Taichung is known for its excellent food and competition between restaurants here is fierce. To survive in this battlefield, restaurants must showcase their unique talents in order to attract customers. From local snacks to exquisitely prepared dishes and Western delicacies, Taichung has a variety of dining options to whet your appetite. Shanhe braised pork rice and Taichung meatballs, local snacks with a long history, are deeply loved by the people of Taichung. Dingwang Spicy Hot Pot, which is well-known across Taiwan, keeps its flagship store open until the early hours of the morning, so you can enjoy spicy hot pot at any time of day. Ding Restaurant and The Prime Grill are both star-rated restaurants in Taichung that use top-notch ingredients and provide first-class service. Hungry for meat and seafood? Kazama, where the slogan is "No Meat No Life", and Dajiang Huding Teppanyaki, which has live seafood, should be your first choice.
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Top of ONE ‒ The Landis Tauching
- Food
- Luxury
Located at the top of The Landis Tauching, this restaurant offers the highest views in downtown Taichung. The restaurant's soft music and muted lighting create a romantic atmosphere, allowing you to relax and enjoy the food and wine while being enchanted by the stunning night view outside the window. The restaurant's signature dish, the premium dry-aged steak, is made using the dry aging method, which allows enzymes to break down the proteins in the beef for 2 to 4 weeks to preserve the best part of the meat, creating the most succulent, aromatic and tender texture. Other main courses such as the pan-fried Boston lobster in cream and the slow-braised Australian lamb shank in red wine also attract lovers of fine food. Together with classic starters and soups, they create an elegant feast that will certainly satisfy your taste buds.
Location: 46th Floor, No. 532, Yingshi Rd., West Dist., Taichung City, Taiwan 403
Open: From Monday to Sunday: Lunch from 11.30 am to 2 pm Afternoon tea from 2 pm to 5 pm Dinner from 6 pm to 10.30 pm
Map - 2
The Prime ‒ Top Steak House at the Millennium Hotel Taichung
- Food
- Luxury
The Prime, located in Xitun, Taichung, is the restaurant of the 5-star Millennium Hotel Taichung. It's famous for its top-quality steaks, plump, fresh oysters and fresh Boston lobster from Japan, Australia and the United States. Located on the 24th floor, the restaurant offers a feast for the eyes and the taste buds, with outstanding cuisine and incredible night views of Taichung Phase 7. In addition to the beautiful scenery, the restaurant has a wine cellar offering a selection of red wines, white wines and champagnes from world-renowned wineries. There are few finer things in life than a fantastic meal served with a fine wine. On weekends, bands and singers perform live here, the music creating a wonderfully relaxed ambience. With top-quality ingredients and first-class service, this is a restaurant that you'll want to visit again and again.
Location: No. 77, Shizheng Rd., Xitun District, Taichung City, Taiwan, 407
Open: Lunch: daily from 11.30 am to 2.30 pm Dinner: daily from 6 pm to 11 pm
Map - 3
Taichung Meatballs
- Budget
- Food
Taichung Meatballs is an 80-year-old restaurant located in South District, Taichung. It specialises in three dishes: ba-wan, rice noodle soup and meatball soup. This time-honoured restaurant has been around since the childhood of many Taichung residents. The ba-wan has a crispy dough and contains a meat filling. Topped with a sauce made according to a unique recipe, it attracts people from far and wide. Enjoy ba-wan with a bowl of rice noodle soup or meatball soup for a simple, yet unforgettable food experience. The restaurant is extremely exacting when it comes to making its ba-wan dough. The ingredients are long grain rice, sweet potato flour and tapioca flour. The rice is first ground, made into a paste and cooked down. Once cooled, some water is added and it is mixed with the tapioca flour and sweet potato flour. This is the most important step in the process as it determines how the ba-wan will taste, and even the smallest error can completely change the flavour. It therefore demands the most highly skilled chefs. This traditional restaurant is an important part of Taichung's culinary heritage. Even those who aren't particularly interested in ba-wan have fond memories of this restaurant. If you're visiting Taichung, come to South District and have a taste of the delicious ba-wan that has won high praise from many people.
