One-second trip to Japan: A hidden oden shop in a Taichung residential home

Text & Photos /Daku

Enjoy richly authentic Japanese-style oden without leaving Taiwan Up！"Lantern Ghost Oden," located on Chengdu Road in Taichung’s West District, is tucked away in a residential area. From its name and decor to its ingredients, the shop is brimming with Japanese charm, giving visitors the illusion of hopping overseas in an instant！

"Lantern Ghost Oden" not only offers a wide variety of ingredients at affordable prices, but also lets you enjoy different textures of oden—both locally made in Taiwan and imported from Japan—in one go. There are also Japanese sodas and sake available to pair with your meal. The broth and sauces are all homemade, giving the dish a unique flavor. Best of all, the soup base is free to enjoy. On a night out, grab a few skewers of oden and sip some broth—it's a simple yet deeply satisfying experience！(Under 18s, please do not drink alcohol)

● ETNEWS News Cloud reminds you: Don’t drink and drive. Drive sober.

%The shop is located on Chengdu Road in Taichung’s West District, nestled within a quiet neighborhood. Because it only opens at night, it has a mysterious vibe.

%The owner says that the combination of grilled skewers and rich broth looks very appealing！

%The broth here has a rich aroma and is quite thick.

%The interior decoration is also very stylish, giving off a refined vibe.

%The shop is actually quite large, with a fairly spacious dining area.

%Some customers say the food comes out pretty quickly.

%Here, you can choose between original and spicy broth flavors. Aside from enjoying the oden, you can also savor the fragrant broth. As the weather gets colder, a warm bowl of soup is truly delightful！

%The serving style here is to cook the skewers right when you order them. Customers can also choose how well-done they want their food. It’s recommended not to order too much at once, as the freshness of the just-cooked oden is part of the experience！

%The shop also offers a variety of other snacks, many of which are similar to what you’d find at an izakaya. It’s perfect for those who want to enjoy drinks with their meal.

%There’s even a small private room at the back. Those looking for a more intimate space might want to consider it！

%The walls are decorated with lots of Japanese-style illustrations. Among them are pictures of the shop’s interior, the oden skewers, and even some nighttime scenes. They give off a cozy vibe.

%There’s a menu posted at the entrance with lots of photos and descriptions of the oden. First-timers or those unsure what to order can use it as a reference！

%The shop also has a self-service drink station with options like 9 NT unlimited refills on Coca-Cola, Sprite, and Minute Maid juices—a perfect choice for those of us who love beverages！(Under 18s, please do not drink alcohol)

● ETNEWS News Cloud reminds you: Don’t drink and drive. Drive sober.

%The prices are quite reasonable, ranging from around 20 to 40 NT. Aside from Taiwanese-made oden ingredients, there are also many imported from Japan. Plus, if you’re in the mood for veggies, meat, or carbs, they’ve got you covered！

%The must-try item is the grilled skewers—they’re juicy and flavorful, and there are also some Japanese beers, ciders, and fruity drinks. There are plenty of choices, and it’s great for those who want a drink to go with their meal！(Under 18s, please do not drink alcohol)

● ETNEWS News Cloud reminds you: Don’t drink and drive. Drive sober.

%The broth is freshly prepared and offers options like clear and miso. They’re all made in-house.

%If you don’t eat spicy food, you can choose the non-spicy broth. Especially in winter, the hot broth is super comforting.

%The grilled skewers are especially tasty when hot, with a smoky aroma that many people love.

%Additionally, you can customize your order by choosing your preferred level of spice or sauce. You can tailor it to your own taste.

%The shop also offers cold drinks. There’s also a self-serve soda fountain. Just help yourself once you’ve ordered.

%The atmosphere here is very cozy, and the food is photogenic. It’s a great spot for taking pictures！

% The broth here has a nice pork bone aroma, and you can clearly see that the ingredients used are super fresh. The mushrooms look especially plump, and the radish is also quite thick. There’s even a whole piece of dried tofu on the side, and the tofu skin is yellowish, making it feel very homemade. The pork belly slices are not too thick, and they’re not overly greasy either. The soy eggs are placed together with the pork belly, and their flavor is nicely infused. The pickled mustard greens are also not overly sour, and the pork intestines are quite clean and not overly fishy.

% In addition, there are also some seasonal mushrooms, and the side vegetables are separately arranged, which makes it feel super generous!

% Each bowl can also be customized, and you can choose different ingredients to add in.

% The soup base is clear but still rich, and it contains a good amount of pork, along with a lot of carrots and green vegetables, all made with natural ingredients. It gives off a very natural umami taste, and in the morning,

% the clear pork bone broth pairs really well with the soft and chewy rice noodles. The texture is smooth, and the flavors are well-balanced, making it very comforting to eat.

% The minced pork topping (¥0), by the way, is also homemade by the shop owner. It’s not overly greasy, with a higher proportion of lean meat, and it has a delicious sweet-salty flavor. It’s tasty even on its own!

