Xianghe Xiáng Hé Serenity - Taipei

The menu is lengthy and has something for everyone. However, I was a bit put off by the naming of some dishes, which seemed inappropriate or insensitive. I mean, do you really have to call stir fried mushrooms “vegetarian intestines”? The food was tasty and the portions were large even for the SMALL size of the dishes. The venue is nice (although the light was a bit cold and clinical) and is worth checking out, but be prepared to ignore some of the dish names. It’s cash only and they charge 10% service fee.

I made a reservation over the phone, but it did take me several attempts to get anything but a busy signal. We had a party of nine for a Wednesday dinner at 18:00, but they were already out of the large round tables and asked if we would be okay with sitting at a long table instead. (Sure, no biggie. The entrance is not grandiose: it made me feel cozy when I saw it though. We were ushered in to our table, and they didn’t mind that there was some baby food brought in from outside the restaurant to feed a baby as long as the ingredients didn’t include any meat or fish. We were a little overwhelmed by the lengthy menu, but the six adults of the party each chose one or two dishes as the waitress came around to each of us. She offered advice and helped communicate what others had already ordered so that we could avoid redundancy, not just in dishes but also in flavors (e.g., Thai basil . I thought that was helpful, as well as her confirmation of whether any of the dishes we ordered contained any foods that I’m allergic to. If you’re gluten-free, avoid the noodles, dumplings, and mock meats. They also have a couple of dishes that contain peanuts. But their menu is allium-free. I enjoyed the smoky tofu skin that was on the table as an appetizer when we arrived. The vegan intestines were also fantastic: dehydrated and sautéed oyster mushrooms that had a nice bite. The cucumber (mung bean, which is gluten-free noodle salad was refreshing. I adored the steamed stinky tofu stew and devoured two squares and some of the soup. The lion’s mane mushroom with broccoli was so juicy compared to other restaurants I’ve been to. We ordered the medium sizes for all of the dishes, which was the right amount for six adults, one teenager, one toddler, and one baby. One of my friends did also order wontons in chili oil, but I didn’t try it since it contained gluten. It didn’t look right though: it was missing the dish’s signature red chili oil! And I was told that the filing didn’t taste quite right: it was more like a vegetable dumpling. (She was expecting more of a mock ground pork texture. The brown sugar rice cakes were so good that we bought 2 orders (10 each to take home and enjoy. The outer layer of mochi was delicate and soft, and the texture of the filling was so fine: get these! I thought it was odd that they don’t accept credit cards when the price point is a bit higher than your standard hole in the wall. But I guess that’s just how they roll. Updated from previous review on 2020-07-29

The menu was extensive, but the waitress helped us navigate it and avoid ordering duplicate dishes. They were accommodating to dietary restrictions, offering nut-free options and dishes without allium. The appetizers, including the smoky tofu skin and vegan darm, were delicious. The gurke nudelsalat was refreshing, and the lion's mane mushroom with broccoli was juicy. We ordered medium-sized dishes, which were the right amount for our group. The chili oil wontons were reportedly good, but I couldn't try them due to gluten. The desserts, particularly the mochi, were a standout. It was disappointing that they didn't accept credit cards, considering their slightly higher prices. Overall, a good dining experience with unique dishes and friendly service.

I absolutely adored the food at this restaurant. Every dish was fantastic and the service was very attentive. Make sure to book ahead as reservations are necessary, and some dishes require pre-ordering. This was by far the best restaurant I tried in Taipei. I can't wait to visit again next time I'm in town!

The food at this restaurant is amazing! I was hesitant about trying the "vegetarian intestines" but it turned out to be delicious mushrooms with basil. The stir fry was packed with flavor and truly one of the best meals I have had in Taiwan. The prices are a bit high and they add a 10% surcharge to the bill. You can choose between small, medium, or large portions. #Veganuary.