Taipei's Organic Restaurants: Nude Cuisine, Qi Min Organic Hot Pot, Natural Home, Real Taste

Nude Cuisine

34, Lane 140, ZhongCheng Rd, Sec 2
(02) 2873-3722
Hours: 11:30 am-3 pm, 5:30-10 pm
(closed Mondays)
Credit cards accepted.
10% service charge.

Nude Cuisine offers a range of healthy dishes that employ seasonal ingredients and are cooked without adding any extra spices or seasoning, thus making it "naked". This concept of "food nudity" is origin of their name. Though the restaurant does not have a spacious area for customers to dine in--with only two iron tables and a few dozen chairs--they focus on providing authentic, organic ingredients and wholesome dishes. Nude Cuisine serves a few sets of teppanyaki-style dishes which start at NT$1,500. Although the prices may seem a bit steep, they are reflected in the food quality. Main course selections include imported Japanese Superior-Grade Beef and South Pole Cod. Side dished includes potatoes and carrots from Yunlin, and onions, sweet potatoes and garlic from Hengchun Township in Pingtung. Apart from their own organic vegetable garden near Yangming shan, the owners get their ingredients from the Yongfeng Organic Foods Corporation; the chickens come from an organic, free-range farm in Nantou. Try the Teppanyaki Chicken Steak (NT$450), Steamed Egg with Chicken (NT$150), or one of their curry dishes (NT$270/set). The menu also includes a range of organic teas and coffee. --By Josie Wu, Translated by Ann Lee

Qi Min Organic Hot Pot

128, ZhongXiao E Rd, Sec 4, 2F
(02) 2772-5123
Hours: 11:30 am-2:30 pm, 5:30-10:30 pm
MRT: ZhongXiao/DunHua Station, Exit 6
Credit cards accepted.
10% service charge.

Qi Min, a restaurant owned and operated by YFY Biotech, emphasizes dishes created with organic farm produce. When you step into the restaurant, you'll see that the owners have spent quite some time and money on their decoration and set up. If you like the green life, you'll love their "Green & Safe Organic Treasure Chest", a glass cabinet that displays an array of organic vegetables and fruits. This allows customers to select what they want to purchase and the store's staff will wrap it up and deliver it to their home. Qi Min is especially proud of their homemade hot pot soup. Give the Lu Mountain Chicken selection a try; its secret recipe involves braising the chicken for six hours at exactly 80 degrees Celsius, so you won't see an oil slick floating on top of your soup. Their new seasonal meal sets are especially made to welcome the fall (NT$980-1,280). --By Sharon Huang, Translated by Ann Lee

Natural Home

16, Alley 4, Lane 27, RenAi Rd, Sec. 4 (02) 2721-0832
Hours: Mon-Fri 9 am-11 pm; Sat & Sun 11 am-9 pm
Credit cards accepted.
No Smoking.
Menu in Chinese/English.
www.organicgoods.com.tw

It's hard to know where to begin with Natural Home, a restaurant and store that's been taking a holistic approach to organic life for over 10 years. They serve vegetarian organic meals, including a wholesome selection of homemade noodles that doesn't require any cooking time and come highly recommended. Believing that boiled food loses much goodness, Natural Home developed their own "cold soaked noodles" method. These noodles are seasoned with organic flaxseed oil, crystal salt water and a selection of savory flavors that provide a remarkably textured and pleasant taste sensation. Besides a vast array of products to keep you healthy, Natural Home sells a selection of cosmetic and everyday items. Each of their products is given an "O-Ring" test, which determines whether it's good or harmful to the body. Furthermore, Natural Home emphasises education, with classes ranging from preparing energy soups to "energy medicine" and exercise (check website for comprehensive schedule). Natural Home really stands out as a great place to nourish both body and mind. --By Claire Tyrrell, Translated by Ann Lee

Real Taste

7, Alley 6, Lane 113, MinSheng E Rd, 1F
(02) 2713-5555
Hours: Mon-Sat 8 am-7:30 pm
closed Sundays
Credit cards accepted.
No service charge.
www.realtaste.com.tw

As the number of Taiwanese diners who eat out more than at home grows, Real Taste believes it is important to provide a more nutritious option through all-natural, to-go boxed meals. Real Taste's owner believes that natural, fresh ingredients are tastier and healthier than overly-processed foods. They don't serve any deep-fried selections or top anything with MSG, but they do get a lot of positive feedback about their offerings. Every ingredient is either certified organic or grown in a non-toxic and non-contaminated environment. To ensure quality, the owner even checks the ingredient processing and packaging facilities himself. Each lunch box comes with five items, including things like pickled salads, appetizers, steamed vegetables, eggs and tofu--the flavors vary daily. The main dish is served over a bed of whole grain rice. Nice selections include Braised Ribs (NT$125), the meat-less Mushrooms Box (NT$100), Kung Pao Chicken (NT$100), and Teriyaki Fish (NT$150). To ensure service, call and request lunch boxes in advance. --Written & translated by Diva Yang, Translated by Ann Lee