2026 Kaohsiung Food Recommendations | Lao Xin Taiwanese Cuisine Jiuru Original Store: Vintage Omakase Dining, Reliving Old-School Romance to the Fullest

When visiting Kaohsiung, indulging in a meal rich in local flavor is a must. This time, we invite you to step into the Lao Xin Taiwanese Cuisine Jiuru Original Store, a place that feels like a journey back in time. Nestled in the bustling city, this restaurant not only exudes old-school romance but also offers a delightful omakase experience. Join us as we explore this culinary adventure for your taste buds!

Pushing open the sturdy wooden door of the Original Jiuru Taiwanese Restaurant, you are immediately enveloped in a rich atmosphere of nostalgia. The owner generously showcases a personal collection accumulated over many years, featuring everything from an eye-catching vintage car in the lobby to weathered movie posters adorning the walls, as well as a variety of old-fashioned radios and typewriters. Every corner meticulously recreates the splendor of Taiwan in the 1960s and 70s. Walking on the pebble floor while listening to soft retro music truly gives one the illusion of traveling through time.

The dining space here is designed to be exceptionally spacious and comfortable, preserving the lively atmosphere typical of traditional Taiwanese banquet settings while adding a touch of privacy and sophistication. Whether you're meeting a few friends or bringing your elders for a meal to reminisce about the past, this environment is sure to encourage everyone to open up and share stories as soon as they sit down. Watching the elders point at an old item and laugh while recalling memories brings an invaluable warmth that many modern trendy restaurants simply cannot replicate.

If you're aiming to create a vintage film vibe, consider outfits that feature earthy tones or retro floral dresses. The antique cars and wooden flower window screens on the first floor serve as excellent visual extensions for your shots. When filming short videos, you can slowly pan from nostalgic decor to a beautifully arranged dining table, applying a warm yellow light filter to instantly enhance the storytelling aspect. Please note that large tripods are not allowed on-site; using a handheld stabilizer to capture the light will yield stunning results.

One of the best aspects of dining here is that you don’t have to stress over “what to eat.” The restaurant specializes in a no-menu dining experience, where you simply set a budget for each person, and then you can relax as the chef takes over. The culinary team excels at utilizing the freshest seasonal ingredients sourced from Taiwan, infusing the familiar flavors of traditional Taiwanese cuisine with modern cooking techniques. The result is a series of beautifully presented yet down-to-earth creative dishes.

Based on the experiences shared by many returning guests, almost every visit here offers a completely different combination of dishes. This dining experience, filled with the excitement of a blind box, captivates food enthusiasts who love to try new flavors. Sometimes, classic Cantonese dishes are reimagined, while at other times, ordinary home-cooked meals are transformed into artistic presentations reminiscent of French cuisine. When each dish is served, the staff kindly explains it, making the experience feel less like just a meal and more like listening to the stories behind Taiwanese ingredients.

When it comes to omakase dining, many might first think of the exquisite yet often insufficiently filling Japanese kaiseki cuisine. However, in the vibrant southern part of Taiwan, the substantial portions will definitely exceed your expectations! Each dish here is meticulously crafted; while they may not be as overwhelmingly large as traditional banquet-style servings, the overall quantity is certainly several times more generous than typical kaiseki meals. The rich flavors and hearty textures characteristic of Taiwanese cuisine ensure that even the biggest eaters will leave satisfied.

It is particularly noteworthy that the seasoning of the dishes is perfectly balanced. While traditional Taiwanese cuisine often carries the stereotype of being heavy and oily, the chef has intentionally reduced the greasiness, skillfully highlighting the natural sweetness of the ingredients. The rich yet not overwhelming sauces, paired with perfectly cooked rice or chewy noodles, truly make it hard to resist taking one bite after another. The dual satisfaction of enjoying exquisite dishes while feeling full is indeed the most charming aspect of the hospitality offered by Old New Taiwanese Cuisine.

When in Kaohsiung, a coastal city, how can one resist the allure of fresh seafood? Although there is no fixed menu, seafood is undoubtedly the star of the show, expertly crafted by the chefs. Starting with the appetizer, you may be amazed by the sweetness of the thickly sliced sashimi or the abalone marinated with special spices. It is said that the chef personally visits the market each morning to select the finest catch of the day, ensuring that every bite served to guests is an unparalleled delight.

