▶ Luxurious Chef's Special $1499 ◀
➡️ Pickled Three Flavors
➡️ Cod Liver Seaweed Fry: At the bottom is a piece of fried seaweed, topped with cod liver, lettuce, and fish roe, making for a very special appetizer. The crispy texture combined with the soft cod liver is surprisingly fitting!
➡️ Seasonal Sashimi Black Tuna Platter: The standout black tuna has a refreshing lemon flavor when tasted on its own, and eating it with the sashimi sauce allows you to enjoy the rich oiliness of the tuna, which melts in your mouth. The red snapper has a chewier texture, while the red shrimp is very rich and sweet, clearly fresh! The scallops are also very tender and fresh. Interestingly, besides shredded radish, there are green grapes, which are completely different from what you’d find in Okinawa—not salty, with a smooth texture.
➡️ Sea Urchin Mini Seafood Jewel Box: This jewel box is filled with an abundance of ingredients! It’s a small bowl packed with high-quality, delicious ingredients! Sea urchin, tuna, salmon, squid, fish roe, shrimp, herring roe, shiso leaves, seaweed, and cucumbers, eaten with soy sauce and wasabi, is truly satisfying! Halfway through, you can add real sea bream broth, which is rich and flavorful, and eating it with rice transforms it into a delightful rice soup! The broth not only has a strong sea bream flavor but also a rich celery taste~ Plus, both the broth and rice can be refilled!!
➡️ Matsuba Crab Vegetable Tempura: Includes Matsuba crab, red pepper, zucchini, and enoki mushrooms. The fried Matsuba crab remains tender, with a crispy exterior complementing the soft crab meat. The zucchini is very juicy, but unfortunately soft. The enoki mushrooms were surprising; I initially thought they were chanterelles, but they're actually enoki mushrooms!!
➡️ Uji Matcha Pudding with Kintoki: The pudding is incredibly soft, with a rich yet light texture, topped with finely ground matcha powder. Served alongside cornflakes and red bean paste, the red bean paste is thick yet retains a bit of texture!
➡️ Shizuoka Matcha (Hot): The flavor is milder, making it a perfect cup of hot tea to enjoy after a hearty meal, very comforting.
➡️ Wine Pairing $799
▶ Grilled Star Eel $180 ◀
The star eel is prepared sweet, with soft bones that can be eaten directly; the texture is a bit more chewy compared to the usual eel!
▶ Spicy Cod Roe Chicken Roll $280 ◀
The chicken strip is wrapped in spicy cod roe sauce, with a layer of shiso leaves on the outside, followed by a coating of fried batter! The chicken has a bit more chew, but this combination is unique—you can taste the refreshing aroma of the shiso leaves along with the savory sweetness of the cod roe.
You cannot make a reservation; you must arrive in groups to be seated after ordering your meals. The business is doing very well, so be mindful of that, or you will end up waiting a long time. The restaurant, like those in Japan, is very full, and since it specializes in teppanyaki cuisine, there is a bit of oil and smoke, but it is quite clean.
As for the dishes, they mainly focus on Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki, with different flavors and extra ingredients available. I noticed that people generally order one each for themselves. Personally, I find it can be a bit rich and heavy in flavor, so it is more suitable to share among several people and then order some other dishes individually.
The goal of this article is to challenge selected reviews.
Junwa Japanese Cuisine is located on Section 1 of Tiedao Road in Hsinchu City, with a rather understated appearance and not many seats, therefore currently only accepting reservations through online booking. This is a full reservation, no-menu, counter dining experience.
Currently, the Michelin Guide in Taiwan only reviews Taipei, Taichung, Tainan, and Kaohsiung, but if they could evaluate Hsinchu, I believe Junwa would definitely make it onto the list.
Today, we enjoyed a two-person dinner with a no-menu arrangement, along with some drinks, totaling NT$ 9,218. In fact, the no-menu meal costs NT$ 3,500 per person without service charge. The menu is a small sheet that is changed regularly, consisting of a total of ten dishes.
