Chinese$$daanDaily 09:30-22:30
Kao Chi on Yongkang St in Da'an is the 1949 xiaolongbao counter that runs the shorter queue alternative to Din Tai Fung two doors down the street.
Why locals love it: Yongkang Street's second xiaolongbao counter, opened 1949, shorter queue than Din Tai Fung two doors down.
Tip: Walk-in; phone reservations for six plus.
Taiwanese$$zhongzhengDaily 11:30-14:30, 17:30-22:00
Mountain and Sea House on Ren'ai Rd is the restored Japanese-era mansion in Taipei reviving 1930s Taiwanese banquet cuisine for a quiet local crowd.
Why locals love it: A restored Japanese-era mansion on Ren'ai Road in Taipei reviving 1930s Taiwanese banquet cuisine, often missed for the louder Le Palais.
Tip: Closed Mondays. Reserve through the operator's site.
Sichuan$$zhongzhengDaily 11:30-14:00, 17:30-21:30
Rong Rong Yuan is a 1949-wave sichuan-hunanese counter tucked off hangzhou south road, mapo tofu and dan dan canon for locals who skip the yongkang queues.
Why locals love it: A 1949-wave Sichuan-Hunanese counter tucked off Hangzhou South Road, mapo tofu and dan dan canon for locals who skip the Yongkang queues.
Tip: Walk-ins only; turnover is fast.
Japanese$$daanDaily 11:30-21:00
Qing Tian 76 on Qingtian St in Da'an is the 1931 Japanese professor's house serving Showa-era tatami-floor set lunches in a quiet residential lane.
Why locals love it: A 1931 Japanese professor's house in Da'an now serves Showa-era set lunches on tatami floors, hidden in a residential lane off Qingtian Street.
Tip: Phone reservation required. Closed Mondays.
Japanese$$daan
Wisteria Tea House is a 1920s japanese timber house turned into taiwan's pro-democracy gathering place and now serves aged oolong from the cellar.
Why locals love it: A 1920s Japanese timber house turned into Taiwan's pro-democracy gathering place and now serves aged oolong from the cellar.
Tip: Open 10:00-22:00, closed Mondays. Reservation by phone; two-hour minimum.
Chinese$$zhongzhengMon-Sat 08:00-20:00
Liu Shan Dong Beef Noodles: 1949 Shandong-lineage beef noodle counter on Kaifeng Street near Taipei Main, tiny street-level room locals defend.
Why locals love it: 1949 Shandong-lineage beef noodle counter on Kaifeng Street near Taipei Main, tiny street-level room locals defend.
Tip: Open 08:00-19:30, closed Sundays. Cash only.