Opensmile Braised Pork Rice Review | Spicy Lu Rou Fan and Thick-Cut Pork Chops in Xinyi District
Walking down Zhuangjing Road in Xinyi District, many food seekers head straight toward the busy Wuxing Street food enclave. Yet right along the main road sits Opensmile Braised Pork Rice (OPEN SMILE), an eatery with warm wood trim, textured frosted glass, and a stainless steel bar. From its storefront aesthetics to the hip-hop beats pulsing through the dining room, it completely flips the greasy, old-school stereotype of traditional Taiwanese braised pork rice stalls.
The signage proudly displays “BOUT BENJAMINS” and “GOOD FOOD, GOOD HEALTH, GOOD DAY.” The owners have infused street culture with time-honored Tainan-style hand-cut braising techniques, drawing steady crowds of neighborhood office workers and dedicated foodies during peak dining hours.
Streetwear Cool Meets Traditional Heritage: Storefront and Dining Space
Opensmile features a crisp, inviting facade combining warm wooden frames with retro frosted glass bricks. One side houses an independent takeout counter, while the other clearly displays dine-in seating instructions and business hours.
Stepping inside, you are greeted by an elongated stainless-steel high-top bar beneath a blue-and-white neon sign reading “BOUT BENJAMINS.” The dining area is thoroughly air-conditioned and meticulously clean, entirely free from the sticky grease often encountered in traditional noodle and rice shacks.
Open-Kitchen Simmering Old Broth and Celebrity Wall
The open prep kitchen is spotlessly maintained, with two deep pots steadily simmering rich, deep-brown master braising sauce. Staff move with practiced speed—scooping rice, ladling simmering pork gravy, and garnishing bowls in one fluid motion. The intoxicating aroma of aged soy sauce and rock sugar fills the counter area, instantly stoking your appetite.
Beyond the simmering pots, the off-white wall on the opposite side showcases several framed art prints and photographs. The most noticeable piece is an autographed photo of popular Japanese celebrity Saika Kawakita, inscribed with “OPEN SMILE ♡ 2024.6.20 ありがとう”—a popular photo spot for visiting guests.
Menu Breakdown and Ordering Guide
Ordering at Opensmile is seamless and modern: each seat has an assigned QR code stand. Simply scan with your smartphone, select your items, submit the digital order, and proceed to the front counter to confirm with cash payment.
The menu spans classic rice bowls, tossed noodles, slow-simmered herbal soup cups, braised sides, and cold drinks. For flavor customization, you can add extra toppings (+NT$10 each) such as scallion oil, fresh cilantro, or bonito flakes, as well as eggs cooked to your liking: soft-boiled fried egg, molten lava egg, or golden crispy fried egg.
Below is a breakdown of core menu items, reference prices, and taste characteristics (prices subject to on-site updates):
| Category | Recommended Items | Reference Price | Flavor Profile & Dining Tips |
|---|---|---|---|
| Signature Rice Dishes | Classic Braised Pork Rice | Small NT$40 / Large NT$60 | Hand-cut pork belly with skin; glistening dark sauce, melt-in-the-mouth richness with lip-smacking collagen |
| Signature Rice Dishes | House-Special Spicy Braised Pork Rice | Small NT$50 / Large NT$70 | Diced Matsusaka pork tossed with special Sichuan peppercorn chili oil; numbingly fragrant and mildly spicy without burning the throat |
| Hearty Mains | Braised Pork Chop Rice | NT$140 | Thick-cut fresh pork chop fried then braised through, served with greens and scallion oil; limited daily portions |
| Specialty A La Carte | Red-Braised Pork Belly (A La Carte) | NT$200 | Beautiful three-layered pork belly; tender lean meat and melt-in-the-mouth fat |
| Egg Add-ons | Soft-Boiled Egg / Crispy Fried Egg | NT$30 / NT$35 | An absolute must-order! Crisp edges and rich runny yolk that blends seamlessly into warm rice and braised sauce |
| Flavor Add-ons | Scallion Oil / Cilantro / Bonito Flakes | +NT$10 each | Adding scallion oil or fresh cilantro introduces herbal brightness and layers of contrast against the savory sauce |
| Comfort Soups | Goat Milk Head Herb Chicken Soup / Radish Meatball Soup | NT$140 / NT$50 | Soothing herbal broth or sweet bone-simmered broth, ideal for cutting through the richness |
The Star of the Show: Hand-Cut Pork Sauce and Flowing Soft-Boiled Egg
Opensmile uses fresh, hand-cut local pork with a precise balance of lean and fat. Diced into neat cubes with skin intact and braised slowly over hours, the pork fat renders down into a glossy, gelatinous gravy. Every mouthful leaves a sticky collagen sheen on your lips, nicely balanced between savory depth and rock-sugar sweetness.
The universally acclaimed way to enjoy it is to add a soft-boiled fried egg or runny egg.
As chopsticks split the delicate egg white, rich golden yolk flows freely over the piping-hot rice and dark pork sauce. Stirred together, the velvety egg yolk tempers the sauce’s intensity, rendering each spoonful luxuriously smooth.
If you enjoy more complex spices, the House-Special Spicy Braised Pork Rice is unmissable. Diced Matsusaka pork provides a pleasant, bouncy chew, tossed in house-crafted Sichuan peppercorn chili oil. The first taste brings the unmistakable citrusy numbing aroma of peppercorns, followed by a gentle, warming spice that cuts the pork fat cleanly without stinging your throat.
