Good Eats: Yu Shan Ge, Taipei, Taiwan

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Good Eats: Yu Shan Ge, Taipei, Taiwan

Yu Shan Ge 1F, No. 14, Beiping E Rd, 02-2394-5155. Beautifully appointed and decorated, this upscale restaurant aims for perfection in serving an accomplished and lovely vegetarian Kaiseki Cuisine. Dairy and egg products can be eliminated upon request. Black satin tablecloths and matching bibs are provided, probably because the well-to-do people who come here want to protect their expensive clothes. Presentations are stellar, with some items being enhanced by flowers, plants, or burl-wood platters.

ordering from menu at Yu Shan Ge in Taipei, Taiwan
In the interest of good health, no alcohol is served. For my drink, I chose orange juice.

orange juice at Yu Shan Ge in Taipei, Taiwan

My set meal, which cost approximately US$65 and included nine courses,

began with a finger bowl that looked good enough to eat,

finger bowl at Yu Shan Ge in Taipei, Taiwan

and continued with:
1-creamy chestnut and red dates soup with truffle

chestnut-red dates soup at Yu Shan Ge in Taipei, Taiwan

2-elaborate cold appetizer plate decorated with konjac sashimi, yam, perilla, gingko berries, and various vegetable delicacies

appetizer plate at Yu Shan Ge in Taipei, Taiwan

3-white sesame cashew balls with crispy lotus root batter

white sesame cashew balls at Yu Shan Ge in Taipei, Taiwan

4-stewed green bamboo horn covered in miso sauce and fresh pine nuts

green bamboo horn at Yu Shan Ge in Taipei, Taiwan

5-cup of vintage rice drinking vinegar mixed with herbs and red date

rice drinking vinegar at Yu Shan Ge in Taipei, Taiwan

6-hericium mushroom filet (grilled, then baked) served with curry sauce, fresh seasonal vegetables, and boiled corn

hericium mushroom filet at Yu Shan Ge in Taipei, Taiwan

7-rice ball with red yeast

rice ball with red yeast at Yu Shan Ge in Taipei, Taiwan

8-herbal soup broth with fresh mushrooms, bamboo sprouts, and red dates

herbal soup broth at Yu Shan Ge in Taipei, Taiwan

9-dessert with fresh fruit

dessert with fresh fruit at Yu Shan Ge in Taipei, Taiwan

Someone in my group commented about how we were served too much food. I felt we were presented just the right amount and was impressed that such a refined vegetarian meal could be so filling, especially with no bread or alcohol. Overall, this was a divine dinner in lovely surroundings.