Located in Chiayi, "Old Time Fresh Things" is a restaurant transformed from an old house, preserving the skeleton and sense of time of the old architecture in both its exterior and interior spaces. The overall environment is quiet and comfortable, making it suitable for those who are not in a hurry and want to sit down and enjoy a meal.

This time, I ordered the hamburger steak curry. The portion is just enough to feel full. The flavor of the curry is noticeably leaning towards Vermont-style curry, with a more pronounced sweetness, low spiciness, and mild aroma that is not overwhelming, making it widely acceptable. Those who enjoy strong spices or spicy curries may find it a bit conservative, but for those who prefer a mellow, non-intrusive curry, it is quite pleasing.

The hamburger steak itself has a firm texture; the juice isn't excessive, but you can still taste the meat flavor while chewing. It pairs well with the curry, avoiding dryness. The rice is cooked well, in good proportion to the curry, effectively absorbing the sauce, resulting in a good overall balance.

Overall, "Old Time Fresh Things" does not rely on extravagant dishes or strong flavors for its appeal, but rather showcases the charm of an old house atmosphere and gentle meals. If you're looking for a place in Chiayi to slow down and enjoy the charm of an old house, this would be a nice choice.

A small tourist shop not far from Chiayi Train Station,
a curry-themed restaurant housed in a renovated old building,
preserving some characteristics of the old house with its curry dishes 🍛.

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Let’s start with the conclusion:
The prices are a bit high, and I personally feel that the variety of dishes is rather low.
As for the service… my experience wasn't very good 🙂‍↔️,
but I'm not sure if it was just a specific case,
the curry was delicious 👌

I wouldn’t go back specifically, nor do I feel it’s worth recommending in particular,
but it can still be included in a dining list.

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Here comes the experience details 👀

I went for lunch on a weekday,
specifically choosing a weekday,
hoping to avoid lines and crowds 😌,
so I could dine comfortably, without urgency or rush, taking my time.

Upon entering the store, the staff led me to a corner table for two,
informing me that all other seats were fully booked,
leaving only this one,
and told me there was a 90-minute limit for dining,
then left the menu on the table and stood beside it
(with his back facing me).
I was left with a face like: ?? 🙂 ? ?

Carrying my heavy luggage,
his position made it impossible for me to set it down,
let alone sit or listen to his explanation of the menu.
(Even if I weren't carrying luggage, I still wouldn’t know what he was doing.)

Then it was just ordering, paying, and dining, quite ordinary.

Throughout my meal, I was most concerned about what the staff mentioned: “all other tables are fully booked.”
After all, I wasn’t at a popular restaurant,
nor was it a busy holiday time,
and it’s not a place where everyone could linger for a while.
I couldn’t help but wonder, “Who would book all the seats?” 🤔

However, I leisurely enjoyed my meal, filling the entire 90-minute limit,
and I had never seen this restaurant fully occupied,
even other later customers indicated they hadn’t made reservations,
and were seated normally.

🙂… I personally feel there’s no need to lie about these things,
instead, it feels like they’re trying to rush customers to leave,
which is quite unpleasant.

So, I think the curry is worth trying 💁‍♀️,
but regarding service and environment… don’t expect too much.