Taiwan's Hardest-to-Book Buffet 'Island Taste' Opens in Taichung, Fully Booked Through September

Han-lai Gourmet's premium buffet brand, "Island Taste," has officially opened its fourth location in Taichung, Taiwan, marking a significant expansion for the company. The new branch, situated in the Taichung Shin Kong Mitsukoshi Department Store, aims to set a new standard for buffet dining in central Taiwan. This opening follows successful launches in Taipei, Kaohsiung, and Taoyuan, with plans for two more branches in Taipei and Tainan by year-end, bringing the total to six.

"Island Taste" is designed to offer a more exclusive dining experience, with the Taichung branch occupying a spacious 500 ping (approximately 1,650 square meters) but seating only 300 guests. This deliberate choice emphasizes a sense of honor and exclusivity for diners. The brand's general manager, Liu Zi-ming, highlighted the unique concept of pairing each buffet station with a specific wine, elevating the buffet experience through live culinary demonstrations and expert wine pairings.

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Island Taste is continuously expanding its footprint across Taiwan. After opening in Taipei, Kaohsiung, and Taoyuan, Taichung is our fourth branch in Taiwan. We plan to open two more stores in Taipei Dome and Tainan in the second half of the year, reaching six stores by the end of the year, significantly surpassing the revenue scale of "Harbor" and the banquet halls.

A standout feature of the Taichung location is the "Forest Island," an outdoor dining area designed to evoke the ambiance of a luxury hotel garden. Inspired by European banquet culture, this space incorporates multi-layered greenery, trees, water features, and low seating to create an inviting atmosphere. It is envisioned not only as a dining and photo spot but also as a venue for small banquets, private gatherings, and even wedding ceremonies, blending natural scenery with fine dining.

The menu boasts ten must-try dishes, including snow crab legs, gin-oyster gratin, and hand-rolled scallop and sea urchin rolls, alongside classics like Peking duck and grilled thick-cut steak. Dessert options feature popular pistachio cream puffs and new gelato flavors inspired by local ingredients like taro and oolong citrus. The brand's expansion is projected to significantly boost Han-lai Gourmet's revenue, with the Taichung branch expected to generate NT$400 million annually, and the Kaohsiung branch already exceeding NT$500 million.

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The Taichung Island Taste store is particularly designed for central Taiwan consumers, offering a diverse spatial experience. It features an outdoor terrace, "Forest Island," which rivals the outdoor garden dining areas of hotels like the Peninsula Bangkok. The design is inspired by the European banquet concept of Digestif, using multi-layered plants and trees to create a green, immersive space with water features and low seating.