It’s been almost 2 years since my last article about the Michelin star dining experience (RAW: My First Michelin Two-Star Experience). Obviously, it’s not something I could eat every day, considering how hard it is to reserve a table, and of course, the price.
However, there’s a restaurant that’s been on my (and many others’) bucket list for a long time, that is Le Palais (頤宮), a Cantonese restaurant that’s been awarded three Michelin stars for four consecutive years (2018-2021), and is also the only three-star restaurant in not only Taipei area but the whole Taiwan.
Unlike most restaurants, Le Palais doesn’t take on-site customers, instead, they only take online or phone reservations. Since their phone line is often busy and difficult to dial in, the better way to reserve a table is to book online. And with this method, diners are required to prepay NT$500 per diner while booking. Despite all the rules and difficulties, it’s still the most wanted restaurant for diners and foodies in Taipei.
And how did I get my table? The reservation of Le Palais is open a month before the dining month, for example, to dine in February, the reservation is open at 12 AM, January 1st. So, while everyone was doing the countdown and celebrating the new year, as a foodie, I was busy booking the restaurant online (don’t judge me lol).
On the day, I went with a large group of friends. Why such a large group? Unlike most western-style restaurants which are serving sets individually and all diners would have their own plate of food, Chinese-style dining is usually serving dishes on the table for everyone to share. And with more people, we get to order and try more dishes.
Voila! Here comes the dishes we had. You could find the dish name and my personal review in the descriptions below the photos. Enjoy it!
Honestly, my friends and I had high expectations prior to our visit because, well, this is a three-star restaurant. Surprisingly and not surprisingly, it didn’t disappoint us, both the food and the service. With this experience, I can understand why Le Palais can be awarded three stars for four consecutive years, ever since the Michelin guide came to Taipei, Taiwan. Indeed, it’s an amazing dining experience!
Sure! The meal took around NT$2,500~NT$3,000 per person. My friends and I didn’t order much seafood, if we did, the bill may be NT$3,000~NT$3,500/per.
The price is quite high, but I heard from others that it’s lower than many three-star restaurants. I guess it’s cuz table dishes are easier to control budge than individual sets.
@ChanneLing I had to do a quick conversion there and yes, you’re right, it’s probably more affordable in Taiwan than here, considering how many dishes you had.
Hello @ChanneLing , i’m envying you were having those exquisite three-star Chinese dishes and that is so amazing for me.Steamed Rice Rolls with Shrimp and Chinese Doughnuts is my favorite in your post, thank you…
@ChanneLing I was fortunate in 2019 to be invited to a Greek community festival in Melbourne where several Michelin restaurants from around Australia contributed food for a foodies culture event highlighting the very best of Greek cuisine. Generally we don’t get to partake in true “fine dining” very often so when we do its worth savouring and celebrating.
Incredible and great experience @ChanneLing , the dishes are so beautiful and so looking like yummy and the restaurant is also very beautiful, I’m sure you had a super great experience .
I would definitely try thecrispy roast baby duck, it simply looks like amazing .
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