Genta
Google
Chuan Ya 川雅 on the 45th floor of Breeze Xinyi was one of my favorite dining moments in Taipei — thanks to the perfect weather, breathtaking Taipei 101 and sunset views, and one of the most refined modern Sichuan menus I’ve had. After weeks of rain, the golden hour light made everything feel cinematic. The setting alone is worth a visit, but the food? Absolutely incredible.
I had the chef’s tasting menu, and it instantly brought me back to my trip to Chengdu — bold, fragrant, layered, yet elevated. We started with beautifully presented Chao Bai canapés — dried fruits, amber walnuts, and numbing peanuts — followed by fresh Sichuan-style pickles and a stunning hot appetizer platter (think abalone, crispy chicken skin, and century egg).
The clear “state banquet” broth was a standout — delicate, layered, and full of umami, with a cabbage centerpiece floating like a lotus. The Taiwanese mountain pepper-roasted squab was perfectly crisp, marinated in over a dozen spices. The braised fish in doubanjiang was deeply savory and complex, while the fish-fragrant caul-wrapped lobster was a creative twist on a Sichuan classic — crisp outside, melting inside, served with vibrant Yuxiang sauce.
A palate cleanser broth and thoughtful “in-between” small bite helped pace the meal beautifully. Then came the highlight: Golden sour soup with fish maw and crispy rice, rich and tangy with layers of seafood and pickled veggies — a loving tribute to the chef’s mentor. Dessert with bird’s nest closed the night with elegance.
From flavor to storytelling, Chuan Ya delivers on every level — made even more unforgettable by that dazzling Taipei skyline.