🌟 Minimum spend is one drink per person, with a 10% service charge.
🌟 A great place for gatherings and meals.
"Iryu Fine Grilled Restaurant" is a Japanese izakaya that offers a projection screen for watching games, private karaoke rooms, and a selection of cocktails and beers.
In the center of Iryu, the dining area has high stools at the bar where you can watch the games on the projection screen. The seating mainly consists of four-person tables, but there are also tables for 6-8 people. If you want more privacy, there are private rooms available, and karaoke facilities that allow you to sing for 2 minutes with a 10 TWD coin, which means singing a whole song costs about 20 TWD.
Iryu is located on Yongchun East Road in the Nantun District. Motorcycles can park directly at the entrance, and there are parking lots nearby for cars, although it depends on luck. On the day we visited, the parking lot was full, so we walked about 5 minutes after parking at the roadside.
Since we had too many people that day, we couldn't introduce everyone individually.
Let's eat!
Grapefruit Radish 💰80
Beef Skewers/Soy Sauce 💰140
Pork Belly/Green Onion and Salt 💰130
Chicken Skewers/Soy Sauce 💰130
Salt-Grilled Zucchini 💰55 (we ordered eight plates, and it was really delicious)
Grilled Yam with Mentaiko 💰100
The yam was thick and topped generously with mentaiko; I highly recommend it.
Oyster Roe and Sakura Shrimp Fried Rice 💰220
Today’s Stir-Fried Udon 💰200
Creamy Bacon Udon, and the udon was rather soft.
Fried Tofu 💰60
Fried Platter 💰288
Kermopolitan 💰300
This cocktail was quite watery and tasted very muddy; I suggest sticking to beer for a better experience 🤫
Thoughts: The skewers were all great, and definitely enjoy the beer, while cocktails are not highly recommended.
We spent over 8,000 TWD that day, and it was hard to take individual photos 😂
But I really recommend the yam and zucchini!!
If you're focused on food: skewers and beer are good, but cocktails are not great.
If you're focused on the environment: it's spacious and suitable for gatherings with many people.
If parking is a concern: motorcycles can park in front, and cars can park in the lot (depends on luck).
If restroom facilities are important: there are separate restrooms for men and women.
If you're concerned about waiting: it's best to make a reservation.
If service matters: it's pretty good; the staff actively recommends food if they feel there may not be enough to eat.
If you value cost-performance ratio: 🌟🌟🌟
(Discussions solely on food and price).
On the first night in Osaka, after arriving at the hotel, we looked for food nearby and found this izakaya, where you can truly feel the warmth of the Osaka locals! The place isn’t very large, but the atmosphere is great.
Since it was the last meal of the day, we didn’t order many dishes, mostly just some snacks to enjoy with our drinks. Their draft beer is Suntory, which isn’t my favorite, so I ordered a bottle of Sapporo instead, which was just as fresh and tasty.
The food is fairly standard, but the atmosphere is wonderful, the prices are reasonable, and the staff is super friendly. It’s definitely a great place to have a drink and soak in the Osaka vibe.
▶ Thick Cut Beef Short Ribs $260 for 2 skewers ◀
The beef short ribs are amazing! The beef you usually find in skewers can often be tough and chewy, but theirs has a slightly crispy exterior, and when you take a bite, it really bursts with juice in your mouth! Highly recommended!
▶ Salt and Onion Chicken Thigh $160 for 2 skewers ◀
The salt and onion seasoning is fantastic, with a hint of pepper aroma! And they give a generous amount~ The chicken thigh still retains the smoky flavor from grilling.
▶ Cheese Chicken Thigh $160 for 2 skewers ◀
The cheese is very plentiful and thick~ The chicken thighs are also decent-sized, and every bite is full of juicy meat! I prefer the cheese over the salt and onion variety.
▶ Salt Grilled Squid $320 ◀
The squid has a very chewy texture and doesn’t become tough from grilling.
▶ Caramel Salmon Nigiri $200 for 3 pieces ◀
The salmon is very soft, it feels slightly overcooked, so it has a rather cooked texture. The caramel pairing is a nice touch. You can add an egg for +$66.
▶ Mentaiko Cream Udon $220 ◀
The white sauce can get a bit heavy towards the end, but the udon noodles are very chewy! The mentaiko has a slight spiciness~
▶ Wasabi Octopus $80 ◀
The wasabi flavor is just right, not overwhelming but quite appetizing.
