Tag: Taiwanese

HotStar Chicken

Rating
10/10

Wait
5 Minutes

Value
$3 per dish

Where
Taipei

Large Fried Chicken
The original gigantic fried chicken snack. Imagine a chicken pounded to about a 1/4″ thick and 1′ in diameter. What’s makes the fried chicken great is the unique breading which is crunchy, light, and fluffy. The seasoning is on point and I opted for the spice powder which adds a nice kick. The only issue I have with the fried chicken is the bones are still intact – and boy are there a lot of bones. I believe without the bones the meal would be a lot cleaner and easier to eat towards the end.

HotStar is the original maker of the Large Fried Chicken. The stalls are easily noticeable with its baby blue signage. The Large Fried Chicken has become one of the most popular snacks in Shilin Night Market, with massive lines to prove it. They have a couple spots scattered around the market so it’s worth a walk around to find the shorter line. However, the line moves quickly and the ordering regiment is efficient. And for only $70NT ($2 USD), it’s definitely worth the wait as one piece is enough for a meal.

Website – http://www.hot-star.tw/

Taiwan Bento

Rating
8.5/10

Wait
5 Minutes

Value
$11 per dish

Where
SF

Beef Noodle Soup
For me the broth is the most important part of the Beef Noodle Soup. Taiwan Bento’s broth has depth and a rich flavor with a note of sweetness from the relish. The noodles are medium thickness and cooked to the perfect “QQ” consistency. To nitpick, it would be awesome if some pieces of beef tendon could be thrown into the mix. 

Braised Pork Bento
A must order if you love pork belly. The pork belly consistency is perfect, the flavors are complex with savory mixed with a touch of sweetness, and the portions are quite generous. A nice addition to the braised pork is the cilantro garnish, which makes the overall dish feel a bit light and refreshing. The only random thing about the bento box is the edamame, not to sure why it’s added. 

When someone mentions a Taiwanese restaurant, you can count on me being there ASAP. We quickly headed over to the East Bay, and to our excitement Taiwan Bento serves up classic Taiwanese dishes. The menu has a good mixture of street market food like the Taiwanese Sausage, traditional dishes like Beef Noodle Soup, and the all to known Taiwanese soft drink Apple Sidra. 

What is quite noticeable about Taiwan Bento is how quick the service is. We probably received our order of Braised Pork Bento and Beef Noodle Soup within 5 minutes of ordering. Although we came on a weekend, I can imagine during a lunch rush hour the fast service can be a godsend. Don’t let the “quick service” deter you because the food is delicious. It hits all the right spots with flavor, generous portions, and affordable prices. 

Although the food is amazing, the overall space is a bit lacking. The space is lofted and if you’re sitting on the second floor and look down, you can see gigantic cobwebs between each of the beams. It seems as if they have never cleaned or dusted the space. Also, the area where the trays and dishes are returned seem to pile up and become a unsightly mess. It’s understandable that Taiwan Bento is a fast-casual take out joint, and also that not everyone has the luxury or budget to create an impressive space. However, simple things like keeping the space clean and managing the trash can have a significant impact on the dining experience. 

Overall, Taiwan Bento is a great restaurant with good tasting traditional Taiwanese food. I can’t wait to find another excuse to head back to the East Bay to try the other items on the menu. Hopefully by then, Taiwan Bento spruces up the interior a bit.

Website – http://www.taiwanbento.us