Location: No. 529, Sec. 3, Fuxing Rd., South District, Taichung City, Taiwan, 402
Open: Daily from 11 am to 8 pm
Mapphoto by Takoradee (CC BY-SA 3.0) modified
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Oedo-cho Live Seafood Teppanyaki
- Food
- Luxury
Oedo-cho Live Seafood Teppanyaki, located in Nantun District, Taichung, is a teppanyaki restaurant specialising in live seafood. It also serves top-quality American beef and pork to cater to its guests' different preferences and dietary requirements. The most impressive thing on the menu here is the live fresh seafood. The restaurant has live seafood areas based on "four temperatures and four waters". You can see many top-quality ingredients, such as wild sea fish from Penghu, eels farmed in Pingtung, Boston lobsters and Hokkaido hairy crabs. You can even see the South African rose lobster known as the "Rolls Royce of the Lobster World". The rarest seafood is gathered here, waiting for you to come and feast on it. You may be interested in taking one of the 18 seats in front of the teppan table, so that you can admire the master’s superb craftsmanship up close. If you are, don’t forget to book it in advance, because they are the most sought-after seats in the house.
Location: No. 1, Wenxin S. 2nd Rd., Nantun District, Taichung City, Taiwan, 408
Open: Daily from 11.30 am to 2.30 pm Daily from 5.30 pm to 10 pm
Map - 5
Mochizuki Restaurant
- Food
Located in West District, Taichung, Mochizuki Restaurant is a low-key restaurant tucked away down a quiet alley. It serves authentic Japanese cuisine without menus, including kaiseki-ryōri and set meals. It also provides business lunches on weekdays. Mochizuki Restaurant selects the freshest seasonal ingredients available from the market on the day. It combines superb cooking skills and elaborate presentation, allowing the original flavour of the ingredients to shine through. Many people fall in love with it at first bite. The restaurant is a popular celebrity haunt. Whether you prefer seafood or meat, the chefs' superb cooking skills ensure that every dish is unforgettable. The friendly proprietor and service staff treat guests like family and friends, creating a warm and intimate atmosphere. Due to the limited number of seats in the restaurant, you'll need to make a reservation if you want to experience the unique atmosphere and try the superb no-choice restaurant cuisine.
Location: No. 18, Ln. 188, Sec. 1, Meicun Rd., West District, Taichung City, Taiwan 403
Open: Daily from 11.30 am to 2.30 pm Daily from 5.30 pm to 9.30 pm
Map - 6
Bella Roma
- Food
Bella Roma, located in Xitun District, Taichung, is an Italian restaurant nestled in the heart of a large community. The restaurant's two proprietors are originally from Rome, so you can be sure of getting authentic Italian cuisine. The delicate fresh pasta, deliciously thin and crispy pizza and piquant cheese will satisfy even the most demanding taste buds. Don't be fooled by the simple interior decor ‒ the food served here is sophisticated. Ingredients such as basil, cheese and tomatoes are used to make authentic, freshly prepared Italian dishes such as pizza, calzone and panuozzo. The crispy dough and rich fillings will leave you wanting more. The restaurant's delicious Italian cuisine attracts both Taichung locals and visitors, and the restaurant is always busy. All dishes are cooked to order, so you have to be prepared to wait a little for an authentic taste of Italy.
Location: No. 27, Ln. 87, Sichuan Rd., Xitun District, Taichung City, Taiwan, 407
Open: Daily from 11.30 am to 2 pm Daily from 6 pm to 10 pm
Map - 7
Shanhe Lu Rou Fan (Second Market)
- Budget
- Food
The famous Shanhe Lu Rou Fan is located in Central District, Taichung. Its best-known speciality is braised three-layer pork rice. There's also minced pork rice and pork knuckle rice as well as various soups, including radish ball soup and jute soup. There's also a variety of side dishes for you to try. This 20-year-old restaurant opens early in the morning and closes in the afternoon. At mealtimes there's always a long queue and no empty seats. The restaurant also serves takeaway, so it's busy all the time. Unlike the braised pork rice in the north, which uses only minced pork, the braised pork rice here is a local speciality, with big chunks of stewed pork served over white rice and topped with a fragrant sauce. The combination of white rice and succulent braised pork is so delicious that you won't be able to resist the temptation to have another bowl. Shanhe Lu Rou Fan is a local institution. It's a great chance to taste delicious local food on your visit to Taichung.