▶ Bear Hug Fried Chicken $200 ◀
This order of fried chicken comes with six pieces, and each piece is quite large~ Their fried chicken has a very unique coating that feels like it's wrapped in cornflakes, so the crispy texture is particularly pronounced, and it remains super crispy even when cold! The meat inside is very juicy.
▶ Plum Wine $180 ◀
Osaka Abeno - After visiting the Harukas 300 observation deck, enjoy some snacks like takoyaki and drinks on the 58th floor while admiring the city night view!
▶️ Helpful Reminder
🔹 To get to this restaurant, you need to purchase an entry ticket for Harukas 300, take the elevator from the 16th floor to the 60th-floor observation deck, and then take the escalator down to the 58th floor!
📍 Takoyaki Fried Octopus Dough Balls 600 yen / serving
🌕🌕🌕🌕🌘
The takoyaki has a unique texture, seeming to have been fried beforehand, making it quite special. The overall texture isn't too soft, which I really like, and there's a small piece of octopus inside.
Additionally, I think what's most special is the accompanying sauce, which can be squeezed out directly after folding it; it's a great design.
📍 Osaka Mixed Fruit Juice 600 yen
🌕🌕🌕🌘🌑
I heard this is a drink that was quite famous in Osaka long ago. I originally thought it would contain fresh fruit, but it's on the sweeter side. It's okay and has flavors of banana, apple, and a taste similar to Calpis.
📍 Matcha Green Tea 550 yen
🌕🌕🌕🌑🌑
This cup is sugar-free and more like pure matcha powder mixed with water; the flavor isn't very strong. (The restaurant has a self-service station for syrup.)
▶️ Environment
🔹 The environment is spacious, with both indoor and outdoor areas. The indoor area has air conditioning, while the outdoor area can be quite hot in the summer.
🔹 The night view can only be seen from indoor window seats on the 58th floor.
🔹 After dining, you have to return your items to the recycling area yourself.
▶️ Overall Evaluation
🔹 The food here is alright, but enjoying the night view from the 58th floor is really nice. Additionally, from 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM, they offer RICE & PASTA dishes, so it's a good spot to take a break and grab a bite while enjoying the observation deck!
Near Victory Star Village, there's an izakaya called Sakurajima Izakaya. This is my second visit, and today it’s Saturday, so the business is super good! This time, there’s a large new outdoor seating area, and the decor is very thoughtful, giving off a nice Japanese vibe. Luckily, I made a reservation in advance, and the owner saved us a tatami seating area. Even in summer, I still want to enjoy the air conditioning while eating skewers! 😂
The food is still above average. This time we ordered a ton of dishes, and the service was very fast. The Tsukimi Beef Don was delicious with the sauce, and adding a raw egg yolk made the beef even smoother. The udon noodles were chewy and satisfying. The grilled items were perfectly cooked; they were juicy and not dry at all. They even had a special grilled Nagasaki cake, which had a noticeable caramel aroma! The best part is that the prices are reasonable, making it an absolutely top choice for dining out with a few friends!
The meat dishes are excellent 👍 and the rice and noodle dishes are also made with care. Only a few items feel average. The service is quick, and the staff are very polite. The location is convenient, with a parking lot nearby. This is an izakaya I would want to visit again ❤️
✨ Personal recommendation
◽ Beef dishes
(The doneness is just right, and the more you chew, the more flavorful it becomes)
> Salt-grilled boneless short ribs✨ $230
> Ultra-black Wagyu beef ribs✨ $190
> Scallion salt beef tongue✨ $250
◽ Salt-grilled chicken thigh scallion skewers✨ $130
> Juicy, tender thigh meat with crispy skin
◽ Mentaiko chicken skewers $130
> The chicken used here is a bit dry
◽ Salt-grilled Matsusaka pork✨ $170
> Grilled to a crispy surface, the meat is elastic
> Dipped in pepper salt, it’s a perfect 100 out of 100
◽ Pork soft-boiled eggs $160
> Bacon-wrapped soft-boiled eggs (the egg whites are a bit hard)
◽ Grilled sardines✨ $150
> An incredibly fragrant side dish, crispy when grilled
◽ Signature salmon fried rice✨ $190
> Each grain of rice is distinct, with a strong wok flavor
◽ White sauce seafood udon✨ $220
> Generous amount of sauce, rich in flavor
> Although it’s a white sauce, it has another kind of flavor?
