As an international food hub, Taipei offers a diverse range of seafood options, from traditional Taiwanese seafood to Japanese live seafood and creative seafood dishes. This article curates Taipei's most distinctive seafood restaurants, suitable for both banquets and everyday dining.
Featured Highlights
Taipei's seafood restaurants stand out for their blend of diverse culinary cultures with fresh ingredients. Key highlights include:
Diverse Culinary Styles: Taipei brings together Taiwanese, Japanese, Hong Kong-style, and creative seafood cuisines, allowing diners to savor seafood flavors from different cultures.
High Freshness: Many restaurants feature live tanks or direct deliveries from fishing ports, ensuring seafood freshness. Supermarket-style venues like Addiction allow customers to select fresh catches directly.
Great Value: Compared to other cities, Taipei offers many affordable yet high-quality seafood restaurants, with abundant à la carte options and set menus suitable for various group sizes.
Recommended Spots
Addiction
Located near Xingtian Temple Station, Addiction is Taipei's popular seafood supermarket and restaurant combined. Its biggest feature is the "standing consumption" culture—customers can select fresh seafood from the supermarket area and then enjoy it standing in the designated area. Must-try items include牡丹蝦 (botan ebi), sweet shrimp, and bluefin tuna sashimi, each slice delivering ultimate freshness. Sea urchin gunkan sushi is another signature, with its melt-in-your-mouth texture that leaves you craving more. Besides raw dishes, they also offer grilled seafood and hot pot sets, with a relaxed atmosphere perfect for those seeking quick, high-quality seafood. Note that queues may form during peak hours.
Xiangyun Tea Cuisine
Located in Zhongshan District, Xiangyun Tea Cuisine is a long-established seafood restaurant in Taipei, renowned for refined Taiwanese seafood dishes. The exterior exudes traditional charm while the interior is elegantly decorated, making it ideal for family gatherings or business banquets. Their signature "Steamed Fresh Fish" uses the day's freshest fish, simply flavored with ginger and scallions to showcase the ingredient's natural taste. The fish meat is tender and sweet, a must-order for repeat customers. Fish maw in clay pot is another classic, with a rich yet refreshing broth and generous portions. Overall, Xiangyun's cuisine leans toward traditional Taiwanese flavors, not over-seasoned, allowing the seafood's freshness to shine through. Reservations are recommended, especially on weekends.
Xingpenglai Taiwanese Seafood
Located on Section 7 of Zhongshan North Road, Xingpenglai is a locals' favorite Taiwanese seafood restaurant. They pride themselves on "the freshest" seafood, with large live tanks where customers can personally select ingredients. Their signature "Poached Live Shrimp" is a must-try, using energetic grass shrimp, blanched in boiling water, and served with special sauce. The shrimp meat is springy and sweet, fully preserving the seafood's natural flavor. "Steamed Crab with Glutinous Rice" is another popular dish, with rich crab roe and flavorful sticky rice—a classic wedding banquet item. Overall pricing is moderate, suitable for gatherings wanting satisfying meals without compromising on quality.
Xianyu Live Seafood
Located in Neihu District, Xianyu Live Seafood is known for affordable live seafood. The exterior may be unassuming, but it's a hidden favorite among local Neihu residents. Their biggest feature is the "fish market direct" pricing advantage—seafood is fresh and reasonably priced. Recommended is "Steamed Grouper," featuring tender, delicate fish meat, steamed to perfection, dressed with soy sauce and scallions—simple yet delicious. Stir-fried clams is another signature, with savory, rice-loving sauce and plump clam meat. Overall, Xianyu offers affordable, home-style cuisine, perfect for family dinners or casual gatherings with friends.
Pang Si Wo Seafood Restaurant
Located in the Eastern District, Pang Si Wo Seafood Restaurant has a playful name and is famous for creative seafood dishes. The restaurant features a trendy style, blending Italian and Japanese cooking techniques for diverse seafood options. "Wellington Salmon" is their signature—crispy exterior with tender salmon inside, a rich layered experience. "Mentaiko Grilled Scallops" is another popular dish, with the perfect fusion of dairy richness and seafood umami. This spot is ideal for those who love creative cuisine and younger crowds, with a reasonable minimum spend, perfect for celebrating special occasions.
Practical Information
Transportation: Most Taipei seafood restaurants are located along MRT lines, making the MRT the most convenient option. Addiction is near Xingtian Temple Station (about 3 minutes walk); Xiangyun Tea Cuisine is between Zhongshan Station and Songjiang Nanjing Station; Xingpenglai can be reached via MRT to Zhongshan Elementary School Station; Xianyu Live Seafood is best reached by car or taxi.
Average Cost: Average seafood restaurant spending is approximately NT$300-800 per person, while upscale restaurants may exceed NT$1,500. Addiction operates as a supermarket-restaurant combo, with individual sushi pieces ranging from NT$80-200; Xiangyun and Xingpenglai are full-service restaurants, with set menus around NT$500-1,000.
Business Hours: Most seafood restaurants serve lunch from 11:30-14:00 and dinner from 17:30-21:00, with some closed on Mondays. It's recommended to call ahead to confirm hours and reservation services.
Travel Tips
1. Make Reservations: Popular restaurants like Xiangyun and Xingpenglai are fully booked on weekends—it's recommended to call 2-3 days in advance.
2. Avoid Peak Times: Addiction is relatively quieter on weekday lunches, but busier in the evenings and weekends. To avoid queues, consider non-peak hours.
3. Live Seafood Selection: At restaurants offering live seafood, you can personally select from the tanks—usually weighed and priced in front of you.
4. Seasonal Specialties: Some seafood dishes change with the seasons—for example, autumn is the best time for crab, so check the restaurant's seasonal menu.
5. Parking Information: Some restaurants don't have designated parking, so consider using public transport or researching nearby parking lots in advance.
Whether you're seeking upscale dining or affordable delicious options, Taipei's seafood scene has something for everyone. Hopefully this guide will help you discover more culinary surprises during your seafood adventure in Taipei.
