All reviews of category "Gyudon"
Today, I came to Taipei with friends to dance. Before the event, we specifically looked for a nearby Japanese restaurant to replenish our energy and chose this well-rated "GYUU NIKU Steak Specialty Store." We ordered several main dishes and side dishes, and overall, the experience was quite satisfying. Here are our dining impressions.
🥩 Volcano Tsukimi Don
This rice bowl was generously portioned, with the slices of meat piled high like a volcano, topped with a raw egg yolk. Mixing the yolk with the beef made the overall texture smooth and delicate. The seasoning was slightly salty but just right for pairing with rice, making it a bowl worth ordering again. Highly recommended.
🐂 Scallion Salt Beef Tongue Don
The beef tongue had a bit of chewiness without being tough. The scallion salt provided just the right savory flavor, making it very palatable. It's the kind of flavor combination that beef tongue lovers would enjoy.
🥩 Pan-Seared Filet Don
The filet was cooked to perfection, soft yet still springy, paired with crispy garlic slices and perfectly seasoned with scallion salt, giving it a great depth of flavor. It's a rice bowl that combines both quality and taste, definitely worth trying.
🍗 Golden Award Fried Chicken
The fried chicken had a crispy exterior and juicy interior, performing quite well in texture. The only drawback was that the dipping sauce lacked acidity, failing to fully balance the greasiness of the fried food. If the dipping sauce could be adjusted, it would be even more perfect.
🥬 Garlic Stir-Fried Water Lily
This dish is a standard water lily preparation. While it wasn’t particularly stunning, it still served as a competent side dish to accompany the main courses.
🍲 Oxtail Soup
The oxtail soup had a slight gamey taste, with meat that was stewed to the point of being almost melt-in-your-mouth tender. If you're not particularly sensitive to gamey flavors, this soup is absolutely worth a try. Highly recommended!
📝 Overall Evaluation
The dishes at GYUU NIKU Steak Specialty Store performed outstandingly overall, especially with generous portions of meat. The cooking and seasoning of the rice bowls reflect great attention. Plus, the restaurant's environment is spacious, bright, clean, and comfortable, with prices not considered expensive for Taipei. If you're in the area, this place is definitely a great choice to replenish energy and satisfy cravings. Meat lovers should not miss it!
I came to Taichung for a business trip and originally wanted to eat at Da Hu Wu or Ippudo. However, since there was only about half an hour left before boarding, I chose Sukiya to avoid being rushed.
It is a Japanese chain restaurant specializing in rice bowls. I remember going there specifically about ten years ago when Taiwan didn’t have Sukiya and I had yet to visit Japan. Back then, I thought it was quite convenient and delicious. However, after it was introduced to Taiwan, I felt that the rice was quite different from Japan’s, leading to a decline in overall taste. So, I only eat there occasionally when I’m uncertain about what to eat 🍚.
Today, my vegetable intake was relatively low, so I ordered a medium bowl of okra beef donburi. I could order through a QR code and even selected extra sauce (and I have to remember to order verbally when I take it away later). I also added a vegetable set. Sure enough, it was delivered in less than five minutes after ordering. Because I chose extra sauce, I didn't feel like I was left with just plain rice at the end. Plus, the sliminess of the okra made the whole bowl not too dry. The vegetables, as usual, were a bit salty, so I had to remember to eat them with the rice.
It’s been a while since I had it, and today I unexpectedly tried some pretty good items (in the past, I usually only had the plain beef donburi or kimchi). The speed of service was very quick, making it perfect for a location within a transport station. No wonder the number of customers at Sukiya that day surpassed that of Da Hu Wu and Ippudo 😂.