% The peach soda (¥20) is also imported from Japan. It has a hint of peach aroma, with a light bubbly texture, not too sweet, and the refreshing taste is perfect for those who don’t drink alcohol.

% You can also add a spoonful of spicy beef tendon (¥30), spicy liver (¥30), golden fish balls (¥25), beef tendons (¥40), all in spicy flavors!

% The beef tendon has a bouncy texture that feels like it’s dancing in your mouth. Paired with the spicy broth, it tastes even better. The beef tendon isn’t the type that melts in your mouth but retains some elasticity and chewiness, which becomes more flavorful the more you chew with the spicy broth. The liver has a slight numbing spiciness, with a firm and elastic texture, making it quite suitable for drinking. The beef brisket is thick and chewy, and paired with the fragrant, slightly spicy and numbing broth, it enhances the aroma, giving the illusion of eating spicy beef noodle soup.

% This set meal includes things like pork belly (¥5), Matsusaka pork (¥40), braised pork intestines (¥30), duck meatballs (¥15), corn (¥15), golden purses (¥25), red crab leg meat (¥25), and fried scallops (¥15). Every item looks super delicious!

% The duck meatballs are very juicy and not greasy at all. They pair really well with the pickled mustard greens.

% The Matsusaka pork is very tender and smooth, with a nice popping texture, and it tastes even better with the slightly spicy and sweet miso sauce.

% The pickled mustard greens are a bit sour and spicy, but they complement the broth really well. There’s also a lot of them in the bowl.

% The pork balls are really springy. They not only have a nice texture but are also delicious on their own or with the miso sauce.

% The tofu skin has a nice silky texture. When eaten, it feels smooth and tender, and it’s delicious no matter how you dip it in the miso sauce XD

% The dried tofu is soft yet has a good chew. The outside has a nice golden color, and inside it’s very tender. It’s really appetizing when eaten.

% The vegetables like bamboo shoots (¥5), white radish (¥15), and baby bok choy (¥20) have a natural sweetness and freshness, and they taste even sweeter and smoother when paired with the rich broth.

% The bamboo shoots are cut into diamond shapes, and the variety of ingredients is quite rich.

% I asked about what other Japanese broth options they have besides the ones mentioned. The butterfish tofu (¥0) and cod tofu (¥40) are both quite unique in both appearance and texture.

% The cod tofu is very soft and tender. The tofu has a lot of umami, and it pairs really well with the broth.

% The butterfish is not too oily, and when paired with the cod, it adds a nice aroma. The texture is smooth and slippery, making it very enjoyable to eat.

% The fish balls (¥5) are also made with imported Japanese ingredients. Compared to regular fish sausages, they’re firmer, springier, and more elastic, with great freshness.

% The konjac is quite chewy, and when paired with the miso sauce, it becomes even sweeter and more flavorful.

% The tofu pudding (¥0) is served in a ceramic bowl to prevent it from being too hot to hold. It’s really thoughtful!

% The condiments include vinegar, chili oil, and other seasonings. They look very appetizing.

% The fish cakes have a nice chew and are very flavorful. They’re not only delicious on their own but also pair well with the other textures in the bowl.

% We also ordered a few more classic Taiwanese items at the end, like pig’s blood cake (¥5), rice blood (¥10/spicy), and fish cake rolls (¥10/spicy). It felt like we needed some traditional Taiwanese fish cake rolls and rice blood to complete the meal.

% The rice blood has a nice bounce to it, and when paired with the miso sauce, it’s a perfect match. It’s sweet, fragrant, and the chewy texture gets more delicious the more you chew.

% The pig’s blood cake has a nice chewy texture and a rice aroma. The full and elastic mouthfeel is really lovely.

% The fish cake rolls have a nice bounce, and the flavor isn’t too overwhelming. The other textures in the bowl complement each other very well.

“Lantern Ghost Oden” not only offers an elegant and cozy atmosphere, adorned with lanterns and Japanese knick-knacks that create a strong Japanese vibe, but also boasts a diverse menu. From the broth and ingredients to the sauces, everything is meticulously prepared—you can even enjoy imported Japanese ingredients paired with Japanese drinks and sake, making you feel as if you’re right in Japan. The broth comes in two versions: original and spicy. I personally prefer their spicy broth, with its fragrant, numbing, and mildly spicy flavor that’s simply irresistible. Adding miso sauce takes it to another level—whatever you pair it with, it just tastes perfect. I recommend starting with the original oden and adding miso sauce for a wonderful evening here. It also works great as a late-night snack, feeling refreshing and easy on the stomach, making it perfect for enjoying with friends or family!

Lantern Ghost Oden (10% off for takeout)

Address: No. 212, Chengdu Road, West District, Taichung City
Phone: 04-23151581
Business Hours: 17:00–00:00 (until sold out)
FB Fan Page:https://www.facebook.com/chobk2017/

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