ランチ向上委員会
This is a Taiwanese restaurant located on the 29th floor of the NS Building. The restaurant is in the top floor restaurant area of an office building, offering authentic Chinese cuisine at low prices. The menu samples for the day are displayed outside, making it easy to understand that this is a popular Chinese restaurant. The lunch menu is all priced at 1,000 yen or less, including set meals, noodles, and rice bowls, each served with pickles and dessert. In addition, the restaurant offers a "Salad Bar" semi-buffet. Among the extensive menu, two items are discounted monthly, making it even more cost-effective. I tried the Taiwan Lu Rou Fan (930 yen -> 830 yen), which is served quickly as it only requires plating. It is perfect for busy business people as the dish is prepared quickly. Although the toppings may seem scarce, the portion of rice is generous. The pork is cooked with just the right amount of saltiness using pork belly with skin, giving it an authentic street food flavor. There is also a half portion of flavored egg, which is slightly runny compared to the standard fully cooked version, adding a nice touch. The dish is garnished with bok choy, providing a good balance of colors. The pickled mustard greens, a common side dish in Taiwanese cuisine, add to the authenticity of the meal. The set meal also includes pickled vegetables and almond jelly. The pickled vegetables are ordinary, and the almond jelly has a slightly chemical scent, but with the dessert available at the Salad Bar, it's not a big issue. The Salad Bar offers dishes such as Bang Bang Chicken, boiled dumplings, spring rolls, Mapo Tofu, Mapo Glass Noodles, salad, Chinese soup, steamed buns, and Tapioca Milk, all available for unlimited servings. The Bang Bang Chicken is more like boiled chicken dressed in sauce rather than the traditional version, but it is flavorful and satisfying. The boiled dumplings are served in lukewarm water, and the sauce is not very tasty. However, when added to the Chinese soup provided, it becomes a decent soup ingredient that can be reheated. The Mapo Tofu is a simplified version of the traditional dish, with a mildly spicy flavor. The spring rolls are well-made and a standard item in this price range of Chinese restaurants. The fact that these are all available for unlimited servings makes the price worth it. The Chinese soup is served hot from a soup jar, containing beaten egg, seaweed, carrots, tofu, and a well-balanced broth with a good saltiness. The salad is a daikon radish salad. The Mapo Glass Noodles consisted mostly of noodles, so I did not try it. The Tapioca Milk tastes as it looks. The flavors are typical of mainland Chinese restaurants, but the fact that it's all-you-can-eat at this price is truly surprising. Despite some dishes being on the cheaper side, considering the price, it's definitely worth it. This is a recommended restaurant for those looking to eat plenty of Chinese cuisine in Nishi-Shinjuku.