Meal quality: 🌕🌕🌕🌑🌑
Meal price: 🌕🌕🌕🌑🌑
Service quality: 🌕🌕🌕🌑🌑
Dining environment: 🌕🌕🌕🌑🌑
Finally, I can use my card! This is really super convenient for me and has greatly increased the number of times I come to eat. Now, I just need to bring my phone to pay, and I don’t have to worry about not having cash 👍
The store feels a bit understaffed, but luckily they have an online ordering feature, which does speed up the whole process considerably～
The basic beef bowl is already very tasty, but I still like to try different flavors:
☑ Unagi Beef Bowl: A really luxurious bowl! The beef comes with a whole piece of eel, it’s great to be able to have eel at this price 👍
☑ Yuzu Vinegar Radish Beef Bowl: They give a generous amount of radish, it’s refreshing and cuts the grease, I really liked it ☺️ But if you mix it all in, the rice at the bottom can get a bit mushy, which is a bit of a pity 😅
☑ Scallion Kimchi Beef Bowl: The kimchi has a pretty unique flavor, it pairs well with the beef～
☑ Okra Beef Bowl: The smooth texture of the okra really adds to it, and it goes great with the beef!
☑ Vegetable Set: I particularly like their vegetables, they are generously seasoned with garlic, really delicious (but don’t eat it before a date 🤭)
Overall, the flavors of the meals really suit my taste. The sauce for the beef bowl has the perfect amount, not too salty and not too bland; it’s very satisfying to eat.
𖤐 Payment methods: Cash / Card / Apple Pay
𖤐 Facilities: The restaurant has a restroom, very convenient!
When Sukiya first opened in Taiwan, it indeed caused quite a sensation. At that time, I ate there quite often because the value for money was very high; for just 99 NT dollars, you could get a bowl of beef rice with green onions and a hot spring egg, along with a bowl of miso soup. It was also when I started to engage with this culture that I realized that in Japan, most of the patrons in this type of restaurant are older men. 🤣
Back to the food itself, I used to think that Sukiya was quite generous with their ingredients, but now, due to the rising costs of ingredients, the portion of beef is no longer what it used to be, and the amount of sauce is also quite little. It’s easy to finish the meal and find it dry, and the marbling of the beef is just average. Moreover, most of the Sukiya locations are now a bit old, and the tableware is made of melamine, giving it a somewhat retro feel. 🤣
However, if you are worried about the value for money, you can order the lunch special, which includes a bowl of beef rice with a hot spring egg, a bowl of miso soup, and a croquette for just 129 NT dollars. It’s quite suitable for budget-conscious diners.
📍Japan, Osaka Namba
Chain gyudon specialty store 🐃
I really liked eating Matsuya in Taiwan and have been wanting to try Matsuya in Japan.
This Matsuya near Nankai Namba Station has very convenient transportation and is a 24-hour restaurant.
The interior space is not large, similar to a ramen shop with counter seating, and ordering requires using a self-service ordering machine that has simplified Chinese available to browse the items.
There are many payment options available, but no cash.
That evening, it suddenly got cold, so I chose to take it to the hotel to eat. The takeout preparation was very quick, and they provided styrofoam bowls and free plastic bags (the takeout plastic bags in Taiwan's Matsuya charge a fee).
🥘 Yuzu vinegar radish beef bowl (¥560):
For each type of gyudon option, you can choose the size in the machine. I chose the medium size this time.
This beef bowl is very tasty 😋 The portion of meat and rice is quite generous, not overly salty, and you can even enjoy some chewy textures from the meat.
The rice is also very good, it's the kind of delicious rice you can get in Japan, and even after being packed for a while, it still retains its chewy texture.
🍄
Would I visit again: Yes!
It’s very filling and satisfying.
Later, I noticed on the menu that dining in allows you to enjoy miso soup for free, which is quite attractive!
Next time, I would also like to try breakfast 😝
Environment
The store's decor is bright and spacious, with seating for two and four people, and the tables are not too close together, which creates a less stressful dining experience. Although most dishes require grilling, there are no unpleasant odors in the restaurant. 👍
Dishes
📍 Grilled Sirloin Steak Bowl 💰 290
Two pieces of sirloin steak marinated in a special sauce and then grilled, enhancing the flavor. The beef is very tender and gets more flavorful the more you chew.