The hot dishes are truly exceptional, often featuring deep-sea fish steamed with garlic and a special sauce. The fish is tender and absorbs the essence of the sauce, making it an irresistible topping over white rice, despite being a calorie bomb. Alternatively, fresh prawns are prepared using the typhoon shelter style, resulting in a crispy, spicy shell while the shrimp meat retains its bouncy, juicy texture. These seafood dishes, bursting with wok hei, perfectly embody the bold and inclusive character of Taiwanese cuisine.

After indulging in a round of hearty savory dishes, how can one possibly finish without a perfect dessert? Here, the star attraction that has garnered immense popularity and rave reviews online is undoubtedly the fragrant bowl of taro sago. Many regulars even jokingly claim that they come to make reservations just for this dessert. The chef uses high-quality taro sourced from Taiwan, simmered until it reaches a perfectly creamy consistency. This is paired with smooth coconut milk and chewy sago, creating a wonderfully rich texture.

This bowl of sago pudding boasts an exceptionally thick texture, with each spoonful filled with delicate taro pieces, and its rich aroma lingers in the mouth long after tasting. Although it may seem like a simple homemade dessert, it encapsulates the chef's meticulous cooking skills. Even if you're already full from your meal, the moment this dessert is served, your sweet tooth will undoubtedly come alive. Don't miss out on this little joy that perfectly concludes your dining experience.

The payment methods at the restaurant are very transparent and straightforward, typically categorized into several different price ranges for customers to choose from. Currently, the common price range falls between NT$800 to NT$1,500, which roughly translates to about HK$200 to HK$400. In Hong Kong, this price might only get you a simple meal at an izakaya, but in Kaohsiung, you can enjoy a complete and exquisite tasting menu of Taiwanese cuisine. The value for money is truly exceptional! It is recommended that you start with the mid-range options to test the waters; the abundance and richness of the dishes will definitely leave you wanting more.

It's important to remind everyone that this restaurant is extremely popular, and since the menu-less dining experience requires specific ingredients to be prepared in advance, they operate strictly on a reservation-only basis. The local regulations are quite stringent, so please do not think about showing up on the same day hoping for a chance to get a table, as this could lead to a wasted trip and ruin your plans! It is advisable to book your reservation two to three weeks in advance via phone or online when planning your visit to Kaohsiung. If you have any specific dietary restrictions or allergies, be sure to inform them at the time of booking; the chef will thoughtfully customize your meal accordingly.

The original location of Lao Xin Taiwanese Cuisine on Jiuru 2nd Road is quite convenient. It is situated in the Sanmin District of Kaohsiung City. If you start from Kaohsiung Train Station, a taxi ride will take you less than ten minutes and is very affordable. Alternatively, if you prefer to walk off your meal, it will take about fifteen to twenty minutes to stroll from the station. For travelers from Hong Kong and Taiwan who are accustomed to public transportation, the accessibility is excellent, and there’s no need to worry about getting lost.

After satisfying your hunger and thirst, there are plenty of attractions nearby worth exploring. You can take a short trip to the Heart of Love River for a leisurely stroll, where you can admire the stunning night views of Kaohsiung. Alternatively, you can visit the expansive lawn at the Kaohsiung Museum of Fine Arts to soak in the artistic atmosphere, allowing yourself to enjoy a pleasant and fulfilling afternoon. Planning a trip to Kaohsiung doesn't have to be overly packed; embracing a leisurely pace of slow dining and wandering is truly the most charming way to experience a vacation in southern Taiwan.

In summary, Lao Xin Taiwanese Cuisine's Jiuru flagship store is not just a restaurant that satisfies hunger; it serves as a bridge that seamlessly connects Taiwan's culinary memories from the past with the quality of modern living. Whether you are a photography enthusiast, a food lover on the hunt for delicious eats, or a traveler seeking nostalgic memories with your family, this place promises an unforgettable dining experience.

When planning your next trip to Kaohsiung, make sure to include this delightful omakase-style Taiwanese restaurant on your must-visit list. Leave behind the stress of choosing dishes and entrust yourself to the chef, preparing for a dual sensory experience that will tantalize both your taste buds and your eyes. Hurry and book your tickets and accommodations—let's get going! We'll see you at the culinary table in southern Taiwan!