Meat Lover’s Delight: Thick-Cut Braised Pork Belly and Limited Pork Chop
Beyond braised pork rice, Opensmile excels at two standout meat specialties.
The a la carte Red-Braised Pork Belly is cut into a hefty, square block showcasing distinct three-tiered layers: chewy braised skin on top, melt-in-your-mouth pork fat in the middle, and sauce-soaked tender lean fibers beneath. It parts effortlessly under chopsticks without being mushy or dry, and a shower of chopped green scallions cuts through the richness.
The true crown jewel is the daily limited Braised Pork Chop. Prepared using classic Taiwanese culinary tradition, the fresh pork chop is lightly dusted with flour, deep-fried until crisp, and then immersed into master braising stock to soak up deep flavor. Over a finger-and-a-half thick, the meat remains remarkably juicy and tender rather than chewy. Paired with house-made scallion oil, it delivers a deeply comforting savory punch that meat lovers race to order.
The complete pork chop rice set is generous, served with fresh seasonal greens and crisp house-pickled radish slices that refresh the palate between bites of rich pork.
How to Plan a Smooth Xinyi District Itinerary
Opensmile is located along Zhuangjing Road in Xinyi District, an area known for bustling traffic and scarce street parking. Travelers taking the MRT can reach the shop in roughly 8 to 12 minutes on foot from either Taipei 101/World Trade Center Station or Xiangshan Station along the Red Line.
When structuring a day in Taipei, combining Opensmile with surrounding cultural landmarks and shopping districts works best:
- Cultural Heritage & Leisure Walk: Explore Military Village 44 (Si Si Nan Cun) and its weekend artisan markets in the morning, walk over to Opensmile for braised pork rice and a pork chop at noon, and spend the afternoon at the Taipei 101 Observatory or shopping in the Xinyi Shin Kong Mitsukoshi complex.
- Sunset Hike & Hearty Dinner: Hike the Elephant Mountain Trail (Xiangshan) in the late afternoon to take in sunset views over the Taipei basin, then descend to Opensmile for a comforting, energy-restoring dinner.
- Family & Senior Charter Tour: Alleys around Zhuangjing Road are narrow and curbside stopping is limited. For groups traveling with seniors or young children, opting for Taipei private charter services allows convenient curbside drop-off and pickup right by Zhuangjing Road, bypassing parking hassles and walking fatigue.
If you are planning longer multiday journeys across Taiwan, consider the flexible routes in our Taipei & Yilan 2-Day Family Tour and Northeast Coast 2-Day Nature & Culture Tour, using Xinyi District’s local food scene as an ideal launchpad or farewell meal. Travelers embarking on island-wide trips can review our Taiwan Round-Island Charter: 6 vs. 7 Days Guide to pace each leg smoothly.
Practical Tips for Visiting Opensmile
- Avoid the midday lunch rush: On weekdays, surrounding office crowds peak between 12:00 and 13:00. To avoid long waits, arrive right at opening at 11:30 or after 13:30.
- Arrive early for the pork chop: The signature braised pork chop is prepared in limited quantities daily and often sells out by around 18:30 during the dinner service.
- Have cash ready: After submitting your order via table QR code, bring your table number to the front counter to pay in cash.
- Customize with extra toppings: If you enjoy aromatics, don’t miss the scallion oil and cilantro add-ons (+NT$10 each), which cut through the rich braised sauce with vibrant freshness.
Store Information for Opensmile Braised Pork Rice (OPEN SMILE)
| Item | Details & Visiting Information |
|---|---|
| Name | Opensmile Braised Pork Rice (OPEN SMILE / 開囍 滷肉專賣店) |
| Address | No. 441, Zhuangjing Rd., Xinyi Dist., Taipei City |
| Phone | 02-27586866 (Inquiries only; walk-in seating only, no phone reservations) |
| Opening Hours | Daily 11:30–14:30, 17:30–20:30 (Closures subject to latest official announcements) |
| Ordering Method | Scan table QR code to place order, pay cash at the counter; for takeout, line up at the dedicated takeout window |
| Public Transport | Walk approx. 8–12 minutes from MRT Tamsui-Xinyi (Red) Line “Taipei 101/World Trade Center Station” or “Xiangshan Station” |
FAQ
Do I need a reservation for Opensmile Braised Pork Rice? Can I book by phone?
No reservations are accepted online or over the phone; seating is walk-in only. Upon arrival, take a seat as guided by staff, scan the QR code on your table to place your order on your phone, and head to the counter to pay in cash to confirm your order.
What are the opening hours and regular days off for Opensmile?
Opening hours are daily from 11:30 to 14:30 for lunch and 17:30 to 20:30 for dinner. Rest days and holiday closures follow the restaurant's latest official announcements, so check ahead before visiting.
Can I order takeout at Opensmile, and how does it work?
Yes, takeout is available. There is a dedicated outdoor takeout window, so you do not need to enter the dining area—simply line up at the window to order, pay, and collect your meal.
What are the must-order dishes at Opensmile? Is the braised pork chop available every day?
First-timers should order the classic hand-cut braised pork rice or the house-special spicy braised pork rice, and strongly consider adding a soft-boiled fried egg. The signature thick-cut braised pork chop is prepared in limited quantities daily and frequently sells out early; visit within the first 30 to 60 minutes of opening if you want to try it.
Can I pay by credit card or mobile payment at Opensmile?
No. While ordering is done via table QR code, all payments must be settled at the counter in cash. Credit cards and mobile payments are currently not supported, so carry sufficient cash.
