Local Favorite: Authentic Taiwanese Dishes with Generous Portions

If you'e looking for a fine dining experience, this blog post is not for you. But if you want to get a taste of Taiwanese cuisine with bold flavors and hefty portions, continue reading. Taibeiyachu is a bit of a hidden gem. It might not have the fanciest architecture, prettiest presentation, but it's still definitely worth a visit for their menu offerings. They serve a variety of dishes from lightly steamed squid, stir-fried prawns, to beef noodles. We'll explore a few of these below.

This entrance to the restaurant hasn't changed for at least 10 years: from the little planted trees and flowers to the sliding doors and signs. The entire restaurant gives an atmosphere of "we're not trying too hard," which is when you know a restaurant is good. Taipeiyachu is a reliable lunch/dinner spot, and a lot of the neighborhood residents eat out at Taibeiyachu.

The interior is simple and clean, but to the point. With white marble tables and leather-covered chairs, the restaurant is very practical and focuses on serving good food with good service. Definitely not a great spot to party (evidently), but it's an amazing spot for a filling and delicious family lunch/dinner on the weekends.

Dishes:

Beef round is meat from the back leg of the cow. Usually, if barbequed or grilled over open fire, the meat will dry out very quickly. It's quite lean and stringy if cooked incorrectly. Don't trust any Youtube recipe that tells you how to cook beef round in "10 minutes." At Taibeiyachu, they first boil the meat to ensure that the meat becomes tender. They slice it up into thinner pieces to further ensure tenderness. Then, after they're chilled, the beef slices are dunked in a wonderful chili oil that adds to the fragrance of the dish. With Szechuan peppercorns, sesame seeds, and chives on top, it's hard to beat as an appetizer.

Steamed squid doesn't sound the most appealing. But, you have to hear me out on this one. The squid is steamed to the perfect degee. It's still chewy and hascharacteristics of a squid, but it isn't tough or hard to swallow. Dip it in the soy sauce with some wasabi, and it's a great seafood experience. They also offer another sweet and sour sauce if you really need to mask the seafood flavor. I recommend and prefer the wasabi sauce. It's bouncy with a slight hint of the sea - not a bad appetizer to try out, especially if you're a seafood lover.

Some combos just work. Basil and Pawns, for example, are a terrific combination. The prawns in the dish are plump and juicy. It seems like they fry off the shrimp in oil first before adding in the eggs, carrots, and onions. The eggs balance off the saltiness by featuring a creaminess to the dish. The onions provide the perfect crunch, and the carrrots...well they're carrots. If you can't tell, I'm not a big fan of carrots. Overall, the dish is a must-try at Taibeiyachu and works well as a main dish especially if you're avoiding meat.

Disclaimer: Photos for below dishes comes from Dazhongdianpin, a food review website, as the camera cut off. The reviews are still authentic!

The pancakes are crispy on the outside, and fluffy on the inside, packed with fresh scallion. The aroma itself is worth 18 rmb. It reminded me of Korean jeons with a similar flavor profile and recipe. As a departure from the other protein-heavy dishes, the scallion pancakes are a fabulous option. Crispy, flaky, and aromatic - scallion pancakes are an extremely popular street food in Taipei. Definitely give it a try at Taibeiyachu for a taste of Taipei street food in Shanghai.

This oyster dish, presented on a sizzling hot copper pan, packs a punch. Coated with a sticky and umami sauce, the oyster & scallion dish at Taibeiyachu brings a new twist to oysters. Usually, when we think of delicious oysters, we think of fresh, raw, shucked oysters. However, in many Asian cuisines, oysters are served steaming hot. The blend of fresh oysters, sticky and flavorful sauce, and aromatic scallions was divine.

Summary:

If you're looking for home-style Taiwanese food, Taibeiyachu is the perfect restaurant. Taiwanese food accomodates for everyone's tastes, so it's great as a family dining spot as well. Especially if you live near Pudong Qingtonglu, its a local gem that you need to try. It's not too difficult to order at either. If you're a beginner to odering food in Shanghai for Asian cuisines, Taibeiyachu is a great starting point. Why? Because (basically) everything on the menu is delicious. Make sure to mix in some seafood dishes when you oder! Overall, its a great family restaurant if you live near the location. I've personally been to Taibeiyachu at least 10 times, and never had a bad experience. Their dishes are consistently tasty and service is on-point.

Address: Qingtonglu 199 nong, no. 15