Shin Yeh (Taipei, TAIWAN) ★★★☆☆

Shin Yeh is often considered second best in Taipei when it comes to Taiwanese cuisine, right behind Din Tai Fung. As a self-proclaimed foodie, I wasted no time venturing all the way to Zhongxiao East after a quick lunch at Din Tai Fung.



What makes Shin Yeh unique is its modern take on many of the traditional Taiwanese dishes.

Their signature dishes includes this Taiwanese-style deep fried oysters that were served with basil and white pepper. I didn't expect these baby oysters to be so crispy on the outside but soft on the inside!



Roasted mullet fish roe is another specialty here but those were way too fishy for my liking. 

 

Food Rating: 4/10
Price: $$$
Address: 2/F, No. 112, Sec. 4, Zhongxiao East Road, Da’an District, Taipei
Closest Metro Station: Zhongxiao Fuxing
Tel: +886 (02) 2752-9299
Website: www.shinyeh.com.tw



View Larger Map

Sashimiya 三四味屋 (Taipei, TAIWAN) ★★★☆☆

I first read about Sashimiya (三四味屋) from a travel magazine in Hong Kong and was quite intrigued by its concept. It's no secret that Taiwanese are quite obsessed with Japanese cuisine and that can be seen in the huge number of Japanese eateries in the city. But Sashimiya is a little different. It's billed as a Japanese izakaya restaurant with an innovative and unconventional twist.



The restaurant is laid out very much in a theatre setting with the open kitchen set in center stage.



The food menu offers a number of interesting signature dishes including gems like the tuna and avocado sushi roll but I decided to start with their black cod glazed with sweet miso sauce first. Not a bad start.



I was less impressed with this prawn tempura roll.

 


Food Rating: 4/10
Price: $$$
Address: 106 臺北市復興南路一段126巷 1號 3樓
Closest Metro Station: Zhongxiao Fuxing
Tel: +886 (02) 8773-4888
Website: www.sashimiya.tw

Gaddi's (Hong Kong, CHINA) ★★★★☆

Hotel Peninsula Hong Kong and French restaurant Gaddi's have long been a symbol of excellence in Hong Kong. Despite the recent new wave of French restaurants landing in Hong Kong, Gaddi's still remains one of the fan favorites. 

But they got to do something about the decor. It's a bit worn out.



A little bit of red wine to warm us up first.



Our 3-course set started with a lovely watercress and potato purée with poached scallops.



It was followed by a roasted prawns with own whipped bisque on a bed of sea urchin risotto. Very flavorful and tantalizing for the palates.



Dessert, Grand Marnier and vanilla cream mille feuille with orange sherbet, was slightly off the mark.



A classic petite fours to wrap up a wonderful lunch.

Food Rating: 7.2/10

Price: €€€

Address: The Peninsula Hong Kong, Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong
Closest Metro Station: Tsim Sha Tsui
Tel: +852 2696-6763
Website: Link