Old Kushi Izakaya Yonghe Branch｜Highly Rated and Popular Izakaya Recommendation in Yonghe

Old Kushi Izakaya Yonghe Branch is a highly popular Japanese-style izakaya located on Yongzhen Road’s bustling street of stir-fry eateries, near the Yongan Market MRT station. It’s a top spot I frequent with friends for late-night gatherings in Yonghe. The food at Old Kushi Izakaya primarily consists of grilled skewers, offering excellent value for money and a genuine Japanese atmosphere. This is a perfect spot for friends to enjoy skewers and drinks without breaking the bank. It’s highly recommended to make a reservation for Fridays and Saturdays.

Where is Old Kushi Izakaya Located?

Old Kushi Izakaya Yonghe Branch is about a 5 to 6-minute walk from Yongan Market MRT station. The area around Yongzhen Road offers several parking options, making it convenient for both public transit users and drivers. Nearby, bus routes (such as 707 and 706) also provide quick access to Old Kushi.

Walking Route from MRT

Old Kushi Izakaya Dining Atmosphere

The ambiance of Old Kushi is immediately noticeable from the entrance, with a strong Japanese izakaya decor. Although the interior space is small, it’s comfortable and has a lively, cozy vibe typical of an izakaya. Seating is limited, so making a phone reservation is advised, especially during dinner hours when there’s often a waiting list.

The izakaya serves until late night, with drinks available until 1:30 AM, making it a good choice for a late-night meal.

The interior decor of Old Kushi Izakaya Yonghe Branch has a wooden base, creating a deep Japanese-style ambiance. The walls are adorned with Japanese izakaya banners and decorations, adding an oriental flair. This brings back memories of family-style izakayas in Okinawa, giving the feel of a small Japanese tavern. It’s a cozy gathering spot for friends.

Old Kushi Izakaya Menu

Old Kushi Izakaya Yonghe Branch menu offers a variety of classic Japanese dishes, including skewers, fried foods, stir-fries, and desserts, covering beef, pork, chicken, seafood, and vegetables, as well as a range of Japanese-style desserts and drinks. Popular dishes include scallion beef rib, salt-grilled Matsusaka pork, chicken wings with scallops, and the highly recommended Kushi fried rice.

Mentaiko Yam

Mentaiko Yam features thick slices of yam topped with mentaiko, torched for added flavor. The spicy aroma and texture of mentaiko complement the mild, soft yam, making it an appetizing starter that emphasizes texture.

Kushi Fried Rice

Kushi Fried Rice is a must-order at Old Kushi Izakaya Yonghe Branch. It combines chopped pickled chili with rice and Matsusaka pork, stir-fried to perfection. The rice grains are distinct, with the flavor evenly distributed and a smoky wok aroma, making it flavorful yet light.

Sake-Steamed Clams

The Sake-Steamed Clams are steamed with sake, which removes the clams’ fishy taste while preserving their natural sweetness. The broth has a light sake aroma, enhancing the freshness of the clams. Every sip of the broth is full of clam flavor, refreshing the palate during the meal.

Salt-Grilled Boneless Beef Ribs

The Salt-Grilled Boneless Beef Ribs are tender and juicy, seasoned with only salt to highlight the flavor of the beef. Each bite carries the smoky aroma from the charcoal grill, making it a perfect pairing with drinks.

Stir-Fried Matsusaka Pork with Water Lily

The Stir-Fried Matsusaka Pork with Water Lily is a light and healthy stir-fry dish with crispy water lily and tender Matsusaka pork, delivering a refreshing taste that’s neither greasy nor heavy.

Japanese Cheese Balls

Japanese Cheese Balls are a must-try dessert. These seemingly ordinary balls are filled with cheese, which melts in your mouth when hot and has a slight pull when cooled. The flavor is a delightful mix of salty and sweet, perfect for after-dinner enjoyment.

Mentaiko Chicken Skewers

The Mentaiko Chicken Skewers are visually appealing, with mentaiko mayonnaise adding a spicy, umami taste to the skewers, complemented by the satisfying texture of tender chicken meat.

Scallion and Salt Wagyu Ribs

The Scallion and Salt Wagyu Ribs feature tender Wagyu beef paired with plenty of salted scallions, grilled to a crispy exterior with a juicy interior. The saltiness of the scallions complements the delicate flavor of the Wagyu beef, offering a multi-layered taste experience.

Chicken Wings with Fresh Scallops

The Chicken Wings with Fresh Scallops is a signature creative dish at Old Kushi, featuring deboned chicken wings stuffed with fresh scallops. The crispy, golden exterior of the chicken wings and the plump, juicy scallops inside make for a flavorful, unique treat.

Spicy Chicken Thigh Skewers with Scallions

The Grilled Squid is made from thick slices of fresh squid, charcoal-grilled to preserve its natural sweetness. A squeeze of citrus adds aroma and removes any fishy taste, making it tender and not overly chewy, a refreshing change from the meat-heavy skewers.

Honey Mustard Chicken Thigh Skewers with Scallions

The Honey Mustard Chicken Thigh Skewers with Scallions is another creative skewer at Old Kushi Izakaya, with the grilled chicken thigh paired with a special honey mustard sauce. The mild char from the grill combines with the rich, flavorful sauce, perfect for those who enjoy a moist texture.

Rock Salt Lychee Sapporo Beer / White Grape Sapporo Beer

For drinks, we tried the Rock Salt Lychee Sapporo and White Grape Sapporo, two Japanese beers with rich fruit flavors. They’re balanced and enjoyable, pairing well with the bold flavors of the skewers, and have a low alcohol content, making it easy to enjoy a few more glasses.

Dining Impressions at Old Kushi Izakaya

Old Kushi Izakaya is my go-to Japanese izakaya for gatherings with friends in Yonghe. Must-tries include the Salt-Grilled Boneless Beef Ribs, Salt-Grilled Matsusaka Pork, Scallion and Salt Wagyu Ribs, and Chicken Wings with Fresh Scallops. Besides the fresh ingredients, the cozy atmosphere is what I value most, making it our regular late-night hangout spot.

By the way, the restaurant’s glass door features the “Uber Eats Partner” sign, indicating that Old Kushi Izakaya offers delivery, so you can enjoy delicious izakaya dishes without leaving home!

Old Kushi Izakaya｜Restaurant Information

• Branch: Yonghe Branch
• Address: No. 299, Yongzhen Rd., Yonghe District, New Taipei City
• Phone: 02 2920 8883
• Business Hours: 17:30-01:30 (food served until 24:00, drinks until 01:30)