Trying Japanese Restaurant Chains in Taipei

[@STJfoodtour]

Important note You are watching “Solo Travel Japan / Food Tour” My main channel is “Solo Travel Japan” I have nothing to do with other channels. Thanks! STJ

[@anniekinsmishkamouse7575]

I have been watching both and not until today did I know it was two separate channels.. lol

[@Deb-xn6yr]

Me too! I just realized that I had been watching & following 2 different people 😂 LOL STJ and SST 🙅‍♂️are not the same 🤦‍♂️.

[@Deb-xn6yr]

My bad dude!

[@yvonnestrong3856]

So glad to finally see some exclamation marks after the disappointing food on the ship. Hopefully that makes the cruise somewhat worthwhile.

[@wandererkent]

First of all I feel glad that STJ-san enjoyed Japanese chain restaurants in our country. As a physician at a nearby hospital I have spent many-a-day diggin into these establishments for 10+ years now. I've also traveled to Japan for 10+ times and spent an unhealthy amount of time at these eateries, so here are some commnets: - Matsuya being the newest of the three gyudon chains to enter Taiwan their restaurants are mostly newly refurbished (the location STJ-san went was originally a 7-11), however the taste was a little bit off compared with the original, as the curries are too salty, the beef is on the drier side, and the consistentcy of the rice is not good. - Sukiya on the other hand was pretty authentic on their original recipies, and heck even the "garlicy" vegetables are not bad either, while definitely tastes more Taiwanese to me. (Side note: don't ever go to Yoshinoyas in Taiwan, just... don't) - Katsuya was a pleasant surprise for Taiwanese Japanophiles when they first came. The sauce, the tonkatsu and the rice are all identical to the original taste, and all at a very affordable price! - Ueshino coffee was pretty authentic, although the site from this video was snuck in the basement of underground Taipei station, which made the air a little bit stale when I stayed. Also it was often crowded. - Ootoya has fallen so far food quality side these years in Taiwan. It used to pack Koshihikari rice (越光米) from Niigata, Japan and was the only chain restaurant cooking rice the Japanese way (Taiwanese dishes generally pair better with wetter, softer rice than the glistening indiviual grains found in Japanese rice cookers). Now it's been "Taiwanesized" to become an abomination, to the point that some of the fish dishes were cooked in Taiwanese style. What a shame. - Komeda also translated its cusines and atmosphere very well to Taiwan, many of my buddies were shocked when they ordered a Tonkatsu sandwich and saw the portion sizes. It's my favorite coffee chain now. - Saizeria in Taiwan was OK, but heaven and earth compared with Japan. The thing is most Taiwanese were more accustomed to the "Italian" Italian cusine than the "Japanese" Italian cusine, so when Saizeria presented us with a "Japanese" Italian cusine with a Taiwanese twist, many were put off. As for the others: Kura Sushi - a little bit subpar, Sushiro - generally identical to Japan, Watami - fairly good although I haven't visit for years now.

[@RT-qd8yl]

Thank you for your input! It's always nice to get detailed info from locals. I'm stashing all this information away somewhere for when I finally get to visit Asia someday.

[@WooWoo-co4jf]

I do find it very interesting when someone had a real connection to a video and leaves their thoughts & advice for anyone visiting. Thanks😀

[@idanceforpennies281]

" I'm ready to eat". Lol. Don't change anything, you're hilarious.

[@somethingillregret]

I missed seeing those two little exclamation marks while you were on the cruise! Im glad you found an oasis of tasty

[@catcard]

I take medication every day that makes my appetite disappear as an unfortunate side effect. But when I watch your food videos, I feel like I can eat because I get hungry at seeing what you show us. It really helps me, plus I just enjoy seeing the places you go, so thank you for sharing your videos with us.

[@Waywren]

I'm so glad there was a high point to your cruise trip! These all looked SO good.

[@AnaSolVa]

I'm always looking forward to the exclamation marks!! I'm glad you managed to eat good food when you disembarked in the city, since you're back to mediocre food on the cruise now.

[@andrea6421]

That food looked 1000x better than what they were serving on that cruise! You should’ve carried on some of the food on the ship 😊

[@deirdregarcia2762]

Your mood is so much better off the ship. I do glad that you enjoyed you meals in Taipei😁😁

[@christopherfranklin972]

KATSUYA ichiban! It looked SO good and I smiled when I saw "!!" 😊 Beef curry didn't look great but everything else was well presented,looked delicious and was reasonably priced,thank you for another super episode.

