Sz Chi Chuen Proprietary Dishes Restaurant 47, Tswen Jung (Tsuen Chung) Street (04) 2376-9958 Hours: 11 am-2 pm, 5-9 pm

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Culinary works of art at Sz Chi Chuen

By Niang Chen
Translated by Yvonne Chen

       In the year has been open Sz Chi Chuen Proprietary Dishes Restaurant has gained a loyal following for its exceptional culinary cuisine. In particular, the place has become a favorite with professors and university and hospital administrators.

This medium-sized restaurant is located along the Tsuen Chung (Tswen Jung) Street parkway, not far from the Taiwan Museum of Art. Although a variety of Chinese cuisine is represented here, Shanghainese dishes are the most prominent. Fish Lamb Stew (NT$1,000) is a soup with fresh fish, lamb, bok choy and garlic sprouts for a rich taste filled with sweetness. Pork Shank (NT$1,000), made of steamed shank braised with dried fish and squid, is the result of years of experience. The time-consuming Babao Duck (NT$1,200) is stuffed with eight ingredients--including glutinous rice, red beans, lotus seeds, dates and ham--and is steamed after marinating for two days. The taste is truly moving. These dishes serve eight to 10 people each and must be ordered in advance.

      For regular meals, the manager recommends Cabbage Lion's Head (NT$180), which consists of deep-fried ground pork with water chestnut cooked with Chinese cabbage for a crisp and juicy taste. Red Onion Sparerib (NT$280) is a grilled sparerib with well-cooked red onion. When ordered in advance, it comes with preserved vegetable and buns. Braised Intestine with Eggplant (NT$280), made with deep-fried intestines and eggplants with basil, is slightly spicy and wonderful with beer. Sz Chi Chuen Stinky Tofu (NT$120) consists of two signature, homemade, stinky tofus with green soybeans and minced mushrooms. This dish is spicy without the sting of ordinary stinky tofu; even the soup is smooth.

Business lunches include main courses like Minced Beef with Sour Cabbage, Lamb Chop, Ice Fish, and Garlic Smothered Chicken. Each course comes with vegetables, soup, and fruits or beverage, and is only NT$250 plus 10 percent. The time and quality that goes into the food here makes any sampling of Sz Chi Chuen's proprietary dishes truly an artistic feast.