AI Spot Summary
The dining experience at Yamato is mixed; the sushi and eel rice have good flavors and are worth trying, while some fish dishes lack ideal seasoning and cooking time. The cold appetizers, such as the monkfish liver and soft-shell crab, perform well, and the dessert, red bean soup with glutinous rice balls, is a stable conclusion.
The overall space and service rhythm meet the expectations of a Japanese chain store, with a more standardized environment design and atmosphere.
The service meets the stability of the chain system, with a variety of ordering options, and the overall pace is smooth.
Reviews
Daiwa is located near the National Dr. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall Station, with convenient transportation. It is a Japanese cuisine chain restaurant that reminds people of “standardization” and “stability.” The overall space and service rhythm meet the expectations of a chain system. There are many options for ordering, but the quality of the dishes varies significantly.
Among the sushi options, the avocado sushi performs excellently. The ripeness of the avocado is well-controlled, delivering a creamy texture that pairs nicely with the vinegared rice. Its clean flavor makes it the most enjoyable dish of the meal, also showcasing the kitchen's consistency in cold food preparation.
The grilled items and fish, on the other hand, are somewhat disappointing. The marlin's seasoning is not ideal, with the fish being rather dry and lacking in freshness, and the cooking time is clearly off; the salmon chin also suffers from a dryness issue, where the fat fails to translate into aroma, which is a shame.
On the main course, the eel rice does redeem itself. The eel sauce is on point, the meat is tender, and the integration of the fat with the rice is high, making it a comforting bowl to finish. The udon is quite average, with decent elasticity, and a light broth that doesn't make mistakes but lacks highlights.
Among the cold dishes and appetizers, the monkfish liver performs well, offering a delicate texture with well-controlled fishy taste, and the flavor is complete when paired with the sauce; the soft-shell crab has ample meat, with a thin batter, leading to a high overall completion. The dessert, sweet red bean soup with glutinous rice balls, wraps up steadily with a creamy red bean flavor and moderately chewy rice balls, providing a comfortable ending.
Overall, Daiwa’s offerings present a mix of “highlights and pitfalls.” The sushi, eel, and some appetizers are worth ordering, while the grilled fish should be approached with caution. If you keep your expectations reasonable, you can still find a few reliable options here.
