I went to Shin Taihoku, a Taiwanese restaurant under the JR viaduct in Marunouchi 3-chome, for lunch. I ordered the Muslow set meal (stir-fried wood ear mushrooms and eggs) for 900 yen. Water was self-service and there was only one cook, so it took some time. The service was not very friendly. For some reason, I got two plates of water dumplings. The Muslow and rice were very filling. The taste of Muslow was not bad. Thank you for the meal.

During lunchtime on a hot day that felt more like the end of the rainy season than the middle of it, I visited "Shintaipei" located under the elevated track along Kaji Bridge Street. It reminded me of the task I had yet to complete, which was to compare the food here with the "Shintaipei" located in the alley ahead that serves "Lu Rou Fan" (braised pork rice). I entered this place in the past, but it was my first time visiting during lunchtime. Despite many restaurants claiming to serve "Taiwanese cuisine" when they only offer Nagoya-originated pseudo-Taiwanese dishes like "Taiwan Ramen," this place had a pretty authentic selection. They even had the obligatory "Taiwan Ramen" on the menu, showing their confidence and sophistication. The restaurant is not very spacious, and I sat at a communal table where sharing seats was expected. I tried to order using the QR code on the table, but due to poor signal or issues with my device, I couldn't access it. So, I verbally ordered the "Lunch Set A (1,000 yen)" which included Lu Rou Fan, boiled greens, and glass noodle soup. The place had an array of alcoholic drinks like Baijiu, Shochu, and even whiskey that I had never seen before. I recalled receiving a unique-tasting Taiwanese whiskey as a souvenir from a former colleague who had lived in Taiwan and frequently visited. The restaurant was not heavily decorated with Chinese motifs, but there were photos of Teresa Teng on the walls, giving it a cool vibe. The highlight of the meal, the Lu Rou Fan, had a traditional appearance and a decent Chinese flavor profile, which I assumed was the authentic taste. The boiled greens turned out to be boiled komatsuna, which complemented the meal well. After comparing the two "Shintaipei" restaurants, I found this one more to my liking. This experience has piqued my interest in trying out their noodles and fried rice dishes in the future. (7/10)

We made a reservation for two at this restaurant located in a guard underpass. We had a preconception of a cluttered image, but when we entered, the interior was surprisingly (sorry!) clean and the seating was spacious. Orders were mainly placed through a smartphone, which was convenient as we didn't have to call for a server. We scanned the QR code on the table to place our orders: Pea Tofu, Pan-Fried Dumplings, Boiled Dumplings, Stir-Fried Black Fungus and Egg, and Mapo Bean Threads. The popular Pan-Fried Dumplings had a "limited quantity" warning, so we hurried to order them. They were delicious but not particularly outstanding. The Boiled Dumplings were also average. The Mapo Bean Threads had a generous portion and would be better if ordered spicier for those who enjoy heat. The best dish was the Stir-Fried Black Fungus and Egg, with plenty of black fungus, bamboo shoots, and eggs, perfectly seasoned and a great match with beer. We were planning to order rice dishes at the end, but we were both full. With about 5 beers, the total came to just under ¥8000. It was a reasonable place, reminiscent of authentic Chinatown cuisine.

"Shin Taiboku" is a popular restaurant where you can enjoy delicious Chinese cuisine. Their classic dishes like mapo tofu and shrimp chili have the perfect balance of spiciness and flavor, which keeps customers coming back for more. The restaurant is clean and the tables are spacious. The staff is friendly and efficient in taking orders and seating guests. With reasonable prices, it's known for offering great value. If you have the chance, be sure to visit "Shin Taiboku."

As expected on a Friday, I arrived at 6 pm and it was full (thanks to my reservation). It's located between Yurakucho and Tokyo Station, so I've been curious about it for a while. Making a reservation was the right choice. I couldn't get in before because it was full. I'm happy they have Taiwanese dishes like beef noodles and stir-fried water spinach that I don't usually get to eat. I used my smartphone to scan the QR code on the table and placed my order. I went there with an empty stomach, but the food was served promptly, which was great. Everything I ordered was flavorful and delicious. It goes well with alcohol. Most of the customers were in suits. It would be nice to go there after work if you're nearby. I also want to try their lunch menu.