◽ Stir-fried Matsusaka pork with water lily $130
◽ Fried tofu✨ $100
> Contains garlic paste, the tofu is crispy and doesn’t hurt your mouth
◽ Mentaiko yam $150
> Biting into it feels like it has been steamed, very smooth
> Personally, I prefer a stretchy, crispy texture, so I semi-recommend it
◽ Japanese mochi grill✨ $120
> Three flavors at once: chocolate, strawberry, peanut
> The outer skin is slightly crispy when grilled, all flavors are delicious
◽ Liqueur $170–250
◽ 18 days fresh beer, one bottle $130
❓ Out of stock Miyazaki oysters $250
> Looking for opinions from those who have tasted it QAQ I really want to eat it
📍 No. 8, Lane 369, Section 2, Cultural Road, Banqiao District, New Taipei City
☎️ 02 2250 0512
⏰ 18:00–02:00
💰 Service fee applies
🚇 MRT Jiangzicui Station
🚌 Bus stop name: Jiangcui Elementary School (Cultural Road), MRT Jiangzicui Station
🅿️ Map search: Jiangcui Elementary School underground parking lot - Wenqiang Traffic
Summary: 🌕🌕🌕🌗🌑
Dickson's Fooday food review is back!
This time, we are visiting a lively izakaya in Linsen North!
Tucked away in a small alley, it has a very authentic and bustling Japanese izakaya vibe. 🏮
Instead of having a door to separate the inside from the outside, there is just a fabric curtain, giving it a true izakaya feel. 👌
The interior features a long bar counter and several small tables.
The dining space is not large, and the distance between tables is also not much. If you’re here for a date, I would actually recommend sitting at the bar!
Food: 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌑
Drinks: 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌑
Atmosphere: 🌕🌕🌕🌑🌑
Service: 🌕🌕🌕🌗🌑
Price: 🌕🌕🌕🌖🌑
Location: 🌕🌕🌕🌗🌑
⭐️Food
There are many featured Japanese dishes and items that are typical in izakayas.
👉 Sunny-side-up Egg Hamburg Patty $300
This is amazing!
The hamburger patty comes with a runny egg.
When eating, you slowly break it open, allowing the patty to soak in the yolk.
Yum! Just thinking about it makes my mouth water!
👉 Glowing Octopus $???
A very special dish, more of an appetizing cold plate.
The octopus comes with a unique sauce.
A flavor you rarely try, definitely worth a taste!
👉 Fried Chicken $220
Crispy fried chicken that isn’t too dry.
Paired with some dips and sauces on the side, it was quite good!
👉 Yam $???
Dickson isn’t very fond of yam, so only had a slice.
It’s the common roasted yam flavor; I can’t really describe it further.
👉 Mentaiko Stir-fried Udon $200
This udon was quite memorable from that day.
Though the portion isn’t large, the stir-fried udon is very flavorful.
Paired with mentaiko and some meat, it was delicious overall.
👉 British Roast Beef $300
This is also one of my personal favorites, possibly because Dickson loves meat!
The roast beef isn’t cooked too well and comes with sauce on the side.
Thin slices of meat with sauce, bite by bite, truly leaves you wanting more!
At that moment, I seriously considered ordering another plate! 🥺🥺
Since this is an izakaya, of course there are drinks too!
This place has happy hour during certain time slots, where you can drink endlessly!
Enjoying beer to your heart's content, it’s a great time to drink away! 😤😤
⭐️Service
Since I was sitting at the bar with a friend, I could observe the kitchen staff.
Indeed, for a place this large, the number of employees is a bit low, which is why the dishes came out a bit slowly.
This is the main complaint that has led many to give low ratings.
However, my personal experience was okay; it wasn’t particularly slow.
But since you’re at an izakaya, you should drink and eat while slowly building rapport with friends nearby!
⭐️Atmosphere
It’s a slightly noisy izakaya, but since everyone is in this environment, you might as well chat and have a good time with your friends!
Summary
This izakaya is great for coming with friends to enjoy the authentic izakaya vibe.
Whether you want to eat or have a drink and enjoy chatting about recent updates, it's a fitting spot! 👌👌
🤪🤪Dickson's Ramblings🤪🤪
This is another food review from an izakaya in Linsen North.
Dickson will definitely be visiting more izakayas in Linsen North in the future!
Stay tuned!
Although the options for dates around Linsen North are somewhat limited, usually people come here after heading from Zhongshan, or to see a movie at Showtime.
