Ryoriya Sangokushi ~ Japanese Style Taiwan Cuisine

A place serving Japanese Style Taiwan Cuisine? What do you think it'd be like?  

Ryoriya Sangokushi will give you the answer to that question.

Located in Robertson Quay with a nondescript shopfront, I might have passed by this eatery numerous times without giving it a notice. Fact is, it has already been around for a couple of years! Perhaps you, like me, have easily missed this simple looking place among the many fanciful restaurants and watering holes which surrounds it. I'm glad my friend brought me here for dinner one evening, cos he knows how I love Taiwan and its food. It's good and cheap, he said.

As I stepped into the eatery, the design of the interior reminds me of a Japanese Izakaya (drinking place) or Ramenya (noodle house) with its huge counter fronting an open kitchen, and the bookshelf of magazines and manga (Japanese comics). Furniture is minimalist, with shades of meadow green brightening up the dark wooden interior.

As stated on the cover of the menu, Ryoriya Sangokushi serves Japanese style Taiwan cuisine.  I was expecting fusion food marrying both Japanese and Taiwanese influence, but realized it wasn't the case as I browsed through the menu, which is pretty extensive for an eatery of its size. It offers familiar Japanese starters like edamame, as well as Taiwanese dishes like spring onion pancake, oyster omelette, sanbei chicken, and home-style sauteed tomato with eggs. Not exactly fusion in food, it's more of fusion in concept ~ Taiwanese & Japanese food served in a Japanese style decorated eatery. There is also a good selection of beers and sakes which you may order to go along with your meal.

Deep Fried Fish Skin (S$9++)

Food is served very quickly after we placed our order. We started our dinner with a serving of fish skin which is deep fried to a non-oily, crispy perfection. It's served with a chilli dip by the side, but I feel it's good enough on its own.

Sliced Pork with Garlic Sauce (S$16++)

A cold dish of pork is up next. Thinly sliced and served with garlic sauce, this is strangely addictive and easily had me reaching for it slice after slice. The garlic lover in me would prefer the garlic taste to be a tad stronger, but my friend felt that it's already very strong. The fresh crunchy cucumber serves as a refreshing palate cleanser.

Taiwanese Stewed Pork Meat with Rice (S$4++)

Taiwanese minced pork rice is one of the dishes which I must eat whenever I visit Taiwan. There is something just so comforting about stewed meat in savory sauce served over a bowl of white rice. The version here use pork cubes instead of minced meat. Stewed until tender yet retaining some chewy bite, this had me polishing off the whole bowl.

Spicy Stewed Egg Plant with Minced Pork (S$14++)

Sweet, savory and spicy all at the same time, this is another appetite inducing dish which will go great with a bowl of white rice! Unfortunately, I'm already quite full by then to stomach more rice.

My friend and I were glad we did not over-order as the food portion here are very hearty. I was stuffed by the end of the meal. With its simple, affordable food in a casual, unpretentious environment, Ryoriya Sangokushi does hold its charm against the other dining options in the area. I believe this will not be my last visit. Thanks to my friend for introducing this nice place to me.


Ryoriya Sangokushi
Address: 30 Robertson Quay, #01-03 Riverside View, Singapore 238251
Contact: +65 6238 8962
Opening Hours: Lunch 11:30am - 2.30pm / Dinner 6pm -10.30pm Daily