In Taiwan, the Taiwanese fried pork chop, or “Pai Gu 排骨,” is more than just a meal, it’s a cultural icon. The humble Taiwanese fried pork chop experience is an adventure waiting to be discovered here at Dong Yi Pork Chop. Borrowing from Chinese traditions but with a distinctly Taiwanese twist, thin pork chops are marinated for flavour and then coated in potato or cornstarch before being deep-fried for an unforgettable crunch. It’s a dish often enjoyed with rice and pickled vegetables, but can also be found with a side sauce in more updated versions. Affordable and readily available from night markets to local restaurants, you’re going to want to give it a go here.
In-between Ximen MRT Station and Taipei Main Station, Dong Yi Pork Chop is a Taipei restaurant that has stood the test of time with decades of tradition supporting it. Deep-fried pork chop, fried chicken, shrimp rolls, and even a banana split – you can get some serious classics here.
I had heard about Dong Yi Pork Chop described by a friend as “old school Taiwanese classics, with one of the best Taiwanese pork chop’s in Taipei.” It piqued my interest, and even on looking at the outside of the restaurant with that big chandelier and the red lanterns – I got the feeling it was going to be pretty weird and wonderful inside. Stepping through the doorway, a wave of warm, savoury air washed over me, heavy with the promise of something special inside. As I made my way past the goose wearing a santa hat and mismatched retro paraphernalia, red vinyl fixed chairs awaited me with classic oil paintings of Taiwanese landscapes hung incongruously from each wall.
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The flashing multi-coloured LEDs outside here could confuse you into thinking that you’re walking into one of those ridiculously old KTV/Karaoke bars that only the old sequined-dressed elderly frequent on the regular. But no, come here for a pork chop, fried chicken, or a shrimp roll.
The entrance explodes with color. Red paper lanterns hang like vibrant punctuation marks illuminating the entrance. Flashy LED signs announce the party inside, and fairy lights twinkle an irresistible welcome. Is that a jazz piano you can hear? What are you waiting for? Nothing but smiles and good food are waiting inside for you.
I really appreciate that walking in here feels like you’re walking into a children’s birthday party Vs an 80’s office Christmas party. It’s quite something. You’ll notice the fake coconuts hanging from the fake coconut tree on the left of this picture, the many fairy lights hanging from the ceiling, and the red plastic floor on top of those classic white Taiwanese tiles. You’ll also notice there’s an assault-on-the-senses amount of colour running throughout the restaurant, whether that’s the red floor and vinyl-covered seats, the blue hanging lights above the tables, or the decorations.
It almost looks like it isn’t quite real, but I assure you – it is. One of the most interesting things here isn’t the decorations (although they are very visually stimulating), but it’s the variety of customers. You’ll see elderly couples, groups of elderly friends, families, young couples, and plenty of every other kind of customer you can think of. It seems to appeal to everyone.
At either end of the restaurant there is a bar area where they can sort you out with drinks. They do all sorts of drinks here, from milkshakes to alcoholic drinks, you’ll find something you’re in the mood for.
If you aren’t sure how to order or what to do when you arrive at Dong Yi Pork Chop, then this is the post for you. See below for How to Order in Taipei Restaurants like a definitive pro!
