Dinner last night at Kingyo Japanese Restaurant. Japan ruled Taiwan from 1895 - 1945, so it’s not surprisingly to find good Japanese eats throughout this island.
Kingyo has the best QPR of any restaurant (not just Japanese) that I’ve ever eaten at. The fish is super fresh, although not as rare or exotic as at the more expensive exclusive sushiya. The dinner sets offer a nice complementary variety of ingredients and cooking methods that more than satisfies our seafood itch.
We know from previous experience, do not order the more pricey full on sets. I never thought I would ever say this about any Japanese restaurant: TOO MUCH FOOD!!
On our last two visits, my wife and I could not finish our fish. Never happened before. We took a kitty bag home with us.
My only minor quibble is the fish cuts are enormous. We are not dainty eaters, but are still shocked when we get our sashimi course. Large cuts are Kingyo’s SOP, not a sign of amateur exuberance.
Tonight, I ordered the Classic Set @ NT$699 = USD$22.60. My partner splashed out for the Lobster Set @ NT$799 = USD$25.83. Big spenders, huh?
Started with sashimi. Her Lobster Set had the slab of Maguro.
Salmon Salad to cleanse the palate.
A couple of Tuna Rolls. The expensive set got the Ikura topping, economy got Sesame.
Burdock Noodles w/ Ikura. Like natto. Too slimy for me, more for her.
The courses started coming in hard and fast. At the onset of our meal, my wife has expressed concern to our server that we may not have enough room on the bar for all the dishes. The server replied, in Taiwanese dialect: “Eat Hard, Eat Real Hard!!!”. 
Lightly Batter Fried Taro and Shiitake
Salmon Kama. Silky smooth with delicate seasonings.
Grilled Pork Belly wrapped Cherry Tomato and Prawn. The burst of tartness paired well with the salty fatty pork. (Pictures getting worse, I was too busy Kobayashi-ing to keep ahead of the flow)
Miso Soup w/ Fish Skin. Skin was a bit rubbery to me, and I usually enjoy skin of fish.
After a pregnant pause, wife asked if can relax or do we had anything else coming. Server laughed. Ah yes, the Main Course. Sheesh.
Some Sweet Bean Soup to finish.
With 3 small chilled Sake (we were eating so hard and fast, couldn’t imbibe at our normal rate), the total all inclusive came to… drumroll please… USD$68.30.
That’s just a tad under our average bar tab at home.
On previous occasions.
Abalone on Salad.
Even more sashimi, from The deluxe Set.
Half Fishhead. Delicious!!
Half Spiny Lobster.
Walked back to our hotel, marveling at another nice meal at Kingyo. We’ll be back. Excellent start to three weeks of indulgence.
