Flavor Noodle Japanese Teppanyaki Izakaya
Address: No. 24, Lane 121, Section 1, Zhongshan North Road, Zhongshan District, Taipei City
Business Hours: 6:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Phone: 02-25232505

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