📍 House Style Char Siu Bowl 💰 180
Char siu, typically found only in ramen shops, can also be enjoyed here and is served in thicker slices with more portion size. 😋
📍 Spicy Fried Chicken 💰 160
One of the highly recommended fried items, the fried chicken drizzled with a mildly spicy and numbing sauce is very appetizing and makes you want to keep eating.
📍 Crispy Fried Smelt 💰
Unlike the smelt served in school lunches of the past, these are crispier and have plumper fish meat, making them surprisingly delicious.
📍 Crispy Fried Oysters 💰
The oysters are surprisingly fresh and do not carry any fishy smell. Even friends who don’t eat seafood find them very tasty.
‼️ There are free-flowing chicken white soup and Mei Li fruit drinks available for dine-in! ‼️
‼️ There is also a lunch special available only during noon 🍱 for just 💰 99! ‼️
📍 Beef Bento
📍 Pork Bento
📍 Fried Chicken Bento
Parking
Scooters 🛵 can be parked at the front of the store or in nearby white-lined areas.
Cars 🚗 can park in more distant spaces on Section 2 of Jingmao 3rd Road; many parking spots are a bit further away.
Service
There are only two staff members in the store, so there isn’t much time to provide thorough service during peak hours. However, the environment is kept very clean, which makes for a comfortable dining experience. 😌
Payment Methods
Cash 💰
Line Pay
🚩Open 24 hours, quick and delicious rice bowls
Sukiya Guting Store is located in Zhongzheng District, Taipei City. The nearest MRT station is Exit 7 of Guting Station, and the store is right there as you exit. Sukiya Guting Store opened in October 2014 and was the first branch to open in Taiwan. The store's decor follows the chain’s usual style, mainly featuring wood and red colors, giving it a homey restaurant vibe. The store isn’t very large, and most seats are single counter seats and 2-person tables.
Upon entering, the staff will arrange seating. Orders are taken by staff at the table, and payment is done after the meal, with both cash and credit card payments accepted. Receipts are available🈶, no service charges✔️.
Today I ordered a medium bowl of Okra Beef Bowl for $119+ along with the newly launched Yuzu Radish and Onsen Egg Set for $45. The Okra Beef Bowl comes with a small packet of bonito flakes. In the second photo, I sprinkled the bonito flakes and added the onsen egg. The texture is soft and mushy, which some might find unpleasant but I love it😅. Sukiya's beef bowls are generous with meat slices, and the rice is well-sauced, providing satisfaction from the first bite to the last😍. The newly launched side dish Yuzu Radish looks small in portion but each slice is actually quite thick, so it doesn’t feel insufficient.
The miso soup is slightly less in quantity, with not much in it but it has a rich flavor.
Sukiya is my favorite rice bowl restaurant, with affordable prices and a wide selection. Unfortunately, there are no branches near my home or office, so whenever I have the chance while running errands or shopping, I visit Sukiya. Whether dining alone or with family, it's always an enjoyable meal. Highly recommended😋
"It's that joyful Friday holiday again! Time to go out and hunt for food~ I found a rice bowl at a corner that doesn't really stand out. PS: I came to try it because a colleague recommended it." by Little Brother
<About the meal 🥣>
Let's start with the oyakodon (chicken rice bowl). Just looking at its appearance is already a big plus; it’s very appetizing. Eating chicken with the semi-cooked egg over rice is really 👍. The seasoning of the dish itself is not heavy, though it does get a bit greasy halfway through, but luckily there are boiled vegetables that help cut through the richness.
But I highly recommend the fried mochi! It’s crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, not sticky at all, but it’s super hot… my poor tongue ☹️. And it’s not greasy; you should definitely give it a try.