Recently, I discovered that the atmosphere and overall vibe of the shops in Linsen North are completely different from those in Taipei's East District and Xinyi!
Maybe it’s time to give girls used to the East District and Xinyi a new experience!
Alright, since you made it to Zhongshan in Taipei, after your itinerary here, it’s very suitable to stroll around Linsen North! 🤩🤩
This izakaya had decent food and drinks, but the most important part is who you are with!
Having a cute girl by your side definitely makes the food taste 50% better, right? 🤩
Even if the food isn’t great, the company matters more! ❤️
Of course, if your date turns out poorly and you end up at a bad place, well, you can always reset and try again!
Next time will be better!
Earlier, I mentioned the happy hour for drinks.
I personally recommend taking the opportunity during happy hour to enjoy some drinks beforehand and then have a meal!
However, be careful with this approach,
since happy hour is usually early, if you drink too much on an empty stomach, you need to watch your limits. 🥺🥺
Otherwise, if a girl drinks too happily and in a rush to enjoy happy hour, she might get tipsy very quickly.
And she may forget all the highlights of your date!
What a shame!!
What good food did you eat?
What heartfelt conversations did you share?
What secrets did you talk about?
The next day, the girl might say,
“Huh? I totally forgot!”
Isn’t that a bit of a pity?
But thinking about it, it's good that she forgot some of the secrets shared yesterday!
Yay!!
Let’s never bring it up again! 🤣🤣🤣
You see, even if the other person forgets the details of your date, in such a joyous atmosphere,
I believe that in your hearts, your relationship has definitely grown closer again! ❤️❤️
A low consumption place for a drink, with not many seats available. Luckily, there was an outdoor spot for two during dinner time. The grapefruit beer is delicious, with the sweetness balancing the bitterness of the beer. It's a great choice for those who are afraid of the taste of alcohol but still want to drink. Drinking it from an icy glass enhances the whole experience.
The skewers are quite affordable at 50 for a meat skewer, and they're pretty well grilled. The pork neck is recommended, though it can be a bit tough. The clams are fairly fresh and of average size. The mentaiko rice cake is wrapped in seaweed, which unfortunately takes away most of the flavor from the dish; it tastes good but doesn't quite match the dish's name. I'm not quite sure about the mentaiko chazuke — it feels wasteful to have mentaiko in tea, though it might just be a personal preference against this kind of dish.
Overall, it follows a good value-for-money route, making it suitable for those looking to enjoy a couple of drinks accompanied by some small bites.
Overall Review: 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌘
Dickson's Fooday mouthpiece food review is here!
This time, I visited a modern-style Japanese izakaya located above the department store in the Xinyi District.
This izakaya hasn't been open for too long; it presumably just started operating in the last few months.
Every time I pass by the nearby restaurants, I notice this izakaya, which has a very impressive and atmospheric decor inside.
Finally, I found some time to visit recently, and this restaurant also allows online reservations.
Dickson is a fan of online reservations, so if a restaurant offers that service, it feels very convenient. 🤣🤣🤣
But of course, that's just beside the point.
As for the food, I personally think it's quite good.
The dishes we ordered were all above average and had no misses.
I would say it's really decent Japanese cuisine.
If there are any limited dishes written on the board that day, you can look at the board to select special dishes.
Additionally, their ordering system is basically online via a QR code, so there aren't any physical menus to browse through.
I do think having a physical menu is still important because it gives a more dining-in experience.
Plus, some restaurants can display creative menus. Of course, this part is subjective.
Back to the main point, the dishes here are all quite tasty.
However, it's a bit unfortunate that since it's located inside a department store, the portion sizes are not very large.
If two people visit, sharing a dish would work, but be sure to order several dishes, or you might find it insufficient!
The drinks are straightforward, with a variety of beers and cocktails available.
You can order according to your needs.
The restaurant has a modern izakaya style, and there are plenty of seats.
Moreover, it is conveniently located in the Xinyi District, which has good transportation.
Just remember that since it's on the upper food court level, you'll need to take the elevator to get there.
I think if you're very interested in Japanese cuisine and enjoy the izakaya atmosphere, you definitely need to try this place.
The food is delicious, and the atmosphere is nice!
Food: 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌗
Drinks: 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌑
Atmosphere: 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌘
Service: 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌘
Price: 🌕🌕🌕🌑🌑
Location: 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌘
⭐️ Food:
👉 Smoked Egg Potato Salad $240
I highly recommend this potato salad.