Ibérico Ham / Sunny King Muscat Grapes / Scallop:
To begin, we have small, delicate ham slices and grapes. The rich flavor of the ham paired with the refreshing sweet and sour grapes whetted our appetite well.
Daxi Green Bamboo Shoots / Parmesan Cheese / Dried Sausage:
The second dish is also to start with. At first glance, one might mistake the green bamboo shoots for spring rolls; please open and savor them carefully. The slices of sausage and the slightly salty cheese flavor highlight the sweetness of the bamboo shoots impressively. The fibers of the bamboo shoots are very tender and smooth.
Taiwanese Natural Oilfish / Kanpachi / Nagasaki Bluefin Tuna:
Sashimi, or raw fish, is the meaning here. Following the chef's recommendation to taste in order allows one to experience the gradual change in texture and flavor, which is worth trying. Of course, it’s also fine to enjoy it according to one’s own preference. The marbling in the bluefin tuna is very striking, and it has a rich taste.
Hualien Cherry Duck Breast / Baby Cabbage / Yuzu Pepper:
Warm dish, prepared through cooking. The duck breast, enveloped in rich duck fat aroma, comes with fresh, crunchy baby cabbage (which is covered by the duck). The unique spiciness of yuzu pepper adds the finishing touch here.
South African Abalone / Zucchini / Japanese Yuzu / Mountain Chervil:
Soup dish, an appetizer soup, with thick slices of abalone and a mild soup. The abalone is thick and refreshingly fresh, while the zucchini is tender and sweet. Japanese yuzu (citrus) adds a hint of acidity as part of the soup base, which makes one look forward to the subsequent dishes.
Aichi Prefecture Ginkgo / Squid / Cheese / Yellow Mustard:
Fried dish; this is truly made in a spring roll style. The main body of the spring roll is chewy squid, with green beans being ginkgo. The perfectly fried squid spring roll combined with cheese and yellow mustard is a fascinating dish.
Taiwanese Natural Black Mullet / Sweet Peach / Tangerine Sauce Radish Puree:
Grilled dish; in kaiseki, this refers to seasonal fish grilled, and includes grilled or boiled beef, poultry, etc. The fish is grilled to a crispy exterior and tender interior. The small slices of sweet peach and the sweet-and-sour tangerine sauce radish puree not only cut the oiliness of the fish, but are also delightful on their own.
Kumamoto Hybrid Wagyu Fillet / Hokkaido Shallots:
The second grilled dish, the pink wagyu fillet is definitely delicious just from the photo. The chef uses precise techniques to fully encase the tasty beef in the slices. It’s great to eat directly, and also suits a light dip in the attached rock salt (rose salt?).
Pingtung County White Eel / Chihshang Rice / Broth:
Rice dish, which is a unique category, but kaiseki cuisine categorization is somewhat varied; this dish resembles a combination of rice and a broth (shiru).
The rice part refers to dishes centered around rice. In the preceding dishes, one can see the kitchen in the back continually grilling things while aromas waft out.
The shop uses the highest quality binchotan charcoal to quickly roast thick eel thoroughly, accompanied by a special sauce. The rice is also quite meticulous, each grain distinct, topped with eel; this may be the richest and sweetest eel rice I have ever had. The plain rice can be refilled, though the meat portion is fixed; however, the sauce provided for refills is generous, and many guests enjoyed more than one bowl of rice.
The broth (shiru) part’s broth is miso soup. After enjoying the rich eel rice, the refreshing soup resets the palate in preparation for the final sweet course.
Fig Hot Dog / Peach Oolong Ice Cream:
Sweet course, wrapping figs in a deep-fried hot dog style is a creative idea. The ice cream is genuinely made with the most traditional desserts to conclude the meal; the fruitiness and tea fragrance each have their characteristics yet do not clash.
That day, due to my physical condition, the non-alcoholic beverages I enjoyed were also quite special. The herbal cola and non-alcoholic white wine were carefully selected by the owner, adding interesting variations to the deliciousness. However, the beverages are indeed expensive, and on the next visit, I might not order as many.