I arrived around 12:15 and found that there were already 3 customers ahead of me. Soon after, more customers arrived and the restaurant became full. I ordered the intestines-stuffed fried rice set. The salty and rich flavor of the intestines blended well with the fluffy rice. The water dumplings were delicious when dipped in a Taiwanese-style vinegar. The meatball soup had a refreshing taste with plenty of glass noodles. The set cost 1,000 yen exactly. Although it's not a place to leisurely enjoy lunch, I really liked the flavors. I would like to try all the items on the menu.

Exploring Taiwanese cuisine in Marunouchi Guard Street, before the Taiwanese boom spread. The name "New Taipei" caught my attention, as it seems to be a popular choice for Taiwanese restaurants across various locations like Shimokitazawa and Itabashi. Located in a dimly lit area under the guard, between Tokyo Station and Yurakucho Station, the interior of the restaurant has a bright atmosphere resembling a typical Chinese eatery. The menu offers a wide variety of dishes, with the most popular being the dumplings. They also serve a variety of noodles, appetizers, stir-fried dishes, as well as Taiwanese classics like Taiwan sausage, Lu Rou Fan, and Dan Zai noodles. The restaurant doubles up as an izakaya at night, offering a range of drinks and set menus. While waiting for the dumplings, I enjoyed a beer and cold chicken appetizer. The dumplings arrived in a sizzling iron pot, with a crispy bottom and juicy, flavorful filling. For the closing dish, I ordered Taiwanese vermicelli, which had a satisfying chewy texture and was seasoned with a delicious shrimp and satay sauce. Overall, New Taipei offers a delightful balance of authentic Taiwanese flavors in a cozy setting under the train tracks, making it a hidden gem for Taiwanese cuisine enthusiasts.

After the banquet at "Mokurou," we headed towards Tokyo Station and stumbled upon another place called "Shin Taipei" in search of one last spot to eat. Looking back, it might have been a bit of a mismatch after the Chinese order buffet at the previous place. Nevertheless, after indulging in a feast at one of Nihonbashi's top Chinese restaurants, we opted for a light snack-like set here. Despite being a relatively new establishment, the food was decent and we enjoyed it without any disappointments. They even had Lu Rou Fan (Taiwanese braised pork rice) on the menu. It seems like an authentic Taiwanese restaurant, so I should visit again, whether for lunch or dinner, while sober.

The beer was Asahi. A resident of China chose dishes and ordered a la carte. When you think of Taiwan, you often think of rice noodles, but I didn't eat them that day. The pickled vegetables were unexpectedly delicious and went well with the beer. Everything had simple and delicious seasoning. The beef noodles I had as a finale reminded me of the old flavors of Hong Kong and Shanghai, it was nostalgic. Repeat rate: ☆☆☆

I don't drink, so I feel like salt is strong for me. I asked for "light on salt" when ordering and the stir-fried water spinach with eggs, stir-fried pork with wood ear mushrooms, and beef vermicelli were all delicious and mild. Oh, but you can't really make the beef vermicelli light, right? The star anise flavor is really delicious, but after the state of emergency is lifted, the tables are full and they rotate quickly. It's a good restaurant that can handle small groups and you can order a half portion for half price.

There are two "Shin Taibei" restaurants under the Yurakucho elevated walkway leading from Yurakucho to Marunouchi. Today, I went to the one near the entrance to Marunouchi and tried their famous iron pot gyoza (748 yen) and rice (302 yen), totaling 1,050 yen (although for some reason I was only charged 1,020 yen). The gyoza served in the iron pot can be described as "rough." It was like a cross between pan-fried and deep-fried gyoza, with thick and tough skins that could almost break your teeth. It's hard to say if it was delicious, but there is a rustic charm to these gyoza that makes them strangely appealing. I wouldn't necessarily recommend them to everyone, but I feel like there are people who would appreciate them. Sometimes, I just crave these gyoza for no reason. In the absence of "Milk Wontan Toritoh" and "Yakitori Ginraku," I hope that this place and "Ya Ramen" can somehow manage to stay afloat.

