Wang Steak: First Meal in Taiwan

Yes, that’s right. My first real dinner in Taiwan was spent eating Western-style steak. It probably should have been oyster omelets, stinky tofu, and beef noodle soup washed down with Taiwan beer, but my relatives decided that I probably don’t get enough steak in California and brought me to Wang Steak for dinner.

The place has many hints of steakhouses back home, such as Ruth’s Chris or Mortons, and without looking at the servers or Chinese menu, you’d probably believe you never left the country. Much like all western steakhouses, you get a level of service that you’re not used to in Taiwan. There’s a valet out front for your vehicle, your server’s name card is on the table, and a small militia of helpers work your table.

When you come here, you’ll have to make reservations, which can be hard on a good night. My cousin called all five locations in Taipei and was only able to secure a 4 person Saturday night reservation at one store (Guangfu S. Road). Your dinner also will likely take two hours to serve you all seven courses.

Seafood salad for starters. Cold shrimp and octopus tentacles. Salad’s never really that noteworthy for me. They also serve bread and mini croissants with pate, a nice touch.

You can’t tell by looking at this, but it’s actually oxtail soup underneath. I love oxtail soup, but it seems a bit weird to have a flaky crust over a clear broth. It’s much better to dip into something creamy and chowdery, so I just kicked it aside and concentrated on the flavorful liquid underneath.

Now, the main course: Wang Steak. My Chinese is really rough, but from what I gathered, this bone-in rib meat was raised and imported from New Zealand. You get a choice between New Zealand with bone or North American without bone, so I opted for the cow that I’m less likely to get in California. This actually isn’t recommended by my waitress or now, by me. The continental cow is fattier and more tender than its rougher yet flavorful kiwi brother. Either way you choose, however, you have no choice in how it’s cooked. They will only do well done for this cut, which would probably elicit shudders from my rare-plus steak loving friend. Fortunately, they have a crusted tenderloin and other menu options that can be cooked to order.

Other courses that come with the meal include wine, sour plum juice, and a fruit plate. Here is the dessert I ordered because I’m a sucker for almond tofu. It’s almond tofu pudding topped with black sesame ice cream – totally delicious. But, I’m not a fan of the still frozen raspberries that they serve on the side. I know they’re not a native fruit, but with so many options on the island, why import and serve a frozen berry?

All in all, it’s a pretty good steak house. A meal here ran us about $40 a person (before coupon), so it’s rather high for Taiwan people but not for foreigners with steak cravings. It’s not one I would probably frequent if it were in LA or think about going to if I only had 72 hours in Taipei, but if you’re here for a longer time and feeling like something fancy, this is definitely a restaurant that would form the beginning of the line. Well, that is, until I eat at the Lawry’s in the Core Pacific Mall.

Fear not, I am eating a ton of Taiwanese delicacies as well. More to come!

Wang Steak（Taipei Zhongshan Store）	（02）2536-1350	2F., No.33, Sec. 2, Zhongshan N. Rd., Taipei City
Wang Steak（Banciao Wunhua Store）	（02）2272-2016	1F., No.71, Sec. 1, Wunhua Rd., Banciao City, Taipei County
Wang Steak（Guangfu S. Store）	（02）2325-3478	2F., No.612, Guangfu S. Rd., Taipei City
Wang Steak（Nanjing E. Store）	（02）8770-7989	No.167, Sec. 4, Nanjing E. Rd., Taipei City
Wang Steak（Heping E.Store）	（02）2393-3689	No.177-3, Sec. 1, Heping E. Rd., Taipei City

Alex

January 4, 2010 at 7:51 pm

dude, great pictures. looks like there was a light in the middle though. hate when that happens. i wudda loved that seafood salad. that piece of well done meat? yah… shudder. im trying my next steak “black and blue”.

bagnatic

January 7, 2010 at 5:56 pm

steak with fat is gooooood. and nothing beats a fat ass north american…yes, i’m still talking about cows. it is rather nice of your relatives. did they think it odd that you took pictures of your food?

Alex @mwp

January 7, 2010 at 10:51 pm

Yeah I picked a bad place to sit for picture taking.. I’m learning these little tricks every day. The younger relatives didn’t think it was odd but the older generation sure did.

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