Overall, as I mentioned at the beginning, if the Michelin Guide could visit Hsinchu, Junwa Japanese Cuisine would certainly make a mark.
After all, with a relatively high price, the visiting customers are almost all there for birthdays or anniversaries, aside from business dining. If one's pocket is deep enough, it’s genuinely desirable to come a few more times.
Highly recommended to everyone!
Braces person review: There are many handwashing stations outside.
This takoyaki is quite famous in Taichung. I previously tried it at the Yizhong Street store, and this time I saw their booth at the Qing Shui service area and decided to try it again. This takoyaki shop offers eight flavors, including original, mustard, curry, spicy, seaweed, plum, honey mustard, and extra cheesy, all priced at 65 NT dollars for six pieces. They also sell tea drinks. We chose the basic original flavor to try.
The outer skin of this takoyaki is slightly crispy; when you bite into it, you can feel a light crunch, while the filling retains the traditional soft and smooth texture of takoyaki. Taking a bite might even burn your mouth, which shows that they have control over the temperature quite well. The takoyaki is very plump and doesn’t turn mushy like some that have been sitting out too long. The filling is somewhat ordinary; the pieces of octopus are small but have a decent texture, and the freshness is acceptable. I liked the bonito flakes sprinkled on top, which added depth to the overall flavor.
Environment
Located near the train station, this omakase Japanese restaurant has minimal decor. There are two six-person tables and one four-person table for dining inside, and the bar can accommodate four people. It's highly recommended to book a table a day in advance on weekends, as they only serve set menus priced at 1000, 1300, 1600, 2000, 2500, and 3000. Informing the owner ahead of time allows them to prepare some dishes in advance, ensuring the dining time isn’t prolonged and that you can enjoy delicious meals.
Dishes
This time we had the 1000 yuan set menu for three people. The omakase meal consists of ten dishes, all very fresh and carefully selected by the owner. Although the decor is simple, the value for money in the meals is remarkable.
The higher the price, the more surprises there are. This time, we received fresh seafood in the form of grouper head, while the neighboring table’s 1300 yuan seafood set featured live crab, which the owner mentioned is cooked fresh. This is a Japanese cuisine experience that definitely warrants a repeat visit.
What stood out the most to me was the dessert. It doesn’t look impressive at first glance, but once you take a bite, you are greeted with a rich sesame flavor. The owner generously shared his unique recipe.
Parking
Motorcycles can be parked in front of the store or in nearby white-lined areas. Cars can park beside the restaurant, accommodating up to three vehicles, or at a paid parking lot.
Service
The restaurant is operated by the owner and his son who handle both the food and customer service. Despite being a two-person operation, the service is excellent. Since it’s omakase, the owner will introduce the dishes during downtime, and he warmly shares and answers any questions from customers, making the entire dining experience fantastic.
Payment Methods
Cash and various mobile payment options are accepted.
This Japanese restaurant has a beautiful name that evokes stunning views (as the sunset gradually fades). We were first attracted by its lovely name during our initial pass, and being fans of Japanese cuisine, this is our third visit for dining in. Even though it was lunchtime, and not a typical izakaya with drinks, the gourmet food here resembles the breathtaking scenery of a sunset, making it such a pleasure to enjoy authentic Japanese dishes.
Once seated, we looked for the menu but only found the Happy Hour menu on the table. There were no special discounts visible on the walls, but we did see some seafood with their Japanese and English names.
(Taking a look at the photo:
まさば Masaba = Japanese Mackerel)
It turns out we needed to look up the menu online to order. (Thinking about it, adjusting prices (upward?) would be easier, and it streamlines everything while saving on printing costs.)
We ordered three dishes:
Words fail to describe the deliciousness.
Worried I might forget, I quickly took photos of the dishes before enjoying them leisurely.
After finishing everything, I will not forget this delightful meal; only the beautiful photos will serve as proof.
If I forgot, then I'll just have to come back again for a nice meal!
Overall Review: 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌗
Dickson's Fooday Mouth Cannon Review #276
This time, I visited a well-known Japanese restaurant in Taipei.
