Location: Xinyi District, Taipei City
It's a restaurant inside the Breeze Xinyi department store. My boyfriend really wanted to try Korean potato rib soup, and after seeing a video on his phone, we decided to come and give it a try. Once we got inside, we found out it's from the same group as the famous Noodle Shop. You can tell it’s a new brand and the decor looks very fresh inside and out.
🌟 Potato Rib Soup (Spicy)
The chili sauce gives the soup a very strong flavor. Overall, it’s good, but it’s hard to drink for a long time without needing water. I suggest first-timers or those who prefer milder flavors to go for the original flavor instead — I think it would be more familiar. The meat on the ribs is cooked very tender, and for someone lazy like me, I can just use chopsticks to pull it apart; the meat separates easily from the bone. I personally think it’s quite good! 🤣🤣🤣
🌟 Seafood Pancake
Pancakes are my favorite when it comes to Korean cuisine. Their pancakes are very crispy on the outside with soft seafood filling inside. I really like it!
🌟 Vegetable Wrapped Meat
The meat is pork belly, so you can see it’s loaded with fat. Ever since I ate grilled pork belly in Korea, I haven't been as afraid of fatty meat. However, this dish seems to have been taken out after cooking, which causes it to cool down while eating, making the oiliness more pronounced. That's a bit of a pity.
Overall, the prices are typical for a department store restaurant, and the food is quite simple. Additionally, there are four types of Korean side dishes that you can help yourself to. I think it's quite nice and would recommend it to those who enjoy Korean cuisine!
This 24-hour restaurant is very close to my hotel. After we arrived at the hotel from the airport, we came out to look for food and immediately set our eyes on this local Korean snack shop. The restaurant uses a self-service ordering system; after ordering on the iPad, you can directly insert your credit card to make a payment, which is very advanced! If there are any issues, there is an owner in the restaurant who can assist with questions. Although their English isn't great, they can mostly understand! The speed of serving the dishes is also very fast, which is great for someone who is very hungry.
We ordered:
❤️ Seaweed Rolls
Every time I eat seaweed rolls in Korea, I find it strange how they are all so delicious, whereas in Taiwan, you have to pay extra for the sauce, and even the rice is made to feel like plain rice. It doesn't have the stickiness that they have in Korea, but they don't clump together, making the Korean seaweed rolls inexplicably delicious! This place is no exception, and they have many fillings to choose from, as well as the option to order one or two rolls. My friend and I ordered one roll and a bowl of ramen, and we couldn't finish it! If you have a small appetite, you might want to consider this!
❤️ Tteok Ramen 🍜
Korea truly deserves to be called the kingdom of instant noodles; no matter what they add to the noodles, I find it delicious. Even when they just added ordinary tteok (rice cake) and cheese, I felt the overall flavor was great! Although it’s a bit spicy, those who don’t eat spicy food might end up with a runny nose. But eating a hot bowl of ramen in this weather feels really comfortable!
I later went back to this restaurant when I was leaving Gangnam. Since it’s open 24 hours, I even had it for breakfast! So overall, I highly recommend this restaurant: simple, cheap, and tasty! If you're staying nearby, you should definitely give it a try!
This restaurant near Myeongdong is open quite late, and while walking by, you will often see staff trying to attract customers. If you're thinking about having dinner very late, it's easy to be drawn in! Once you enter the restaurant, you can really feel the warm hospitality from the aunties. There are also staff members who can speak Chinese and English.
We ordered the dishes we had been eyeing outside 🍴
❤️ Seafood Pancake
The seafood pancake here is a bit different from the ones in Taiwan; the Taiwanese version has a crispier exterior, while this one is softer and more like a batter. However, the small shrimp used in it aren't too stingy, though they do give relatively less octopus. While this does affect the texture, it's still quite tasty! Personally, I prefer the dipping sauce in Taiwan, which has a slightly sweet and sour taste!
❤️ Clam Soybean Paste Soup
This might seem non-spicy, but it actually has a bit of a kick 🌶️. Even for my friend, who can't handle any spice at all, it was still somewhat acceptable! However, the clams aren’t large; they are the kind used for making soup. Personally, I think this dish is just average.
I personally think this restaurant is okay, but my friend has considered going back, perhaps because the prices are pretty reasonable, and they are still open quite late. I think it’s not worth making a special trip just for this, but if all other restaurants are closed when it's really late, it might be worth considering!
A few days ago, I found out there were still spots available for online reservations, and the Google reviews looked good, so I immediately made a booking! (You can use inline booking.)