The menu mentioned that it serves ramen originating from Nagoya. I decided to try the Nagoya-style ramen with spicy soup at a Taiwanese restaurant. The plan was successful. The spiciness was not too strong. It had plenty of minced meat and bean sprouts, which paired well with the spicy soup. The noodles were medium-thick straight noodles. The bowl was surprisingly large, but the amount of noodles was normal. Water, salad, and wet towels were self-service. When I tried to order fried rice, I was told they were too busy to make anything other than noodle dishes. This is typical of a Taiwanese restaurant. The food here is delicious and popular in the evenings. This was my first visit during the day, but it seems like a good place to go.

Around 12:40, I visited for lunch. The outside sign lights were off, so maybe they weren't too enthusiastic about lunch service? Nevertheless, about half of the tables were occupied. The lunch menu includes rice bowls, noodles, and set meals, all priced around 700 yen, which is relatively reasonable. Today, I had the large serving of "Rou Rou Han." It came with stir-fried pork, pickled mustard greens, and a boiled egg. The pork was slightly sweet with a hint of star anise, and it was delicious. The large serving was quite filling, so a regular size might have been better. Overall, it was another tasty meal today.

I visited the "New Taipei 1st Store" around noon on a certain day in July 2019, located between Yurakucho Station and Tokyo Station. The not-so-spacious interior was about 70% full with customers. I sat alone at a table and ordered the "Taiwan Ramen" for ¥750. After ordering, more and more customers arrived, and the place quickly became full. All seats were taken with some customers sharing tables. The cooking was done by one man, and the waitress was a woman handling the front of the house. Honestly, the staff seemed to be quite understaffed. I ended up waiting for about 30 minutes before the dish was served. The "Taiwan Ramen" arrived in a wide bowl, with thin noodles, bean sprouts, minced meat, and other toppings. The taste was quite good. It wasn't as spicy as I expected, but it had just the right amount of spiciness and umami flavor. The portion size was a bit lacking. Overall, I was satisfied with the dish, but I couldn't understand why I had to wait for 30 minutes. It's hard to fully enjoy the delicious food when feeling stressed. The restaurant seemed to serve more than just noodle dishes, with the fried rice being particularly popular. I would like to visit again at a less crowded time next time.

This is the first store of New Taipei located under the guard of the Tokyo International Forum East Intersection, between Yurakucho Station and Tokyo Station. They temporarily relocated due to construction but seem to have returned to this location. According to Tabelog, it seems that it was registered as a new store rather than the revival of the previous New Taipei 1st store. I visited during weekday lunchtime. The interior of the restaurant has about 7 tables. It was managed by a lady and a kitchen chef. It was around 12:30 pm, with only one customer and no one else after. The standard lunch menu ranges from 750 yen to 850 yen with 7 options. In addition, there was a blackboard menu offering "Fried Rice 650 yen," so I ordered that. The fried rice was served generously on an oval plate. It was moist and fluffy. Apart from eggs and green onions, there was a hint of minced meat as a hidden flavor. The seasoning was perfect. With this amount of ingredients, it is a fried rice dish with a high level of completion. The clear brown soup had a hint of ginger aroma. You can enjoy the atmosphere under the guard.

I sometimes feel like going there for lunch as well. I like the salty fried rice and the moist mapo harusame that tastes like a Chinese restaurant. I tend to drink too much alcohol, so it's reassuring to have an all-you-can-drink option. Sometimes orders don't go through, so it's important to check.

A shop in Marunouchi where you can enjoy a casual dining experience without any pretentiousness. It has good cost performance and is a great place for everyday dining.

Lunch for 800 yen. Stir-fried wood ear mushrooms, eggs, and pork is delicious, but the rice is too salty and makes you eat too much. If they could lower the salt a bit, I feel like I could finish it all the way to the end.

Stir-fried pea shoots, dried daikon radish omelette, wood ear mushroom stir-fry, dumpling soup, fried rice, sesame dumplings.

Mapo tofu rice bowl set. Is it 850 yen? Or 800 yen? The Taiwanese-style mapo tofu is mild at first, not too spicy to eat, but you'll end up sweating by the end.