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COMPASS MAGAZINE, November 2007

	Taichung's BBQ Joints
	Yao Japanese Grill House 123, BoGuan Rd; (04) 3509-5405 Hours: 5 pm-2 am Kitchen closes at 1:30 am, closed on Mon. No service charge. Credit cards not accepted. Yao, a Japanese grilled foods eatery, feels like a cozy sake house. They offer a variety of traditional barbecued foods, marinated dishes, fried foods and rice balls. You can also find some stir-fry dishes like Butter Chicken (NT$160) and Stir-fried Vegetables with Salty Pork (NT$140). As far as grilled foods go, you can try things like Grilled Mushrooms and Bacon, Teriyaki Soy Bean Wraps, chicken wings, Japanese grilled rice dumplings, and vegetables; there are about 30 different menu items to for patrons to choose from, all ranging between NT$15 and NT$35. Chefs here also avoid using too much seasoning, so that you can really taste the meat. Grilled Fish with Vinegar (NT$60) and Codfish Liver with Mustard Seeds in Vinegar Sauce (NT$120) are two of the most popular dishes that regulars like to order. New to their menu, the Hokkaido Stone Hunt Pot (NT$580/large, NT$260/small) is also worth trying. --By Amelie, translated by Ann Lee
	Stone Japanese Grill 148, HanKou Rd, Sec 2 (other branches on CongDe Rd and in Dali) (04) 2317-5757 Hours: 11-12 am (kitchen closes at 11:30 pm) Credit cards accepted. 10 % service charge. No service charge for parties of 20+. What better deal can you get than all-you-can-eat barbecue? None--that's why Stone is always busy. Apart from the beef selection, which includes fatty Japanese beef, boneless shoulder beef ribs, sirloin steaks and diced beef, customers can try a whole range of other meats. Pork offerings include pre-seasoned, ready-to-serve intestines, ribs, and curry. If you like what the ocean has to offer, try their miso codfish, squid, and scallops. Outside the grill, Stone serves ever-so-popular items like sushi, handrolls, and cold dishes like Hot Spring Eggs, Japanese Cold Noodles, and Korean scallops. Their salad variety includes Squid & Abalone, He-Feng style Onion Salad, and Lobster Salad. As far as desserts go, the have everything from Japanese-style rice cakes to cotton candy and brownies. On weekdays, lunch is only NT$329 per person; dinner and weekend meals are NT$429 per person. There are also private seating areas for groups of 16 or more; call in advance for reservations. --By Amelie, translated by Ann Lee
	Ji Wu Yakiniku 340, TaiZhongGang Rd, Sec 1 (04) 2326-7755 Hours: 11:30 am-2 pm, 5:30-10:30 pm Located across from SOGO Department Store, the popular restaurant Ji Wu Yakiniku is undergoing some exciting changes. Starting in November, the restaurant will offer a series of quality set meals that will cost NT$338 per person and feed two. With the meals, choose from beef (boneless ribs, stomach), pork (Mitsusaka, fatty pork), or seafood (shrimp, squid and codfish); they also come with grilled vegetable platters. Besides the main meat, choose from three other grilled foods; choices include beef tongue, Korean pork ribs, French lamb chops, or fish. The meal is also accompanied by fresh salad and pickled vegetables. If that's not enough, you can get soup, rice, Japanese-style udon noodles, freshly-squeezed juice, green tea-flavored ice cream, and fruity cream yogurt with the meal. Also, starting this month their Prime Set Meal is on sale for NT$568. The top-quality ingredients in this meal include Superior Ribeye Steak, thickly-sliced beef ribs, Matsusaka Pork, prawns, and a seafood platter. --By Amelie, translated by Ann Lee
	Hanaya 69, JhongZheng St; (04) 2321-1141 / 2325-4180 Hours: weekdays 5-11 pm Sat 12-2:30 pm, 5-11 pm Sun 12-2:30 pm, 5-9:30 pm Credit cards accepted. 10% service charge. To create first-class taste and high-quality standards, Hanaya's Japanese owner, Sumio-satomi, is especially particular about picking out the finest ingredients for his food. If something doesn't pass his quality test, he won't serve it. When it comes to the grilled selections, he knows that, besides fine meats, the marinades and dipping sauces are what really make the taste--he spent six months creating and developing the spicy miso paste alone. The secret to cooking the popular Chilled Beef Boneless Short Prime Rib Prime (NT$340) is to leave it on the grill only about 10 seconds per side. Although the meat tastes great on its own, try dipping it in some green onions, garlic, and miso paste. The Superior Beef Tongue (NT$200), is an evenly-sliced, tender cut that goes well with Hanaya's exclusive sauce. The Superior Pork Boneless Short Plate (NT$150) offers a balance of lean and fat and is best served with a sprinkle of rock salt. If you like it spicy, try the Korean Chili Beef Rice (or pork, NT$130). --By Uvia Chang, translated by Ann Lee