Central District, Taichung City｜Chin Chih Yuan (Central)

Juicy pork rib with rice and soup set at NT150. Michelin for three years. Come early (opens at 11am) to avoid peak lunch crowd. While price has increased, the quality of food is good and you can eat in air-con comfort. A different experience from eating at night market. Recommended dishes: 香酥排骨飯, A 菜.

Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant that serves rice that was originally cooked in a woven basket. The fried chicken was very good! Crispy skin, juicy and tender meat. Rice was well… rice. Fluffy with each grain still intact and a bit sticky. Your quintessential Taiwanese Pearl Rice. Pork chop was with bone and it was marinated just nice and deep fried to perfection. Takes skills to debone the meat from the T-bone even with fork and knife, not to mention we were only given chopsticks so I went and used my hands. The kimchi was normal but the fried Romain Lettuce was sweet with a bit of wok heat. A believable Bib Gourmand.

I've seen this place many times while walking or driving in this area, but there was always a long line outside, so I've never had the chance to visit. Last week I was in this neighborhood a little later than usual and looking for lunch, and low and behold, the line was much shorter! I queued up, ordered the chicken leg rice which is served with miso/tofu soup, and I ordered a side of cabbage, and oh, my goodness is that a fantastic meal for an incredibly reasonable price! NT190/US6. The chicken is as good as any Thai restaurant's (which is usually my choice of chicken if I want it fried), with succulent flavor and crispy skin, and served with a delicious bowl of rice which I topped with two spoons of their spicy sauce. The delightfully balanced miso soup and quickly sauteed cabbage with extra garlic and peppers were wonderful as well. On my second visit, I had the water spinach which was perfect, and I'm sure I'll be coming to this place for many years to come. For this price, this is one of the most scrumptious and balanced meals anywhere, the service is quick and friendly, and the ambience warm and inviting. And remember, they've been doing this for 47 years!