[@zignitz]

lol, this must have been such a relief after that AWFUL cruise slop they served and called food.

[@RT-qd8yl]

I've been looking forward to this so much since that tragedy 😄

[@Dascher007]

Which video is that?

[@RT-qd8yl]

@@Dascher007 "Episode 3 | 7-Day Cruise from Yokohama Japan on MSC Bellissima" on his main channel

[@Valeforic]

These videos have been helping me so much through some recent stuff. These all looked so good, thank you for sharing your travels with us all.

[@Trebuchet48]

Wow, that WiFi password at the coffee shop is a tough one to crack!. Sorry, STJ-san, that people are confusing you with other channels. I do watch them sometimes, but you are the best!

[@toastedpina]

I'm feeling a little sick and this video is what I needed to help me relax! Thank you!

[@bernie2237]

I'm glad you enjoyed the food in Taipei. You seemed so sad on the cruise episodes with ships food

[@rogerramjetox142pa]

Were I as much a foodie as STJ-san, I'd be crying too. There is so much he didn't say that said everything about how bad that cruise was. I honestly felt sorry for him. Yes, I know it's good for the content, but for a travel channel, one should not have to suffer like that on a cruise ship. Hell, he would have had better service and food on a ferry!

[@melaniefromafar4015]

Here’s the only place to find his !! for the whole cruise! So glad he took this detour!

[@RT-qd8yl]

This was a really fun treat, especially after that cruise! 😂Taipei looks so nice and clean! I think my favorite dish was the fried pork cutlet, but that's a hard decision because everything looks so good! Great video as always STJ, thanks! 🙂

[@livingwithjoy89]

All meals were excellent and reasonable prices!

[@chaosdestructionlove]

Was really looking forward to this video, glad to see it was as delightful as the short cut between the cruise from hell segments seemed to imply. Something about the chill vibe makes me relax massively so hoping this'll...help me break my insomnia curse thats been going strong all day. 3/4ths through the video already lol.

[@Sweetmotion23]

I love your commentary 😂😂 My boyfriend only watches a little when I’m watching but he knows you love curry and ALWAYS finish your plate 😂❤

[@mariannewaszak8253]

I love watching your videos. Thank you for your content on both your channels 😍😍😍

[@mariblue72]

I really should know better than to watch these videos when I'm hungry... 😂

[@eatlikealocal]

During your visit, were you able to sample the culinary traditions of Taiwan?

[@Virtual__Diva]

I don't think so since he was only there for 2 days as part of a cruise stop. But he mentions in his cruise videos that he travels often to Taiwan, so I'm sure he did at some point!

[@Trebuchet48]

I think he said in one of the cruise videos that he usually eats Taiwanese food when in Taiwan, but this time decided to see how they did at Japanese food.

[@WooWoo-co4jf]

Yes, I did enjoy it thank you. It was good to see you fed properly! When my partner who's 205 cm tall, 6" 9 he said he would have almost starved to death with those portions 😂 I don't eat very much and even I wouldn't have been satisfied! I have loads of good allergies, but good typically from Asia is better because it's often rice based, no potato, pasta or bread and I'll eat what I can off a plate. But they were pitiful meals. We have a lot of very tall friends, 6" 11 211 cm, is the tallest, he sent the videos to friends and they all weren't impressed. Even the buffets were pitiful! Not to provide free water was also inconvenient for most passengers. I have to drink 3-4 litres a day if need to go for a bank loan to buy just that 😂 I assume you weren't happy with it because you didn't post the rest. I was quite annoyed for you that you paid good hard earned money for what you got.

[@peshBTS]

Another great episode! The food looked delicious, especially the curry. Too bad you couldn’t smuggle some good food back to the ship! Loved this video ❤

[@blktauna]

Too bad you couldn't smuggle some food back to the ship. That Katsudon looks delicious.

[@KirkNorthrop]

I love that you went all the way to Taiwan and ate Japanese food

[@rogerramjetox142pa]

Well if you had seen the food he was enduring on that cruise ship of his, I'd be flying to Taiwan to eat Japanese food too LOL!

