Behind the glitzy BMW motorbike showroom at the junction of Jenai and Chinshan South roads sits a rare slice of old Taipei. Situated in what was once a domestic residence, Ah Tsai's (
Filled with old tables and shelves piled high with an extraordinarily assortment of household goods and with its walls bedecked with posters and kitsch art dating from the 1950s, there's no modern swankiness about Ah Tsai's. Instead it looks more like the home of some eccentric hoarder than a restaurant.
According to owner Ah Hua (
PHOTO: GAVIN PHIPPS, TAIPEI TIMES
The food is equally as unpretentious. There are two distinct trends in Ah Tsai's food -- spicy hot and meaty rich. Dishes such as Ah Tsai's special tofu (
Being a Taiwanese restaurant every usable part of every animal appears somewhere on the menu and means carnivores will be in their element. The numerous beef and pork dishes range in price from NT$180 to NT$300, and the mouth-watering beef tendon with vegetables (NT$220) is highly recommended. For those looking for something a bit different, then Ah Tsai's wild boar (
While there is no English menu, the sight of foreigners staring forlornly at the menu is something the staff have become used to over the years and are always more than willing to help out.
An added bonus is the chance to drink a glass, or two, with the establishment's jovial owner. Ah Hua can be spotted coming a mile away, usually toting a bottle of Taiwan Beer. He will, without invitation, take a seat and raise a glass to the table's occupants.
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