I believe everyone has heard of this restaurant's name, right?
In addition to Japanese cuisine, they also offer teppanyaki and other types of dining.
We arrived at the Japanese restaurant inside the Grand Hotel.
Inside the Grand Hotel, you need to go downstairs to reach it.
This Japanese restaurant also requires a reservation in advance,
And depending on the season and occasion, there will be different menus.
Personally, I found it quite worth it.
The prices aren't extremely high, but you can enjoy most of the deliciousness of Japanese cuisine!
I highly recommend visiting multiple times!
In addition to the regular menu,
You can also order additional dishes based on the ingredients the restaurant received that day.
During the meal, the chef will inquire about any extra orders you might want based on the ingredients available.
So when you dine here, there might be unexpected surprises!
For those who love Japanese cuisine,
This is definitely not to be missed if you pass by.
I think you can consider this place as a mid-level Japanese restaurant.
Everyone is welcome to give it a try!
Food: 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌗
Drinks: 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌘
Atmosphere: 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌗
Service: 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌘
Price: 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌑
⭐️ Regarding Food
Every time I eat Japanese cuisine,
Even though the staff provide detailed introductions about each dish, like what type of fish it is or where it comes from,
It's really hard to remember all of that!
As for the ingredients,
I felt that each dish was quite fresh and delicious,
Because I recently had more expensive Japanese cuisine,
So I immediately compared them.
Of course, overall, you get what you pay for,
But at this price point, you can experience about 90% of the flavors of higher-priced options.
I personally think it's very worth it!
You spend 50% less and still enjoy 80% of the delicious dishes,
I think that's quite sufficient!
The most memorable dish for me that day was the
👉 Bluefin Tuna Belly
Indeed, the bluefin tuna is amazing.
It's very fresh, and combined with the chef's special knife skills and cooking techniques,
It left me wanting more!
👉 Bluefin Tuna Triple Roll
This dish is made with bluefin tuna in a style similar to rolled sushi,
However, the portion of bluefin tuna inside is very generous,
It's kind of like eating sashimi sushi rolls.
I found this dish to be quite impressive and memorable!
Although I didn't go into detail about each dish,
I thought everything was quite good.
That day, I basically didn't encounter any particularly bad dishes,
So I personally left with a very good impression of the food here!
Additionally, because there were special ingredients that day,
We also ordered some fish to try~
The flavors were quite good!
⭐️ Regarding Drinks
The price for each person does not include drinks.
During the meal,
The staff and the chef will ask if we would like to have any drinks.
If you’re unsure about what you want to drink,
You can also ask the chef or the servers
What types of wines would pair well with your favorite flavors and today’s dishes.
That day, we also consulted the staff and chef,
And they finally recommended a very good wine!
It tasted very refreshing and delicious.
Pairing it with their Japanese cuisine was truly perfect,
So I’m quite satisfied with this aspect!
⭐️ Regarding Atmosphere
The private dining space we sat in wasn't particularly large.
The restaurant layout features a typical Japanese U-shaped counter,
Where you can see how the chef prepares your dish,
And you can interact with the chef nicely.
Even though we came to enjoy Japanese cuisine,
The overall atmosphere was quite relaxed and humorous.
The chef was quite young and entertaining,
And occasionally, he would engage in friendly conversation with the customers.
Moreover, the other diners on that day were also quite friendly,
Occasionally chatting a bit with us,
So I found the dining experience here to be quite delightful.
It's very suitable for a meal with a few close friends or couples!
⭐️ Regarding Service
I found the service here to be quite good.
Whether from the servers in the dining area
Or the chef I mentioned earlier,
The service was very attentive.
The servers were very considerate of our dining status,
Since we had a bit of alcohol,
Whenever they noticed our glasses were getting empty,
They would immediately come to refill them.
The chef was also very friendly,
And he would initiate conversations with us.
Additionally, he thoroughly explained each dish when it was served,
Including the types of fish used and how to enjoy them.
At the end, the chef even shared some of his experiences while working in Japan,
And the overall dining experience felt very comfortable and enjoyable!
