Sukiya – 10 Most Popular Restaurant Chains in Taiwan

One of the most popular restaurant chains in Taiwan, specifically in northern Taiwan (including Taichung), is Sukiya. Known as すき家 in Japanese and 食其家 (shí qí jiā) in Chinese, this Japanese restaurant chain is a favorite to students and workers for its speed and modest prices. With many stores staying open for 24hrs, it’s no wonder that this brand is so famous in Taiwan.

Established in 1982 in Yokohama, Sukiya quickly gained popularity in Japan through promoting the simple gyudon, which has since become a staple of Japanese cuisine. Since its launch, Sukiya has opened 2,000 stores in Japan and over 600 locations worldwide including locations in China, Brazil, Mexico, and Taiwan.

It’s then no wonder that Sukiya is ‘Japan’s leading Gyudon chain’ and winner of the World Brand Award for 6 years running (2016-2022).

But what actually is gyudon and how can a gyudon restaurant become so popular?

What is Gyudon?

Gyudon 牛丼 is a Japanese beef bowl that’s made up of onions, rice, soy sauce, and beef (of course). According to Sukiya, the dish originated from a beef hotpot called ‘SUKIYAKI’, which was popularized in Yokohama during the Meiji era. Since the dish of gyudon uses similar seasonings to suyikdish, its name was taken and shortened into ‘SUKIYA’.

An additional derivation of Sukiya’s name comes from 好き(suki) meaning ‘to like’ in Japanese. As 家 means ‘house’ in both Japanese and Chinese, the name is therefore intended to mean ‘a store that customers like’.

Sukiya Taiwan

The simple gyudon has transformed fast food culture in Taiwan. Whereas before, and still, $79 could get one fried chicken breakfast burger with egg (+$10) and cheese (+$10), Sukiya can instead offer customers a healthy and filling meal that satisfies each of the necessary food groups. What’s more, with such a range of options available, both for the breakfast menu and all-day menu, there is something for every food preference.

Breakfast Menu: 5am-10.30am

All Day Menu

Where can I find a store?

Stores are only found in northern Taiwan, so for anyone past Taichung or down south you’re out of luck. That being said, travel to Taipei – where there are 16 restaurants operating for 24hrs – is easy. We’re not saying you should travel all the way just for a gyudon fix, but if you’re ever in the area you should definitely pay a visit.

If going out to eat isn’t quite your vibe, Sukiya is also available on popular food delivery apps like UberEats and FoodPanda. This is dependent on the store though, so it’s worth checking here whether your nearest store supports either of these apps.

Conclusion

Experience: 7.5 / 10

For what it’s worth, Sukiya is definitely one of the cheapest and convenient food options in Taiwan. Is the food amazing? Not particularly, but if you’re looking for a satisfying filling meal, then this is your best bet because it never disappoints.

Price: 9 / 10

There is no doubt that Sukiya’s price is incredibly cheap for what they offer. The vast range of meals and bowls available also means that there’s something for everyone.

Want something smaller? Order from the kid’s menu. Not only is there no age limit like other restaurants, but it also comes with a wafer dessert and a juice box. What more could you want? (Note: the 小朋友咖喱 is a favourite of this author).

Want More?

Want more awesome articles from CovertProfession? Check out the best travel destinations in Taiwan for this summer on our Study Abroad and Travel page! Watch out for more advice on where to study, where to travel, and most importantly where to eat at Explore Taiwan.

~ If you happen to try Sukiya, we would love to hear what you think! Leave a comment below or drop us an email at [email protected].