📍Shilin District, Taipei City (near JianTan MRT Station)
Australia-style brunch after relocating 🦘🇦🇺

Hi mate! in Shilin has always been on my must-try list, especially with such an Australian name, but I was worried about long wait times due to their no-reservation policy.

Since they moved to a new location last year, they are conveniently right next to a popular gnocchi place, allowing you to wait for both spots and decide where to eat, which is super handy 🤣

The new decor inside has a lovely industrial vibe reminiscent of old Taiwanese houses.

You order at the counter, return your trays yourself, and there’s no service charge or time limit.

🥘
Order items:
🐃 Grilled Tender Steak ($360):
It looks fantastic and really whets your appetite.

The steak has a slightly crispy exterior and is tender inside, though the beef flavor could be a bit stronger.

The fries are well-seasoned and have the perfect crunch.

The bread has a nice wheat flavor; I recommend eating it right away as it gets a bit dry and hard when it cools down.

🥓 European-style Handcrafted Pan-fried White Sausage ($420):
The sausage has a satisfyingly meaty texture and rich aroma, while the scrambled eggs are wonderfully creamy, which is the highlight of this dish.

The seasoning on the other side dishes is also spot on, and I felt very satisfied after eating. I would definitely want to order this again next time.

🍣 Smoked Salmon (a la carte):
Neither of the two combos included smoked salmon, and the serving was a bit small, so I suggest pairing it with a combo meal.

🍄
Would I revisit? Yes!
The food quality is quite good, though it's slightly unfortunate that drinks aren’t included with the combo meals, making it a bit pricey.

✏️
Note:
🔸 Cash only 💰

This time I visited the well-reviewed brunch spot "HI MATE!" that doesn't have a time limit for dining. They open at 10 AM, so for those who want to eat there, remember to arrive early! 😎 The first batch of customers can enter without waiting, but if you wait for the second batch, you might have to wait a long time QQ. We arrived on a Sunday morning just after 10 AM and ended up waiting over an hour to eat 😭.

There are actually quite a few seats for dining in, but because the restaurant doesn't limit the dining time, it's hard to determine when you'll get a seat. 🤣

1. Florida Sunrise Cheese Beef
   Price: $185
   I think this is really good! 🤤 It’s tasty, and the portion is very generous. The filling is also packed! The doneness of the egg is just right, and it’s not dry at all. The beef paired with the restaurant's seasonings is slightly spicy and aromatic! The caramelized onions and green jalapeños add moisture – the whole dish feels very satisfying and filling. 👍🏻

2. Australian Great Barrier Reef Platter
   Price: $495
   Super plentiful! 😝 It includes steak, chicken thigh, and thick bacon. The steak is very tender and easy to bite through! I think the steak is really delicious. The chicken thigh has a crispy skin and is juicy, while the thick bacon is average. The other sides are quite tasty as well. 😋

Overall, I think although the wait time was a bit long, it's fortunate that this place is not expensive and also delicious!

Taipei Jian Tan - A brunch place with high-quality meals, no time limit if you make a reservation in advance.

📍Classic Backpacker NT$275
🌕🌕🌕🌕🌘
Contents: sourdough bread, salad, scrambled eggs, avocado mash with sautéed mushrooms, roasted tomato.
The bread is toasted to a crisp and spread with butter. The salad has citrus segments which are a great plus, and the slight sweetness and acidity of the yogurt dressing are refreshing. The scrambled eggs are perfect, and the avocado mash has a hint of spice, but the flavor is excellent. The sautéed mushrooms are well-seasoned. The roasted tomatoes are sizzling when served. This dish is very healthy and vegetarian-friendly.

📍Seared Tender Steak NT$310
🌕🌕🌕🌕🌖
Contents: tender shoulder steak, fried items, sourdough bread, sunny-side-up egg, mixed greens.
The seared steak is incredibly tender and the meat is substantial, feeling like sous-vide cooking, topped with garlic slices—superb! The fried item is fries, which are a little drier but very crispy! The sunny-side-up egg is cooked perfectly.

📍All meals are served with black tea:
The sweetness and amount of ice cannot be adjusted; it tastes alright, not too bitter, just a bit sweet.

▶️ Environment
🔹 Indoor seating is acceptable, expected to accommodate 25-30 people.
🔹 Foreign-themed, with walls covered in Australian postcards.
🔹 Self-service drinking water available.
🔹 Self-service utensils.
🔹 Backpack storage baskets available.

▶️ Friendly Reminder
🔹 It is advisable to call ahead and make a reservation.
🔹 Only accepts cash (no receipts).
🔹 Guests must clean up after themselves.