On that day, because my class was delayed, I ended up changing our reservation time over the phone twice to avoid being late.
As soon as we arrived at the entrance, we saw the shop's sign. The decor outside looked very comfortable, and the choice of lighting gave a warm feeling. Our reservation for two was arranged at a table for four, and it felt really comfy! (Seeing the four-person arrangement instantly scored points!)
After we were seated, we were served three plates of Korean side dishes, all of which can be refilled for free (I love Korean side dishes!). My favorite was the pomelo radish; it was refreshing and not too sour!
Ordering inside the restaurant is done directly via a QR code. We both wanted to eat everything. After looking around, we finally ordered the couple's set menu (I was worried that the portions would be too much and we couldn't finish, but later realized I was just worried for nothing).
The price for the couple's set menu is 1520.
Set Menu Item 1: Tofu Hotpot
There are so many options for the tofu hotpot! We were confused and didn't know which one to choose. They have a regular tofu hotpot (which can include vegetables, beef, pork, or seafood), kimchi cheese series, meat paired with seafood tofu hotpot, as well as pumpkin tofu hotpot, curry tofu hotpot, and tomato series tofu hotpot.
Set Menu Item 2: Half a Beef Ribeye Steak
Set Menu Item 3: Stone Pot Bibimbap (vegetable, beef, or pork options)
Set Menu Item 4: Mini Oyster Chives Pancake or Mini Kimchi Pancake
Set Menu Item 5: Steamed Egg Soup (regular steamed egg soup, cheese steamed egg soup, shrimp roe steamed egg soup, Korean crab meat steamed egg soup)
Set Menu Item 6: Two Drinks (Coke, Sprite, black tea, green tea, chamomile tea, mint tea, pear juice, peach juice, grape juice, plum juice, pear soda, watermelon soda, plum soda, melon soda, American coffee, latte)
The tofu hotpot was not too salty, and it had a lot of ingredients! (Full of tofu—there was also a generous portion of meat!) The rich broth made me sneak a few sips!
As for the beef ribeye, it was indeed half a portion, and the meat was tender with just the right texture; it tasted delicious (but half a portion really did feel a bit small...).
The mini kimchi pancake was really tiny, but the pancake skin was very aromatic and delicious (it's a thicker type of pancake). Later, while chatting, I forgot to finish it first. It was still really tasty even after it cooled down.
What I love most about Korean cuisine is the steamed egg soup! I always have to order it whenever I go to Korea or eat Korean food! This time, I ordered the one with shrimp roe, which greatly enhanced the texture and richness. The steamed egg itself was still very fluffy and smooth (please be careful! It's very hot!).
As for the drinks, I wonder if it's trendy now: they just give you a pull-tab can beverage along with a cup, and you can pour it yourself.
Overall, the meal was not bad, but I felt the value of the couple's set menu wasn’t very high...
Splitting the cost, it comes out to about 800 per person, but the portions felt a bit small (if you have someone who eats a lot, they might not feel full).
Maybe in the future, I could try ordering individual dishes to get normal portion sizes; the price might not differ too much in the end?
This Korean restaurant can be considered a low-key gem at the corner 🇰🇷.
The first-generation owner is Korean, and his wife is Taiwanese. Together, they have been running this authentic Korean restaurant for over 20 years, and now the next generation is also helping out in the store.
Goryeo House, which has been in operation for a long time, might give off an old-fashioned vibe with its somewhat outdated appearance, but I think their food has an authentic Korean flavor.
Upon entering the restaurant, you’ll see a large aquarium filled with dozens of goldfish. There aren’t many seats, and many diners seem to be regulars, enjoying leisurely chats while seated. Their menu offers quite a few items, including set combinations for two.
This time, my friend and I opted for the NT$850 set for two:
✪ Stone Pot Bibimbap (Pork)
✪ Plate Grilled Meat (Pork)
✪ Seafood Pancake
This combination is actually quite filling! I particularly loved their plate grilled meat and seafood pancake. The grilled meat is specially marinated, and when cooked on the plate, it turns out very fragrant and flavorful. The meat juices from the plate also seep into the surrounding hot pot broth, adding a lot of flavor to it. The hot pot ingredients around the grilled meat included all my favorites like bok choy, cabbage, vermicelli, rice cakes, tofu skin, and enoki mushrooms.
I highly recommend the seafood pancake! It truly contains octopus legs, and when eaten hot, it’s not too greasy. I love the thick and soft texture of their pancake, which isn’t overly batter-heavy.
