【Foodholic Niko@Taipei】

"The Wide Rice Diner" is a small restaurant that specializes in "fried rice dishes," selling a variety of extravagant fried rice options. It is located near the Xingtian Temple Station, just a 4-minute walk from Exit 1, and it has been on my list for a long time.

The store is not large, but business is quite good. I rushed over right when it opened at 5:30 PM on Sunday, only to find that it was already 5:35 PM and there was only one table left for dine-in.

Why do I call it extravagant fried rice? Their fried rice can mainly be divided into two categories. One type is paired with large main ingredients, such as fried pork chops, fried chicken legs, etc., with prices ranging from $180 to $270. The other type features luxurious ingredients that are hard to associate with fried rice, such as crab roe, salmon roe, and truffle, with a price range that varies widely, from $325 to $775.

On my first visit, I saw fried rice costing over three hundred dollars and couldn't bring myself to order it. So, I decided to try the basic dish "Signature Skill-Test Fried Rice," with one portion featuring fried pork chops and another with fried chicken legs, both for $180.

First, let's talk about the fried rice itself.
The fried rice is similar to that from Din Tai Fung, the simplest kind of egg fried rice, with only eggs and rice. It feels like it's mostly fried with salt, and there’s not much soy sauce added. It's tasty, and the egg flavor comes through; however, I personally prefer the type of fried rice that includes onions, green onions, and more soy sauce, similar to that served in a typical stir-fry shop. So, for me, it’s an 80 out of 100 but lacks any surprises.
P.S. There’s a bit of shrimp roe on the fried rice that can be mixed in, which I think neither detracts nor adds to the dish, a bit lackluster.

Next, let's discuss the main fried items.
I personally didn't think much of them. The fried chicken leg, although deliciously crispy, had meat that was a bit tough and dry, and there wasn't much meat. The fried pork chop was relatively soft and came with a pork chop sauce for self-serving. However, I got bored of the flavor after just a few bites and couldn't finish the whole serving.

The advantage is that the portions are really generous, and I felt quite full after eating.

Overall, while it’s not bad food, I wouldn't be motivated to specifically come back for it. If we’re talking about fried rice, there are better options nearby. Plus, because this restaurant is quite popular, I wouldn’t even consider it if I had to wait in line.