Lastly, let’s talk about the miso soup they offer. The miso soup is served in a very small bowl… but the broth is slightly sweet, and you can taste the bonito and the sweetness of the onion.
<About the environment 🐾>
The space feels very cramped; the entrance is packed with people, and the stairs to the dining area on the second floor are also very narrow, only allowing single-file walking.
Here’s the translated text in English:
First, let's state the conclusion👀
I would be willing to revisit this restaurant for the meal👌
I have no problem recommending it to friends👍
It's delicious, reasonably priced, and the ingredients are substantial.
The atmosphere is better when dining in the restaurant, but… I might want to order takeout 😂
This time, I came to dine with friends!
Even though it was a weekday, we still made a reservation.
On weekdays, it seemed okay as there were still some empty tables, but on weekends, it might really require a reservation!
Also, the restaurant's sign is extremely inconspicuous!
(You’ll understand why if you look at the last photo.)
If it hadn't been recommended, I wouldn't have known there was a restaurant here if I hadn't found it on Google Maps 😂
📌Location: Taichung National Museum of Natural Science
If you come to visit the National Museum of Natural Science in Taichung, feel free to try this restaurant out! 👏
🅿️Parking Information
Cars 🚗: You can consider parking in the underground parking lot of the museum.
Motorcycles 🛵: There are some areas around the museum that allow parking.
❌ Don't consider parking right in front of the store.
Here's why:
1️⃣ In front of the store is a main road, where vehicle traffic and speed are high.
2️⃣ There are no marked parking spaces in front of the store (and no spaces for motorcycles either).
3️⃣ The sides of the store are residential areas, so parking right in front can block regular access for residents.
Thus, there's a notice at the entrance: 👉 Park across the street.
I'll let the photos express my thoughts about the dishes, but let’s talk about why I deducted half a star 😂
🌬️ The main issue is ventilation and the environment:
Inside, it's an izakaya setting with an old decor style, and there's quite a bit of clutter.
It seems to have been cleaned, but with the oldness + dim lighting + old building, it's unavoidable to have damp and stuffy air.
My friends and I chatted and enjoyed our food and drinks for about 2-3 hours. We left only when the restaurant staff began closing up and asked us for the last round of orders.
As soon as we stood up, we felt a wave of dizziness 💫
(We were sitting on a sofa, which is indeed lower, while the table is relatively higher; the height difference isn’t comfortable.)
Later, we realized that even though they had a fan on, it was just too stuffy!
It felt like we were lacking oxygen until we stepped outside, where we took several deep breaths of fresh air.
This is also why I’m considering takeout in the future 😅
After all, I don’t think anyone wants to faint from a lack of oxygen in the middle of their meal, right...?
🍚 Restaurant Name: Gyudon Jirobo X Late Night Wah Soul Grilled Meat Rice Bowl X Sanchong Branch
📍 Address: 124 Dazhi Street, 1st Floor, Sanchong District, New Taipei City
▫️ Opening Hours:
Monday to Saturday 11:30 AM - 2:00 PM / 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Sunday 11:30 AM - 2:00 PM / 5:00 PM - 9:30 PM
▫️ Service Charge: None
▫️ Minimum Spend and Dining Time: No minimum spend | 90 minutes
▪️ In-Store Environment and Atmosphere:
The store space is quite large and the self-service area is very clean!
The air conditioning is not too cold. If it is your first visit,
the staff will first explain the menu and provide popular dish options.
I think this is a very good process and service!
▪️ Ordering and Payment Methods:
📝 Seating is arranged by staff, and after placing the order, it is given to the store.
💰 Payment can be made in cash or by card.
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🔖 Meal Record:
▪️ Spicy Grilled Wagyu Rice Bowl $298
▪️ Set (Onsen Egg + Golden Kimchi) $69
▪️ Nanban Spicy Fried Chicken $160
💡 Meal: 4 | Service: 5 | Atmosphere: 4 | Environment: 4