Xiao Lin Seafood Restaurant

The 38 Best Restaurants in Taipei | Eater

"Eateries dishing out re chao are an integral part of Taiwanese dining culture. The atmosphere at these ultra-casual eateries tends toward large, raucous groups, and the food — salty, oil-drenched, and inexpensive — is the ideal accompaniment for bottle after bottle of cold Taiwan Beer. The city is inundated with re chao, typically festooned by red lanterns. Xiao Lin has garnered cult status for its exceptionally fresh seafood, ranging from fried clams, thick slices of sashimi, shrimp balls laced with pineapple and mayonnaise, and buttery, fat prawns dipped in soy sauce and wasabi. You’ll also find reliable versions of grilled steak and other re chao staples like three-cup chicken and stewed stinky tofu. [$ - $$]" - Clarissa Wei