Kao Chi is a shanghai xiaolongbao restaurant in Daan, Taipei.
Kao Chi opened in 1949 and is Yongkang Street's second xiaolongbao counter in Taipei, often shorter than Din Tai Fung's queue. Bib Gourmand listed.
Signature dishes: Xiaolongbao, Sheng jian bao, Drunken chicken
Must order: Xiaolongbao, pan-fried sheng jian bao and the cold drunken chicken starter.
Tip: Open 09:30 to 14:30 and 16:30 to 21:00 daily. Walk-ins; phone reservations only for groups of six plus.
Address: No. 1, Yongkang Street, Da'an District, Taipei City 106
Shan Yuan in Taipei runs Wagyu omakase at the smokeless grill counter, with A5 cuts from Miyazaki and Kagoshima. Michelin Plate; reservations a month out.
Signature: A5 Wagyu omakase, Salt-grilled tongue, Saikoro steak
Order: Wagyu omakase with the saikoro steak as the rice course closer.
Tip: Closed Sundays. Reservations open one month ahead by phone; counter seats only.
Shin Yeh opened 1977 and writes the menu for textbook Taiwanese home cooking. Bib Gourmand, sweet-potato congee on every table, round-table family portions.
Signature: Three-cup chicken, Sweet potato congee, Stewed pork rice
Order: Three-cup chicken, sweet-potato congee and a plate of stewed pork rice.
Tip: Open 11:00 to 21:30 daily. Reservations by phone; weekday lunch is easiest. Service charge added.
Ya Ge sits inside the Mandarin Oriental Taipei and was a long-term Michelin star holder. Hangzhou-leaning modern Chinese, two-course Peking duck the marquee.
Signature: Peking duck two courses, Tea-smoked sea bass, Stir-fried Wagyu
Order: Two-course Peking duck and the tea-smoked sea bass; pair with the white-tea list.
Tip: Reserve through the Mandarin Oriental website; service charge 10 percent on the bill.
Ming Fu runs Bib Gourmand Taiwanese seafood from a wood-panel room behind Zhongshan MRT. Banquet-style sharing tables, a wine list with Burgundy depth.
Signature: Steamed grouper, Bottarga fried rice, Drunken chicken
Order: Steamed grouper of the day, bottarga fried rice, and a plate of cold drunken chicken.
Tip: Open 11:30 to 14:00 and 17:30 to 22:00 daily. Reserve by phone for the back room.
Rong Rong Yuan is the 1949-wave Sichuan-Hunan counter that fills its dining room every Taipei lunch. Bib Gourmand, mapo tofu the canonical Taipei version.
Signature: Spicy crispy chicken, Mapo tofu, Dan dan noodles
Order: Mapo tofu, dry-fried green beans, and a bowl of dan dan noodles.
Tip: Open 11:30 to 14:00 and 17:00 to 21:00 daily. Walk-ins only; turnover is fast.
Addiction Aquatic Development is a fish-market food complex in Zhongshan with a standing sushi bar, oyster bar, hot-pot room, and an excellent chirashi deli.
Signature: Standing sushi bar omakase, Live oysters, Sashimi donburi
Order: Counter omakase at the standing sushi bar or a chirashi rice bowl from the deli.
Tip: Open 06:00 to 24:00 daily for retail; sushi bar 11:00 to 22:00. Closes 02:00 Fridays and Saturdays.
Shan Yuan in Taipei runs Wagyu omakase at the smokeless grill counter, with A5 cuts from Miyazaki and Kagoshima. Michelin Plate; reservations a month out.
Signature: A5 Wagyu omakase, Salt-grilled tongue, Saikoro steak
Order: Wagyu omakase with the saikoro steak as the rice course closer.
Tip: Closed Sundays. Reservations open one month ahead by phone; counter seats only.