3 Fast Tips on How to Order in Taipei Restaurants like a definitive pro!
The Menu at Dong Yi Pork Chop
I'm going to walk you guys through this menu at Dong Yi Pork Chop from right to left, top to bottom:
Main meals (price updated):
- Pork chop with either rice or noodles
- 排骨 飯。麵 - pái gǔ fàn/miàn
- Deep-fried chicken leg with either rice or noodles
- 雞腿 飯。麵 - Jī tuǐ fàn/miàn
- Deep-fried fish with either rice or noodles
- 魚排 飯。麵 - yú pái fàn. miàn
- pork chop, chicken leg or fried fish with noodles (dry)
- 排骨 雞腿 魚排 乾麵 - pái gǔ, jī tuǐ, yú pái。 gān miàn
- Brisket beef with noodles (dry)
- 牛腩燴飯 乾麵 - niú nǎn huì fàn gān miàn
- Curry with rice
- 咖哩飯 - gā lí fàn
- Soup of the day
- 當日附湯 - dāng rì fù tāng
- Fish ball soup
- 魚丸湯 - yú wán tāng
- Pork ball soup
- 貢丸湯 - Gòng wán tāng
- Kimchi
- 泡菜 - pào cài
- Stewed tofu
- 油豆腐 - yóu dòu fu
- Hard-boiled egg
- 滷蛋 - lǔ dàn
- Sesame oil-cooked chicken with either rice or noodles
- 麻油雞。飯。麵 - Má yóu jī. Fàn. Miàn
- Cooked vegetables
- 燙青菜 - tàng qīng cài
- Deep-fried shrimp rolls
- 蝦仁捲 - xiā rén juān
Alternatively, if you look confused enough they may give you one of their English menus.
What We Ordered
Obligatory table spread pic. With a main meal you will get your choice of meat on the side with some spicy pickled radish and some lightly pickled cucumber. You'll also get a bowl of rice with veg and some braised pork, too.
Fried Chicken
So, whilst the pork chop is delicious, I do think the chicken leg is a good option at Dong Yi Pork Chop. It's crunchy, it's juicy, it's meaty, it's flavourful. It basically ticks everything off for what you'd want in a deep-fried chicken leg. There's not a thick batter on the fried chicken here, but I don't see that as a negative.
At Dong Yi Pork Chop, known for its unexpected delights, you can indulge in more than just their famous pork chop. The crunchy, juicy, and flavour-packed deep-fried chicken leg is also a highly recommended option. Unlike some places, there is no thick batter coating the chicken, allowing the juicy layers to shine within the crispy skin. Served bone-in, the chicken leg boasts a delightful salty and peppery seasoning that will surely satisfy your taste buds.
Pork Chop
The pork chop at Dong Yi Pork Chop is a must-try dish. It is the highlight of this pork shop restaurant. The pork is expertly battered and fried, resulting in a fragrantly juicy meat. Served with a rice bowl, vegetables, and braised pork, it is a delightful combination. It reminded me of another delicious pork chop I had in Taipei at 君悅排骨. I highly recommend enjoying this deep-fried pork in the restaurant to maintain its crispy and juicy texture.
The pickled cucumber goes really well with this, but I don't see the significance in the spicy pickled radish, personally. I'd prefer a double portion of the sour-sweet cucumber, instead.
The side profile of this pork chop should have you salivating. There is plenty of flavour here, making me think that it has probably been marinated for a long time, and deep-fried masterfully.
In your accompanying rice dish, you'll find a sizable portion of rice, plenty of stewed pork gravy ladled on top, and some veggies stuck on the side, too. While the rice is acceptable, I was impressed with the selection of vegetables included in the dish. We had napa cabbage, broccoli, wood ear mushrooms, and also some bamboo shoots, too. Oftentimes when eating a pork chop lunchbox you may get one or two bits of cursory broccoli or sweetcorn, but here at Dong Yi Pork Chop they are giving you a really nice balanced meal.
The Bottom Line
Is it worth it? For the atmosphere - yes. For the food - maybe. It depends on what kind of mood you're looking for. If you want to take some fun pictures in a unique restaurant in Taipei without spending a whole load, then Dong Yi Pork Chop is well worth considering. However, the flavours of each dish aren't as unique as the atmosphere. I didn't get any of the drinks, though, so maybe I was missing out. I also didn't get any of the ice cream sundae's, either. Maybe I didn't do the restaurant the justice it deserves...
What is the best dish? The pork chop is the classic dish here. You will be remiss not to order it. It's in the name for a reason.
Are there other places like this? There are plenty of Taiwanese restaurants like this one scattered all over Taiwan. However, I think the atmosphere here is hard to beat. You're going to get nostalgia even if you weren't alive in the time period most reflected at this restaurant.
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