Taipei Ximending - Taiwanese Japanese Cuisine

MK
Dec 11, 2025
3 min read

Taiwanese people love Japanese food primarily because it's delicious, healthy, and refined, incorporating local flavors (Taiwanese-style Japanese cuisine). The close cultural exchange and geographical proximity between Taiwan and Japan have also contributed to the popularity of Japanese food in Taiwan. From high-end ryotei (traditional Japanese restaurants) to affordable set meals, it caters to diverse needs. Its roots were planted during the early Japanese colonial period and it remains a mainstream cuisine today.

Taiwan has developed a unique "Taiwanese-style Japanese cuisine," incorporating Taiwanese elements such as stir-fried vegetables and salmon miso soup. It's characterized by generous portions, high value for money, and a closer connection to Taiwanese tastes and habits. Many long-established Japanese restaurants offer a warm, welcoming atmosphere and a nostalgic ambiance, attracting customers of all ages.

Ximending is Taipei's most vibrant nightlife area, and it boasts a plethora of Japanese-style restaurants. Today, we'll introduce three distinctive Taiwanese-style Japanese restaurants in Ximending.

美觀園 Meiguan Yuan

Established in 1946, Meiguan Yuan is a popular Japanese restaurant in Ximending, a 70-year-old establishment. Meiguan Yuan has two locations, conveniently situated across the street from each other. Located about a two-minute walk from Exit 6 of Ximen MRT Station, this area is easily accessible. It's the liveliest part of Ximending, offering a diverse range of cuisines, including Japanese set meals, rice bowls, sushi rolls, sashimi, cold dishes, fried and grilled items, as well as Taiwanese stir-fries and traditional fast food—over 80 items in total.

▲Signature fast food dishes are filling meals.

▲ Large, satisfying draft beer

▲Fresh oysters from Japan

▲Five-Flavor Abalone

No. 36 and 47, Emei Street, Wanhua District, Taipei City (There is a map at the bottom.)

大車輪火車壽司 Big Wheel

Da Che Lun (Big Wheel) Train Sushi, established in 1976 and now located in Ximending, Taipei, is the original owner of Da Che Lun Japanese Restaurant. It's Taiwan's first themed Japanese restaurant with a train-like conveyor belt sushi concept. Its train carries freshly made Japanese dishes and sushi around the first-floor counter, with prices indicated by the color of the plates. The second floor primarily serves at large tables, featuring a unique display of samurai armor.

▲The miso soup from the large wheel is delicious; it contains red and white radishes and greens, giving it a sweet, vegetable flavor.

▲The bento boxes come in four styles and are highly recommended.

▲Freshly made sushi

No. 53, Emei Street, Wanhua District, Taipei City (There is a map at the bottom.)

The XTRA Grande thermos keeps sake at its optimal temperature when consumed.

三味食堂 Three flavors Canteen

Established in 1997, is now run by the second generation. The founder studied Japanese cuisine in Tokyo for two years and worked at a top-tier kaiseki restaurant in Japan after returning to Taiwan. He is familiar with Japanese cuisine and the selection and pairing of ingredients before opening his own Japanese restaurant. The restaurant offers raw, stir-fried, deep-fried, and grilled dishes. The food is not elaborate but known for its large portions and high cost-performance ratio. It is a representative dish of Ximending, a Taiwanese-style Japanese restaurant, so popular that Korean tourists are willing to queue up... Large portions, fresh and delicious, and economical.