While passing through the Gongguan area, I came across a Japanese-style dining place that specializes in eel rice, where you even have to use a self-ordering machine outside to pay.
However, this is actually a Taiwanese take on Japanese cuisine. Fooday just happens to have this type of restaurant!
I ordered the grilled eel set meal (small), and the rice was plentiful. The eel sauce was rather sweet, and the texture was not soft enough; in fact, it was a bit bouncy. This seems to be a common interpretation of Taiwanese eel rice? There were small bones, but the main issue was that it wasn't hot enough.
My basic understanding of Japanese grilled eel is that it should be grilled at high temperatures until the meat is extremely tender, easily falling apart when picked up with chopsticks. Even if there are fine bones, they should be grilled to the point of being soft enough to swallow without getting stuck in your throat. Unfortunately, this dish did not meet those standards.
Dine-in customers can help themselves to warm tea, and the set meal also comes with apple vinegar and Taiwanese side dishes. The music playing in the restaurant was all Mandarin pop music.
Every store has a story behind it. A young man, in pursuit of his dreams, founded this shop in the streets of Changhua in 2016, specializing in Japanese-style grilled meat bowls and steak sets. He hopes to bring Japanese street food culture to Taiwan and provide high-quality meals at affordable prices. In addition to the main dishes, the shop also offers a variety of set menu options, along with free soup, side dishes, and drinks, allowing customers to enjoy delicious food while experiencing great value for their money…
✅ "Extreme盛" Kyoto Jiro Pork Bowl: The amount of pork is double that of the regular portion, nearly completely covering the rice. The pork belly is sourced from Taiwan and grilled to release a fragrant aroma of fat, resulting in tender meat. The sweet-salty sauce pairs well with the rice, making you unable to resist taking bite after bite. Additionally, you can add a soft-boiled egg for an extra 30 TWD, mixing the yolk with the rice for a smoother and richer flavor.
✅ Hirata Soul Thick-Cut Cheese Pork Chop Bowl: The pork is made from Iberian pigs, coated in a golden and crispy batter, with rich mozzarella cheese stuffed inside. Taking a bite releases a rich layer of cheese and the tender pork chop's meatiness. The slightly sweet pork chop sauce enhances the dish's flavor. Although the pork chop is thick, it remains tender and juicy, with a slightly thicker coating that still maintains its crispiness.
✅ Flame God Grilled Marble Beef Bowl: The beef used is American flat iron steak, paired with the shop's special barbecue sauce. It is grilled over an open flame to fully release the fragrant fat of the beef. The sinew is also removed to make the meat even more tender and easy to chew. Paired with onions, pickled ginger, and broccoli, it balances the overall flavor, making it refreshing and reducing the greasiness of the beef.
✅ Nanban Pepper and Spicy Fried Chicken: The chicken is made from chicken thighs, which are very tender and juicy, retaining the chicken's essence inside. Paired with the shop's special sweet and sour sauce with a hint of pepper, the flavors are rich and layered.
✅ Volcano Lava Cake: The cake is not the typical fluffy type but has a rich chocolate aroma and a moderate sweetness that isn't overly cloying, making it a satisfying treat without feeling too heavy.
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This restaurant offers excellent value for money. In addition to the meals, the shop provides unlimited access to chicken soup, smoothies, and side dishes, which, despite being free, are quite flavorful. The portion sizes are generous, making it highly recommended for meat lovers, especially the "Extreme盛" series. The best part is that the prices are very affordable!
If you get really hungry late at night and want to have a proper meal, the Artisan Eatery is a great choice. They offer a variety of Japanese donburi (rice bowls) and also have soup dumplings available. The dining space inside the restaurant is quite spacious, allowing you to sit down and enjoy your meal slowly.
The restaurant has many motivational slogans from the owner, and one that impressed me the most is: "You must eat to your fill!" If you’re not full, you can tell him. This really gives a warm feeling to those living alone outside, as if they are being cared for. Plus, the owner’s wife is very kind; after my delivery arrived, she directly offered me some red tea.
However, let's get back to evaluating the food. Regarding the chicken thigh donburi I ordered, the seasoning was fine, but I believe some details could be improved. For example, the chicken bone wasn’t cleaned well, and I almost got pricked by it. Additionally, the rice in the donburi was a bit too wet, making it somewhat mushy. Otherwise, given the portion size, I think the price is reasonable.
Next time, I would like to try their soup dumplings.
You can order online via Line, and takeout services are also available. It's not a destination restaurant, but if you're passing by and unsure of what to eat, this place is a good choice.
There are three tables for four people, four tables for two, and two seats at the bar for dine-in.
The flavor of the pork rice bowl is quite standard, with the broth evenly coating each grain of rice, not too wet or too dry, and not overly salty.
The serving portions for rice bowls, curry rice, and set meals can be adjusted.
Lemonade and hot tea are provided for dine-in, and the staff are very friendly 💖
Yipin House is a Taiwanese-style Japanese restaurant located in the city center. The atmosphere inside is very homey, giving you a leisurely feeling as if you were dining at home, and during dinner hours, you might see the owner's child doing homework nearby.
In terms of food, the curry has a slightly sweet flavor, and the pork is boiled, maintaining a distinctly Taiwanese taste, which may not be particularly impressive. The grilled mackerel set meal has better value for money, offering half a grilled mackerel along with seasonal soup and vegetables, making it a decent option for filling your stomach.