Location: 2nd Market, Sec. 2, Sanmin Rd., Central District, Taichung City, Taiwan, 400
Open: Daily from 5.30 am to 3 pm
Map - 8
Kazama Yakiniku
- Food
Located in Nantun District, Taichung, Kazama Yakiniku is a well-known local barbecue restaurant. In keeping with the restaurant's slogan "No Meat No Life", you can enjoy top-quality meat such as Japanese Wagyu, Australian Wagyu and Black Angus beef here. This restaurant is an absolute paradise for meat lovers. The beef served here is deliciously soft and tender. Friendly waiters will cook it for you at the table. There are generous set meals and à la carte dishes. You'll find yourself wishing that you had more stomachs so that you can try everything. Kazama Yakiniku is the top choice among the various barbecue restaurants in Taichung. It's loved not only by locals, but also by visitors from all over the world. The only possible drawback is not being able to finish the huge portions.
Location: No. 171-1, Sec. 2, Gongyi Rd., Nantun District, Taichung City, Taiwan 408
Open: Daily from 11.30 am to 4 pm Daily from 5.30 pm to 12 am
Mapphoto by Miyuki Meinaka (CC BY-SA 4.0) modified
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Tripod King
- Food
Tripod King, which started as a stall at a night market, has now become one of Taiwan’s most symbolic spicy hot pot brands, with the founding restaurant located in Nantun District, Taichung. It's open until 6 am, so you can enjoy spicy hot pot at any time. Tripod King offers three types of hot pot: the classic spicy hot pot, pickled cabbage and pork hot pot and hot pot with twin flavours that gives you the chance to try both. The soup of the spicy hot pot, simmered with butter, fruit, vegetables and Chinese herbs, has a strong aroma and excellent flavour. The pickled cabbage and pork hot pot is sour with a refreshing hint of sweetness. The hot pot with twin flavours gives you the best of both worlds, blending spicy and hot with sour and sweet, and is the restaurant's most popular dish. In addition to hot pot, Tripod King offers an amazing selection of side dishes. The soft duck blood curd and tofu are extremely popular, and are served along with a variety of hot pot ingredients such as meat, dumplings and fresh vegetables. After a meal here you'll leave feeling more than satisified.
Location: Gong Yi Rd. Store: No. 42, Sec. 2, Gongyi Rd., Nantun District, Taichung City, Taiwan 408
Open: Daily from 11.30 am to 6 am
Map - 10
Karuizawa
- Food
Karuizawa, which originated in Yuanlin, Changhua, is the most popular hot pot restaurant in Taichung. Its huge range of flavours and ingredients make it much loved by locals. The restaurant offers a variety of soups, including Japanese-style, miso and sukiyaki, served with top-quality beef, pork, fresh fish and tender chicken. Although considered a budget restaurant, Karuizawa is known for its high-quality ingredients and delicious soup. With attentive and friendly service, the restaurant attracts huge numbers of customers, who are willing to wait in a long queue. It's one of the most popular hot pot restaurants on Gongyi Road in Taichung. In addition to high-quality ingredients and attentive service, the restaurant also offers a spacious and comfortable dining space. There is a general dining area along with several private rooms. Whether you come here alone or with friends or family, you can enjoy your meal in a relaxing dining environment.
Location: Restaurant on Gongyi Road: No. 276, Gongyi Rd., West District, Taichung City, Taiwan 403
Open: Daily from 11 am to 1 am
Mapphoto by pelican (CC BY-SA 2.0) modified