挽肉と米 台北華山
The Japanese-style hamburger ranked restaurant is a unique experience worth trying, but it may only be worth it once.
Although it is no longer difficult to make a reservation, you still need to book and pay a few days in advance, as arriving on the day may find it fully booked. Early reservations were made through the agency Fukinji Group's own e-commerce website, but they have since switched entirely to a platform where bookings can be made using just a mobile phone number.
Unlike typical restaurants, this establishment has fixed service periods and limits the number of customers, ensuring a complete experience during the service period. The downside is that even if you arrive on time, you still have to wait outside for the server to call your number, entering one by one to use the ordering machine.
The decor and music atmosphere inside are quite nice, playing songs from PRINCESS PRINCESS's 2012 mix album, maintaining a retro vibe from that era in Japan.
Throughout the dining process, there are three hamburger patties, each weighing only 90 grams, which is not a large portion. However, the chef seems to observe the individual customers' dining speeds and adjusts the pace of serving the hamburger patties accordingly. They can watch how quickly guests eat and still manage to create a satisfying experience. The restaurant recommends trying the three patties with different eating methods, including eating them plain, adding condiments, or combining with raw eggs and rice. There are many condiment options, and the yuzu vinegar with shredded daikon radish is especially recommended, providing a strong citrus flavor without being too sour, which complements the fatty wagyu hamburger patties perfectly.
The Taiwanese version of the minced meat and rice uses Kagoshima A5 wagyu due to Japan's export regulations, leading to a higher price point (NT$650 per person). In contrast, the original version using domestically produced Japanese beef costs only 1,820 yen, likely offering a less greasy taste and being more affordable, which might be a better option.