Kairikiya Taiwan, located in the Zhongshan District of Taipei is definitely a place to put on your list of Taipei Ramen restaurants worth checking out. As if you ever needed an excuse to go and wander around the amazing Zhongshan Taipei area, now you have one more reason – for a steaming bowl of ramen to sooth your soul. Coming out of Kyoto – one of my favourite places on Earth – this ramen restaurant specialises in expertly crafted pork bone broth, aged soy sauce, fragrant oil, and two types of char su pork in their ramen bowls.
Now, to be clear, I may not have eaten ramen in every Japanese city, village, or countryside inn dotted in-between, but I have indulged in my fair share in Kyoto, Tokyo, Osaka, and Okinawa. I’m no expert, but I know what I like – freshness, depth of flavour, and special attention paid to the noodles. This Zhongshan ramen restaurant does all of the above, and it’s only a few steps away from Zhongshan MRT in the heart of this excellent area.
While it may not be the biggest restaurant, Kairikiya Taiwan‘s Taipei ramen restaurant should be on your radar for a wholesome bowl of noodle goodness when that mood so takes you. Read more below about what we ate, and what we enjoyed the most.
Table of Contents
For great ramen, head in to the 3rd Shin Kong Mitsukoshi building in the Zhongshan District right next to exit 4, and hop on the escalator to B1. The restaurant is located at the back of the food court in the far left corner as you come off the escalator.
You’ll find plenty of seats, without it feeling like a ramen factory. Whether you’re coming as a solo traveller (as many of the Japanese tourists inside were), a couple, or as a group, there are plenty of tables for everyone.
If you aren’t sure how to order or what to do when you arrive at Kairikiya Taiwan, 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 Kairikiya Taiwan
Many people I speak to hate QR code restaurant ordering. However, if you don't speak the language, as many don't in Taiwan, they are incredibly convenient. Not only does it mean that you can take your time without feeling pressured to order with the server standing right next to you, but it also enables restaurants to update the menu more regularly without having to print off menus in bulk.
You'll find a QR code on the table as you sit down, but you may also be offered a physical copy, too.
As you sit and wait for your order to arrive, you can check out some of the condiments available to you on each table. From right to left you have minced garlic in the white dish, the house-special chili-based condiment in the grey dish, and then some mixed sesame seeds in the black dish on the left. But, more interesting to me is the yuzu vinegar front left. Expect refreshing flavours from the yuzu, but a depth of flavour that elevates the dried noodle dish to another level.
These T-shirts are super cute, and those bowls are just beautiful!
Premium Kyoto Aged Soy Sauce Ramen
特級京都熟成醬油拉麵 - tèjí jīngdū shúchéng jiàngyóu lāmiàn
If you're in the mood for meat on meat on meat, then this is the bowl for you. You'll get chicken, pork, and beef all in one bowl, dressed with some seaweed, egg, and green onions. What's not to love about that?
Each individual component was wonderful, with significant depth of flavours in each mouthful. Oftentimes it's easy to get lost in the saltiness of the ramen broth, but while I didn't finish this bowl of soup, I didn't find it to be overbearingly salty.
The noodles were cooked excellently al dente, yet still managed to bear the flavour of the soup, too. As far as Taipei ramen restaurants are concerned, this is definitely one to consider if you're in the Zhongshan MRT area and searching for ramen.
Kyoto-style dry noodles with chicken and runny egg
京都熟成醬油流心蛋拌麵 - Jīng dū shú chéng jiàng yóu liú xīn dàn bàn miàn
Believe it or not, we came to this ramen restaurant for their dry noodles. Now, when I say dry, they're not dried, they just don't come in a soup. However, they are by no means crunchy, nor completely dry. In fact, once you pop that beautifully cooked runny egg in the middle, and mix it with the residual sauce at the bottom of the bowl, you can expect each individual noodle to be coated in a sauce that clings to the noodle and adds bags of flavour.
Served with crushed peanuts, sous vide chicken, green onions, dried seaweed, and some char su pork pieces, everything mixes when you pop the egg - coating everything in a thick sauce of nothing but flavour.
Here, you can see everything mixed up and incorporated into the noodles nicely. In one mouthful you're likely to get a little bit of everything, resulting in a harmonious dancing of flavours across your palette. The depth of flavour in the aged soy sauce is fantastic, bringing a depth that ordinary soy sauce can't quite achieve. I'd definitely order this again.
Of course, we had to add on a set meal, which came with a salad and an extra portion of Kairikiya Taiwan's delicious char su pork, dressed with a tangy pepper dressing. Everything was excellent, and I'll definitely come back here in the future.
The Bottom Line
Is it worth it? Yes, Kairikiya Taiwan's ramen is great, and their dry noodles are similarly delicious.
What is the best dish? The dry noodles were packed with an incredible amount of flavour for something which, on the surface, looks somewhat plain - making it the stand-out dish.
Are there other places like this? Ramen restaurants are everywhere in Taipei, but they tend to be concentrated in the amazing Zhongshan District, offering up choice in abundance. Check out some other ramen recommendations below:
Taipei Restaurant – 仁王家 Katsuramen Niouka, An Excellent Option For Ramen In Taipei!
Taipei Restaurant – Nagi 凪の Taiwan, awesome Ramen!
Taipei restaurant – Ramen Katsuo 勝王