Taipei's first kebab shop opened just three weeks ago and has already built up a strong following. Its hearty Turkish grilled meat combos are currently popular with office workers out for a quick feed, local residents looking for something more substantial and expats in search of familiar tastes from home.
The brainchild of Jerry Hsu (
PHOTO: GAVIN PHIPPS, TAIPEI TIMES
Offering diners a clean, pleasant, roomy and inoffensive environment, the Doner's small, yet solid menu is, according to Hsu, still a work in progress. Those craving grilled Turkish treats should find the few items currently available to their liking. The drawback is the lack of dips. While Hsu has mastered the garlic and cucumber yogurt sauce the lack of tahini in Taiwan has meant that humous is, at present, not on the menu.
The most popular of the dishes on offer is the Turkish soda bread kebab. Available in beef, chicken, or a mixture of both, the hearty kebab comes stuffed with salad and is topped off with Hsu's homemade garlic yogurt sauce and costs NT$110. Hsu also offers Lebanese, or flat pita bread wraps, which cost NT$110 and are
available in the same combinations as the Turkish kebab.
Diners looking for more than a simple sandwich should try one of one of Hsu's set meals. The priciest of these is the NT$450 Kusbasi kebab, or a fillet of lamb served with mixed vegetables, Turkish bread and onion salad. The Adana kebab -- two spiced lamb kebabs cooked with capsicum and served with mixed vegetables, Turkish bread and a huge fiery green pepper -- and the Ishender kebab, a plate of beef topped off with garlic yogurt and chili sauce served on a bed of Turkish soda bread, both cost NT$300. Side orders of French fries are available on request for diners wanting that extra bit of cholesterol with their meal.
Hsu plans to add more Mediterranean-based meat and fish dishes as well as several vegetarian choices, including falafel in the near future. But for now, diners will have to make do with the basics. Not that there's anything wrong with that, as Hsu's kebabs hit the spot and diners will walk away from any meal at the Doner satisfied.
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