The overall salad is creamy with the potatoes.
Though the portion is indeed not big, it's very tasty.
The potatoes and egg are soft and delicate, paired with the smoked egg and salad combo—delicious!
👉 Crab Chawanmushi $220
The chawanmushi portion is not large; it's about the size of a regular bowl of chawanmushi.
But the ingredients are quite substantial, with plenty of crab meat inside.
You can see that from the earlier pictures.
The ingredients are very solid, and the flavor is quite delicious.
However, the price may be on the high side due to the amount of crab meat.
👉 Pork Cutlet Sandwich $350
When visiting a Japanese izakaya, one must try the pork cutlet sandwich.
However, I find it unfortunate that this sandwich lacks uniqueness.
It's not bad, but it doesn't stand out compared to the other dishes.
The pork cutlet is well-placed within the sandwich, but it doesn’t have that wow factor, making it not a must-try item here.
Also, it's cut into four pieces, so the price is a bit high. 🤣🤣
👉 Sea Urchin Udon $880
I think this dish is the best of the day.
If you're visiting, I highly recommend ordering this!
Though the price is quite high, the amount of sea urchin is generous.
The udon is dreamy, with the flavor of sea urchin throughout.
Combined with other seasonings and sauces, it's rich in flavor.
Everyone should definitely try this!
👉 Beef Tartare $480
This is probably the second best dish today.
From the picture, you can see it looks really good from when it’s served.
A large egg yolk sits on top, making it wonderful for photos.
Mixing the yolk with the beef results in a very tasty dish.
I find the price reasonable, given the generous portion of beef.
But do note, this dish is likely seasonal, so make sure to check if it's available when you visit!
👉 Chicken Cartilage with Pepper Salt $250
The chicken cartilage is quite average—it’s fine, but nothing special.
So if you're visiting, this dish isn't a must-order.
⭐️ Drinks:
👉 Classic Highball $220
When at a Japanese izakaya, of course, one must enjoy a highball.
The drinks here are fairly standard—nothing wrong with them, just your basic selection.
If you're looking for something special, feel free to ask the staff for recommendations; they have a good variety.
⭐️ Atmosphere:
The atmosphere of the restaurant is quite nice, with a slightly darker theme.
The seating capacity is also significant.
There are also some private booths, designed in a modern Japanese izakaya style, leaning towards a restaurant vibe.
The distance between tables is sufficient, so you won’t have to worry about speaking loudly bothering others.
The interior is tastefully designed with an elegant feel.
Overall, the atmosphere and seating area are quite comfortable.
The overall style and vibe are also suitable for dates and gatherings with friends!
⭐️ Service:
The staff's service attitude is pretty good.
On the day I used the QR code to order, one dish took a long time to be served, so after bringing it up to the staff, they ended up gifting it to us.
I find that level of service commendable. 🤣🤣
When dishes are brought to the table, the staff also introduces them very attentively.
Plus, because it's someone's birthday that month, they generously provided a lovely dessert, which was delicious!
⭐️ Pricing:
Since it's located in the food court of a department store in the Xinyi District, it’s a bit on the pricier side.
While the individual dish prices are not too high, the portion sizes can be small.
However, most dishes are above standard, with some being quite delicious.
I find this pricing acceptable; it's not exaggerated, just right.
⭐️ Location:
It's on the upper level of the department store in the Xinyi District, which features mainly higher-priced restaurants, so competition is likely fierce.
Being located in the heart of Xinyi District and on the upper level of the department store makes this place very convenient.
So if you're nearby and feel like dining, it’s easy to secure a reservation!
⭐️ In summary:
I personally highly recommend this Japanese izakaya.
Located above the Xinyi District department store, if you’re shopping or catching a movie nearby, this is a great dinner option!
Especially since I believe several dishes are genuinely delicious, it's certainly worth a try for fans of Japanese cuisine.
Just be aware that some items may sell out early, which is a pity.
For instance, I wanted the clam dish, but since we arrived at around 8 PM, many items were already sold out.
So for those planning to visit, keep an eye on the time to avoid missing out on what you want!
Reviewer Comment: The restroom is quite small, and the sink is inside, which is really inconvenient.
I偶ally saw someone recommending this izakaya on a crisp social media post, and since it’s newly opened, I decided to give it a try.
This time, three of us dined together, and we ordered 12 dishes:
Overall, I won’t be returning. The transportation and parking are very convenient with a parking lot right across the street.