CHECK inn 台中黎明

An old property in an alley has been remodelled to house this low-profile restaurant. A pared-down interior and casual vibe set the scene, while a Japanese-style wooden counter frames the open kitchen. Taiwanese home cooking and small plates define the concise menu. Try sorghum liquor-scented Kinmen sausages in a crisp thin casing. Salt-baked chicken leg with sweet corn is another must-try, best enjoyed with a bowl of braised pork rice.

The chef worked in France and Italy for 30 years before opening her restaurant in 2003, relocating to this elegant space in 2017. She uses mostly local ingredients in seven- to nine-course prix fixe menus with a choice of mains. Changing every season, the precisely executed menus never fail to surprise with their whimsical ideas and vivid colours. Her signature use of wine, Asian spices and herbs lends her dishes exceptional depth and aromas.

(The restaurant is temporarily closed.) JL is Jimmy Lim, a Singaporean chef who honed his skills in world-famous kitchens. His single evening set menu pays tribute to his heritage and experience with original creations that strike a fine balance of flavours. The dishes are complex, sophisticated and understated with an element of surprise. Singaporean staples like satay and chilli crab are re-imagined in ingenious forms and textures that playfully subvert expectations.

This paradise for beef lovers is just the ticket for discerning connoisseurs. The young owner-chef knows his cattle inside out and sources prize-winning breeds from all over Japan, including Akage Wagyu from Kumamoto and some rare ones not found elsewhere. Both the set and à la carte menus showcase premium cuts that are perfectly grilled to your order by the highly-skilled team. They also explain every cut in detail, together with where they source their produce.

With just 8 tables, this little gem is its owner’s pride and joy. Much effort went into the fine details – red bricks against terrazzo walls, bespoke hand-thrown ceramic dinnerware against sleek wood furniture. The aptly named ‘noodles extraordinaire’, artisan ramen dressed in a secret chilli and sesame sauce, are quite unique. Golden, crispy potstickers take 30 minutes to prepare but are well worth the wait.

Both the owner and his wife are beef lovers, and Ke Kou is their brainchild. The signature noodle soup with red braised beef and sinew boasts a complex and rich broth – simmered for hours with 35 different Chinese herbs – that perfectly complements the springy noodles and tender Australian beef shin. Another must-try is their noodles dressed in duo sauces – the mildly sweet homemade sesame peanut paste, and the savoury bean sauce fried fresh daily.

This late-night supper venue is perfect for night owls, and the later it gets, the busier it becomes. Unsurprisingly, braised pork rice is the bestseller – freshly slaughtered pork is stewed in soy, sugar, wine and shallot until gelatinous and bouncy. Top with pickles or spicy dried radish to cut through the richness. Served in bento boxes, the rice comes with sides like shredded bamboo shoot, braised napa cabbage and fried tofu.