Michelin Guide: 2024 🌟 Green Star ☘️ Directly Sourced Local Ingredients with Taiwanese Flavor!

Every time I return to Taiwan, I have to visit a star-rated restaurant. This time, for the first time, I chose a Taiwanese cuisine restaurant, which is also one of the few establishments in Taiwan to receive the prestigious Green Star honor.

All the ingredients used are environmentally friendly and naturally cultivated, providing a fresh and delicious taste while also showing some care for the land of Taiwan.

Most Taiwanese restaurants offer family-style dining for larger groups, but here it’s rare to have the option for a set meal for one. On the day of my visit, the restaurant was about half full, with a good quality of customers. The atmosphere was quite calm, and the seating distance was just right, making for a very comfortable dining experience.

This time I ordered the dinner mid-range "Lan Personal Set Menu" priced at NT$ 2,980 + 10% service charge. Every small dish was exquisite and charming. After each dish was served, there would be a brief introduction to the ingredients and how to enjoy them. My thoughts on each dish are noted below the photos!

I don't eat a lot, and in the end, I couldn't finish everything, so I took some to go. I believe it should be enough for most people to feel satisfied. Given the positive experience, I would definitely visit again and try other signature dishes.

Shan Hai Lou specializes in handcrafted exquisite Taiwanese cuisine, using fresh local ingredients to recreate the banquet-style dishes from the 1930s. It has won a Michelin star for six consecutive years and a Michelin Green Star for four years, making it the only restaurant in Taiwan to receive both awards.

Shan Hai Lou is located on Ren'ai Road in the Zhongzheng District of Taipei City. The nearest metro station is Zhongxiao Xinsheng Station, Exit 8, which is about an 8-minute walk away.

The restaurant's decor reflects the style of a 1930s banquet hall, with wooden windows made from repurposed antiques, adorned with famous paintings and antique tables and chairs, creating an understated yet elegant atmosphere.

Today, two people dined here. Upon entering, a staff member guided us to our seats, provided a tablet to view the menu, and we ordered verbally from the staff. After the meal, we settled the bill. Payment options include cash, credit card, and multiple payment methods; invoices can also be issued with a registered receipt, and there is a service fee.

We were seated on the first floor, which accommodates 2-4 people. For larger parties, seating is at the back of the first floor or at round tables on the second floor.

Today, we ordered the "Mei" personal set meal, which costs $2380 plus 10%. Photos and thoughts on the dishes are below.

There was a bit of a wait between each course, and the servers briefly explained the name and characteristics of the dishes without being overly intrusive. The service was good, and the dining environment was quiet and comfortable throughout the meal, providing overall good value for money. The only thing to note is that the set meal does not include drinks; tea costs an additional $120 plus 10% starting price. Plus, I accidentally ate too much salty popcorn chicken this afternoon, so I can't guarantee whether the portion would be filling.