[@KirkNorthrop]

@@rogerramjetox142pa oh, that ship was just bad!

[@rogerramjetox142pa]

@@KirkNorthrop his newest video when he's back on a Japanese ferry - I honestly could have cried for joy for him. The room was smaller but my God the difference: the cleanliness, the order, the organisation, the food. Everything. As I said before, the only thing belissima (really beautiful) about the MSC Belissima is how beautiful it is when the cruise is over.

[@KirkNorthrop]

@@rogerramjetox142pa as long as there’s unlimited curry, it’s all good!

[@rogerramjetox142pa]

@@KirkNorthrop 100%. Until STJ's videos, even though I love Japanese food, I had no idea what he meant by curry. So I went to a really well known and patronised Japanese restaurant at the university near my workplace. And OMG - I know 100% what STJ loves about Japanese curry! And when paired with those tsukemono pickles OMG.

[@educanassa100]

Delicious food

[@valeriegeorge7086]

Gorgeous food ❤

[@geewhizz3948]

Solo, it's quite unexplainable that a Japanese travels to a foreign country to eat of all things Japanese food

[@hajow9303]

Cripsy... STJ you're the best!!!😄

[@sayaakukito]

Wow yummy

[@rickwezenaar]

Finally some food you like ;) I think the MSC Bellissima was a mistake. But this might make it up for you ;) ^_^

[@quinnhouk5369]

Love it

[@mschococat]

Did you eat any local food while you were in taiwan?

[@STJfoodtour]

No, I didn't this time. I've been to Taiwan many times and I always eat local food.

[@mschococat]

@@STJfoodtour can we see you eat the national dishes or most popular in the regions next?

[@lilacscentedfushias1852]

When you’ve eaten & gone shopping I’m hoping you bought water & at least snacks for the ship and it’s crazy pricing! Compared to the ferries it’s a scam

[@rogerramjetox142pa]

I'm so glad you actually got to eat decent food! I would have absolutely gorged myself on the food in Taiwan too to wipe away the memories of how bad the food on the ship was.

[@bubbledoubletrouble]

10:58 No meat? Can this really be Solo? 😂

[@renerivera9715]

Beautiful ❤

[@dcrom]

Katsuya was awesome!!! OOtoya administered your yearly supply of veg, and it looked tempting. I wish I could eat like you do! I shall continue to live vicariously, I guess...... and I'll kiss you despite the garlic. ✌🤟 Now get back on that damned boat and go home!!!!

[@FoxyfloofJumps]

Those are some decent chains. And I now know the secret to how you survived the "meh"-lissima's awful food. At least their deserts were okay.

[@anniekinsmishkamouse7575]

The price for the set meals is inexpensive to me. Are the prices equivalent in Japan? Was there something unusual about the Ootoya meal? Japanese Italian restaurant does not click in my mind. Lastly, I just have to say it is so adorable when you say you are hungry. And I like watching for the "!!". Hope to see four some day.

[@robds]

Grande Naka! Se que la idea es no hablar, pero metele algun subtítulo en algunas parte, siento que queres decirnos algo y no podes

[@cathycarroll2405]

Is the mystery green vegetable "swiss chard"?

[@eatlikealocal]

Might be pea shoots.

[@angeladormer6659]

So glad STJ, that you are recuperating after your not so great cruise. I am embarrassed that it was a European Line. Even I would have baulked at that food. I hope you make a complaint to MSC for the food and ghe dirty bedding. I am sure that any European or American travellers would not have stood for it. You should send your videos to them. All your subs will pass it on I am sure. Hope you are building your strength now. 💓👵🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🌹🌹🌹

[@YamiKisara]

It's fascinating to me that you can get an entire meal (the tonkatsu rice bowl) for 6$ and then just a coffee for almost the same price! Either Japan (or in this case Taiwan) is importing some really exclusive beans, or you somehow manage to grow and raise ridiculously cheap food. Considering the amount of pesticides used and the lack of animal welfare (compared to my country), it's probably the latter, but while the coffee is cheaper over here, that pork bowl would definitely cost almost the double (with our average monthly income being roughly 2,5 times lower), so can't really argue with that outcome, lol.