The stone pot bibimbap is a very standard Korean dish that can be mixed with spicy sauce. Those who enjoy a bit more crust on the bottom can mix it more slowly. The portion for two sharing a bowl of stone pot bibimbap is just right!
The restaurant also offers unlimited free bean sprouts soup, and there are five types of side dishes that can also be refilled.
Overall, the dining atmosphere is very relaxed and enjoyable, and they don’t rush customers, allowing you to savor the authentic Korean cuisine in the alley at your leisure! It feels like if the restaurant was renovated or had a better social media presence, it would attract even more customers.
My first experience at the Mira Group's brand, Jin Chun Hee Korean Kitchen, was truly impressive! As a dedicated Korean cuisine restaurant, the food here is not only authentic but also adds a touch of elegance and care.
What amazed me the most was their pork soup rice. The grilled slices of pork belly blend into the broth, emitting a rich and enticing aroma, paired with a clear, refreshing, and non-greasy soup base that has no porky smell. They even provide dried shrimp to customize the broth according to personal taste, adding a detail that allows each bite to experience different flavors.
The Korean fried chicken is also outstanding. The crispy golden exterior complements the tender, juicy chicken, making it hard to stop after one bite. Especially with the uniquely Korean sweet and spicy sauce, the salty-sweet blend of flavors instantly transports you to the streets of Korea.
Jin Chun Hee Korean Kitchen not only showcases a focus on Korean dishes but also creates a relaxing atmosphere in the restaurant, making it a great place to gather with family and friends.
The first time eating here, I didn’t expect it to taste so good. You can enjoy an all-you-can-eat selection of side dishes with the tofu hotpot, and you serve yourself. At the end, there’s even ice cream for dessert.
I ordered the seaweed and fresh oyster soft tofu hotpot, which is quite light. The broth is tasty and not too salty, with a milder flavor. The oysters are not too small and the quantity is sufficient. The seaweed is very special and pairs well with the soup. There’s a lot of tofu, and it also comes with a raw egg. If you don’t eat raw eggs, you can choose egg drop instead, which is very considerate.
They also provide mixed rice served in a cast iron pot, with a thin layer of egg on the bottom. It tastes great when you mix it with the side dishes. There are six different types of side dishes available, which is quite a lot.
Ordering is done by scanning a QR code, and the speed of serving the dishes is quite fast; the dishes arrived before I even finished the side dishes.
The kimchi hot pot has plenty of ingredients, and the tangy flavor of the kimchi balances well with the tofu. Although the overall seasoning is a bit salty, it pairs well with rice, and the broth is rich and flavorful, making you want to keep sipping it. The side dishes are also quite tasty and can be replenished.
The kimchi pancakes, which I didn’t manage to photograph, were a bit oily and powdery, with not much kimchi flavor, which I personally didn’t enjoy too much.
A long time ago, I had eaten at a restaurant near the Ren'ai Circle that used to have long queues. I didn’t expect it to now be settled in a department store. However, revisiting after such a long time, I no longer experienced the same sense of surprise I had back then. It’s a place you would consider if you want Korean food, but it’s not somewhere that stands out in your memories. The flavors lack a memorable quality.
I happened to pass by this restaurant and thought I hadn't tried Korean cuisine in a while, so I decided to go in and have some Korean food.
First of all, this place has a nice environment; it's very clean, and the restaurant is quite spacious with bright lighting. There weren't many people, so I didn't have to wait, and there was a table available as soon as I went in.
This time I ordered cheese ramen, and the restaurant provided two small plates of side dishes. The side dishes weren't to my taste, and I gave up after two bites.
The cheese ramen I added an egg to wasn't anything special; it was quite ordinary. Overall, I probably won't visit again.
After dinner, I couldn't help but want to try some food because I had a good impression of sugar pancakes in Korea before.
Today I ordered two types. The Busan four-nut sugar pancake had a nice nutty texture, a fragrant cinnamon flavor, and was a bit too sweet. However, I usually drink sugar-free drinks, so I'm not tolerant of sweetness. This level of sweetness would probably be fine if the weather were a bit colder, or it might need to be paired with some sugar-free tea or black coffee.
I also ordered a turkey spicy sausage sugar pancake, which was sweet and savory and quite good. However, as someone who usually eats very spicy food, I felt there wasn't much spiciness (it might be my issue). The spicy sausage was crispy and tasty.
There were also savory items like spicy stir-fried rice cakes, so I’ll have to come back again to try them later.