⭐️ Regarding Price
As mentioned earlier,
I personally think the pricing of this Japanese restaurant is mid-range,
But at this mid-range price, you can enjoy about 80% of the quality of high-priced options.
I think it’s very worth it,
And you won’t feel much pain when it’s time to settle the bill.
I believe this price range is quite suitable for general diners,
Especially when celebrating special occasions or anniversaries, you can indulge without hesitation!
Overall, I think the value for money is quite high~
After all, I felt the entire dining experience was very comfortable and delicious 😂😂
⭐️ In Summary
I personally highly recommend this Japanese restaurant.
During my visit, nearly every dish was quite good,
Combined with the chef and the staff's dedicated attitude
And the chef's culinary skills along with humorous conversations,
This restaurant is truly my first choice among low to mid-priced Japanese restaurants!
So if you love Japanese cuisine,
Make sure to add it to your must-try list!
🤪 Dickson’s Mouth Cannon Area 🤪
🙎🏻♂️: Want to join me for a big meal?
👩: You tell me what you want to eat first, and then I’ll consider it!
🙎🏻♂️: How about seafood?
👩: Eating fish? Let me think, I’m quite picky about my tastes,
I won’t eat fish unless it’s good! What do you want to eat fish-wise?
🙎🏻♂️: Just seafood! It's delicious~~~
👩: There are so many types of fish. How do I know what to choose?
🙎🏻♂️: How about the baby fish!
👩: 😍😍😍😍 Are you talking about baby fish?
Should we eat teppanyaki or Japanese cuisine?
I’m good with either! 😍😍😍
🙎🏻♂️: …What a woman whose mood changes faster than flipping a page!
Look,
We can use this simple Taiwanese Mandarin
To find out if your partner changes their mind faster than flipping a page, right?
And you can take this opportunity
To see if they’re allergic to fish.
What an interesting little experiment,
You better remember to try it out!
See you next time in Dickson’s Mouth Cannon Area!
🔅Actual visit date: 2024/11/23
*Please do not reprint or use for commercial purposes without permission
This takoyaki place offers eight flavors, all priced uniformly at $65 for six pieces. They also sell some tea drinks, and we had the original flavor.
The takoyaki has a slightly crispy skin and the filling retains the authentic soft texture of traditional takoyaki. You need to be careful as it can be quite hot when you take a bite.
The filling isn't very generous; the octopus is just a small piece. Personally, I really like the bonito flakes, so I enjoyed the overall seasoning, which is quite standard and suitable for sharing among multiple people.
Celebrating Taiwan's baseball victory!!
The boss is giving away a luxurious samurai bowl for 880, plus an extra crab. I made a reservation early because it’s always fully booked on weekends.
The seafood here includes sweet shrimp, sea urchin crab paste, scallops, halibut fin, and sashimi. There's no need to mention the freshness; it's delicious 😋
I really like the sea urchin here; it's sweet and not too bitter.
Additionally, there's grilled golden-eyed snapper, which has a refreshing texture and isn't greasy at all.
They serve barley tea for dine-in, along with miso soup filled with shrimp heads and salmon trimmings. Just the soup is loaded with seafood.
By the way, starting this year, there’s also a 10% environmental cleaning fee!
🔅Actual visit date: 2024/11/23
*Please do not repost & use commercially without permission.
Located on the third floor of the Qing Shui Rest Area, it seems to be a recently opened area, and I'm not quite sure what this place is called, but there are lots of Japanese food vendors next to it.
On that day, even before the ordering time at 10 AM, there were about 7 or 8 groups of customers in line. Currently, this is the only place in Taiwan where you can get Tokyo Banana ice cream. It's a one-person operation where they take your order, collect payment, and make the ice cream, but everything is sanitized, so there's not much to worry about; you just need to wait a little.
The portion given is quite generous, with a nice round shape. The texture is very delicate, and the flavor is not overly sweet; in addition to the banana taste, there is a hint of creaminess. I think it's pretty tasty overall! At $140, it's an acceptable price; after enjoying a round of gas station snacks, buying a serving for two people as a snack is just right.