A post-work drink? Kaohsiung’s late-night izakaya serves ultra-drinkable black pepper pork belly

Photos & Text /Shadow

As dusk falls, the soft glow of streetlights illuminates the bustling road as we search for a newly opened izakaya near Lotus Pond. "Pandora" is a small moon orbiting Saturn, also known as "Pan," which happens to share the owner's surname—thus the name. Originally, the owner wanted to open a beef noodle shop, but after conducting market research, he found that an izakaya was the best fit for the Zhuoying area.

The owner, originally from Chiayi, came to Kaohsiung over twenty years ago and worked in the hotel industry for decades. Craving a breakthrough, he teamed up with his girlfriend to launch this izakaya. With his hotel experience as a foundation, he managed to set up the shop within six months. He personally handles the menu and sauces, with no outsourcing, and even the seating arrangement is meticulously planned. Currently run by just two people, the scale is perfectly suited to the kitchen’s capacity—a lesson many restaurateurs could learn from. Though small, the shop has its own unique charm. The limited seating avoids a cramped feel, and the counter allows for casual chats with the owner.

No izakaya is complete without drinks to pair with the food—there’s more than just beer on offer.

● 《ET News Cloud》 reminds you: Don’t drink and drive. Don’t drive if you’ve been drinking.

There’s also a good selection of Japanese liquors.

The menu may be short, but every dish is the result of the owner’s meticulous research and preparation. He says he’ll keep developing new items to ensure every visit feels fresh.

Homemade pickled vegetables – NT$50

Crisp and refreshing, with none of the heavy saltiness or acidity of Korean kimchi—more in line with Taiwanese tastes.

Chilled fruit-mustard oysters – NT$180

A unique sauce combining the natural sweetness of fruit and the spiciness of mustard pairs perfectly with fresh oysters. It’s refreshingly light with no fishy aftertaste—great for those hesitant about oysters.

Sesame-grilled chicken thigh – NT$280

A multi-layered flavor profile of sweet, sour, and sesame aroma, thanks to various types of mustard and sesame. A truly unique combo—the broth and chicken are phenomenal.

Handmade salmon rice ball – NT$50

Handmade rice balls have become popular lately, and this one is stuffed with salmon. The firm outer layer has a subtle sweet-salty taste—one per person is just right.

Midnight dried fish – NT$360

Dried fish is a staple at BBQ joints and izakayas. The tender, delicate texture is incredibly satisfying—we finished the whole thing without realizing. Bonus: the provided pepper mix has a hint of mustard, perfect for dipping the fish.

Peanut cold tofu – NT$50

Hakka-style peanut tofu gets a Japanese twist. The rich, dense tofu is paired with a homemade, subtly Japanese-style sauce. A sprinkle of grated ginger on the spoon blends beautifully with the tofu.

Black pepper pork belly – NT$180

The secret to this delicious pork belly lies in the perfectly charred edges, which release a burst of fragrant oil—a great drink pairing.

The shop also offers a garlic-vinegar dip for a different flavor experience.

Plum pork skewers – NT$80/2 pcs, teriyaki chicken thigh skewers – NT$100/2 pcs

The scallion oil on the chicken is homemade, made by blending finely chopped scallions with chicken fat. It blends seamlessly with the meat.

The pork skewers are unseasoned, letting the grilled sauce be the only flavor—pure meat enjoyment.

Fried items are only served after 11 PM. The owner treated us to an unreleased menu item: fried chicken wings. These aren’t your average wings—the owner creatively flipped the meat to wrap the skin inside before frying, resulting in an ultra-crispy texture. The exposed bone is designed for easy nibbling.

Dipped in a tempura-like sauce, it cuts through the richness and adds a refreshing kick—a truly inventive dish.

Miso Clam Soup (Hidden Gem)

A miso soup made with katsuobushi as the base, enhanced with sake. When you sip it, you can faintly detect the aroma of sake—this is a hot soup layered with multiple flavors.

The number and size of the clams used are no small matter either. As the weather gets colder, there's nothing better than sipping on a warm bowl of soup.

Delicious food calls for a drink or two—on the left is your typical soda, and on the right is beer. (Drink in moderation; alcohol can be harmful to health.)

● ET News Cloud reminds you: Don’t drink and drive, and don’t drive after drinking.

The road in front of the shop leads to Zuoying Boulevard, where traffic moves pretty fast—it’s easy to miss. It’s suggested that the owner could consider changing the way the sign is displayed to make it more visible.

Not formally trained in culinary arts, the owner taught themselves cooking with great passion, and their dedicated attitude is truly admirable. From scratch, everything has been built up by the owner, and their sincere service makes us feel the warmth of this small eatery.

Different from traditional Japanese izakayas, the owner’s creative dishes incorporate more Taiwanese flavors, making it well worth a visit. Just as the owner said at the beginning, come here and relax as if you were at home—it’s a great spot for a gathering with friends. Highly recommended.

Pandora (Note: "土卫十八" is the 18th moon of Saturn, known as Pandora in English)
Address: No. 1-134, Shengli Road, Zuoying District, Kaohsiung City
Phone: 0908-153318
Business Hours: 18:30–01:00
Closed on Mondays

Kaohsiung Food Adventure Blog　Kaohsiung Gourmet Enthusiasts FB Fan Page

Deliciousness all day, non-stop
Download the “ETtoday News Cloud APP” for quick updates on the latest food news →
iOS:https://goo.gl/rmIDdx
Android:https://goo.gl/XPe8Uj