Overall, if you're looking for exquisite Japanese set meals, I wouldn't recommend coming here. However, if you're after high-value Taiwanese-Japanese cuisine, this place is a good choice.
After class at the driving school, not knowing what to eat, I started wandering randomly and found a simply decorated but nice-looking restaurant. Since I wanted to have a rice bowl, I walked in.
The staff had a great attitude—despite the many customers, they kept smiling. The only downside was that the space inside the restaurant was quite small. That day, I opted for takeout, and there were a lot of customers, so I waited for about 30-40 minutes. However, the staff was very polite and always smiling, which eased my anxious feelings. There were indeed a lot of customers, so it's best to call ahead for takeout.
As for the rice bowl, I personally found it average—not particularly standout, but also not bad. There was a large portion of daikon soup (a complimentary soup!), which was lightly seasoned and had two large pieces of daikon. Eating it together, I still felt full!
Next time, I’ll try their hot pot noodles; it seems everyone else was ordering that, haha!
The service attitude makes me want to come back. However, the seating is really limited, whether it's people standing and waiting for takeout or customers enjoying their meals. It might feel a bit cramped. (And during peak hours, you might have to wait a bit longer!)
"His hand roll was so impressive that it caught my eye; at least it's something I want to eat again after trying it! 🤣" by Older Sister
<About the Meal 🥣>
I ordered a pork chop rice bowl, a shrimp hand roll, and miso soup.
The miso soup tasted quite good, it went well with rice and wasn't too salty.
The pork chop rice bowl was quite large, and the pork chop was fried just right; the egg on top was the finishing touch, adding some layers to the texture. By the end, I didn't feel sick of it, making it quite a nice meal for me.
As for the shrimp hand roll mentioned at the beginning, the most memorable part was the powder sprinkled on top (I forgot the name of the powder at the moment and didn't think to ask 🫠). It tasted a bit sweet, and since the hand roll was served in a sweet cone, I found it quite interesting. After finishing the hand roll, I could still enjoy the cone wafer!
<About the Staff 👨🍳>
There wasn't much interaction between the staff and the customers; they mostly stayed busy at the counter. 😂
<About the Environment 🐾>
The environment was fairly clean, and the lighting was a bit dim; I personally think it could be a bit brighter for a more comfortable stay.
There wasn't much space for parking at the entrance, so it might be more convenient to go to a nearby parking lot.
📎 Tainan【Sunday Omurice】
🥗 Sunday Okinawa Taco Rice 300
Highly recommended! It looks like a salad on the surface, but inside there’s actually meat sauce, white rice, and corn chips, combined with cherry tomatoes, lettuce leaves, cabbage shreds, and olives. When mixed with raw egg yolk, it is super satisfying in one bite. The combination of sour, salty, and spicy flavors is completely not overwhelming, and before you know it, it's all gone...
🥠 Japanese Fried Tofu 120
The fried tofu is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, served hot! It’s delicious and refreshing when dipped in sesame sauce along with bonito flakes!
🍛 Chicken Karaage Curry Omurice 280
🦪 Clam Sake Steamed Udon 360
My companions found the dishes delicious, and the decor and atmosphere were quite nice, with a hint of traditional Japanese house flavor. However, I personally think the prices are a bit high, and the space in the restaurant is not large. The three of us could only squeeze at the bar and couldn’t switch to a table, making it more suitable for 1-2 people dining.
*Reservations are not allowed, only on-site waiting.
🔍 No. 24, Lane 158, Yule Street, East District, Tainan City
🔅 Actual dining date: 2024/08/07
*Photos cannot be reproduced or used for commercial purposes without permission.
A small shop hidden in an alley, very inconspicuous (no large sign). Upon entering, I found the atmosphere quite comfortable, creating a stark contrast with the surrounding residential area. The items I ordered were a bit difficult to categorize; there was Taiwanese braised pork and mixed noodles, but also Japanese-style char siu and curry.
▪️ Fried Chicken Set Meal $240 · Choice of Miso Soup
The rice is Taiwanese rice, quite delicious, cooked just right, distinct grains and well-rounded. The fried chicken is very Japanese-style, juicy but not greasy. There was a good amount of shredded cabbage, and I really liked the sesame sauce it came with, very tasty. The side dishes that day were cold papaya and seaweed salad, both were quite delicious and appetizing, perfect for pairing with rice. The miso soup was simple and enjoyable.
▪️ Char Siu and Scallion Oil Dry Ramen Set $160
· Drink originally included Earl Grey Tea, swapped for Matcha Latte +$45
This was my friend's main dish. The noodle thickness was quite good, but for me, it was a bit soft and lacked chewiness. The seasoning was average, and I didn't get to taste the char siu, so I can't comment on that, but my friend who enjoys noodles thought it was delicious. The matcha latte had a milky taste but not enough matcha flavor, wouldn't recommend it.
After finishing the meal, I really wanted something sweet and even told my friend that they should sell a sweet pudding, and I would definitely order it 😂. Then I discovered while organizing the photos that they have sesame sweet soup with red beans!
Overall, I really liked the atmosphere of this place, but it’s not very convenient for transportation for those coming from afar. The prices are not overly cheap, with meals being on the higher end of average. Since I live nearby, I am quite willing to revisit, just putting this out for reference.
· No service charge / No restroom / Wi-Fi available
· No reservations