[@amputeeright]

The restaurant food all looked amazing, but even a White Castle belly bomb would have been better than the abysmal food on that ship. I want to try red bean paste on toast, now. 😊

[@STJfoodtour]

Red bean paste and butter have a good combination :)

[@lynnferry291]

Doria? Is it really Italian? I've been to Italy several times and I don't recall ever seeing it there.

[@orientalmoons]

Doria is a dish invented in Japan, it's copying Western cooking styles but adapting them for Japanese tastes. I can't think of any European rice gratin dishes, except perhaps they might exist in dated recipe books (I'm almost certain I've seen one in a 1980s vegetarian recipe book!). Apparently it was a Swiss chef that invented it.

[@lynnferry291]

@@orientalmoons Thank you!

[@ryannaustin8468]

I wonder if how bad the food was on your cruise made the food in this video taste better

[@Maria-se4to]

Solo travel ordering vegetables? 😳 Do you on fever?

[@marilynturcotte5304]

I'm at timeline 1:16, so 4 Japanese Chains. One I recognize is Kura.

[@STJfoodtour]

Thanks for guessing and answering.

[@Llcmtg]

I’m happy you did this video off the ship. And had some good food. The food on the cruise was awful.

[@marilynturcotte5304]

I got it right!!! I suppose when you left the ship the first time, you realized you had to fill up on good food before returning to the "floating Prison!" Just looking at a simple meal offered on shore to the "abominable" stuff the ship offered made me sad.

[@savvylady2493]

Do you ever take food requests? Example of food request: can you eat konjac and describe to us, non-Japanese people what that taste like and how to eat it? I hope to travel there to eat it in person, but until then, I want to hear a Japanese person's perspective.

[@eatlikealocal]

Konjac is neutral and doesn't have much taste by itself. It is mainly featured for it's firm and chewy texture.

[@ibeam23]

You must have been happy to eat some good food since the cruise food wasn’t good

[@valeriegeorge7086]

You are always hungry 😂😂

[@alexstrolls801]

The food in Taipei compensated from the cruise ship food.

[@senselessdreamer6583]

Well ,at least you had beef curry , week's worth of vegetables! Bet you ran from that horrid ship !!

[@jsl1952]

8?

[@UseBrainGuysUseBrain]

Hemm Umai!!!!

[@UseBrainGuysUseBrain]

Hemm yummy

[@kyrastuart1920]

I hope you bought snack when you went shopping.

[@andytsui3133]

🧧Taiwan Japanese food👍

[@annettefournier9655]

Hopefully that good food helped you through that dismally awful food on that cruise.🎉

[@paulinelau7809]

❤❤

[@STJfoodtour]

Thanks for the super thanks. I hope you enjoy your trip to Japan in February!

[@paulinelau7809]

@@STJfoodtour Myself unlucky. Got Covid, so have to postpone my trip. Changed to next year, March. Going with Dad, nieces and nephew this time. 😃😃

[@pixiholly]

Your lunch on Day 2 was quivering with excitement. 😂

[@traciechakraborty3829]

When you wrote you had to go back to that awful cruise ship, I envishioned the ship's anchor wrapped around your ankle, weighing you down. Anyways, that food looked so good AND affordable. Especially, Komeda's "coffee service." I love anko! Btw, you should try honey in your coffee. It's delicious. But, I don't know how you resisted Kura. Sushi's the best.

[@eyenpersu5248]

Hmm... I have to admit... I wouldn't mind a garlic kiss at all. Garlic doesn't bother me. ONION on the other hand... I have actually refused to kiss my ex (my then boyfriend) cause his breath smelled too much of raw onion lol.

[@djor316]

I knew you were gonna answer Curry lol. Was good to know your finally happy with the food. It all looked amazing. God Bless andd Be safe.

[@neilwilliams7479]

Good that you enjoyed the Japanese chain restaurants in Taipei made up for the miserable culinary service you had on board

[@cm3291]

This is like when Americans go to Europe and just eat McDonald’s

[@LouieDeez]

When I don't see "!!", I know it's not special.

[@southpakrules]

55

[@brownhues]

TAIWAN NUMBA ONE! CHINA NUMBA FOUA!

[@mahoslash]

I'm a bit saddened you didn't go and buy the pepper buns and pork thick soup set in the area even though I know what the theme of the video was about. I mean, you're already in the area and not being able to throw in a couple of my pocket lists on time is a bit frustrating.