Fresh Station

Fresh Station is a Japanese sushi restaurant in Taipei’s Xinyi District, known for omakase courses, sashimi and carefully composed sushi. Take a seat where you can watch the chef prepare each piece, and ask for sake to match the meal. The menu also includes eel, seafood and tempura, with house-made desserts such as grape-topped cheese tarts and matcha cheesecake. Dinner is the stronger choice if you are deciding between a lunch and evening visit; the restaurant has a cozy setting and serves both sushi and cooked dishes.

Omakase and sushi at the counter

Omakase is a good way to explore the restaurant’s sushi and seafood. The courses bring together different fish and other ingredients, with attention to texture and presentation. Sashimi is another draw, and the menu includes items such as salmon roe, karasumi and wagyu beef.

If you sit where the chef is preparing food, you can follow the work behind each course. The chefs are knowledgeable about fish and sushi, so ask questions as your meal progresses. Pickled fruit is served alongside the sushi, adding a change from the familiar ginger accompaniment.

Eel, sake and dessert

Unagi is available in both an original preparation and a barbecue-sauce version. The original flavor has been singled out as a particularly good choice. Other menu items include chawanmushi, miso soup and tempura, giving you options beyond sushi.

Ask for a sake recommendation if you want a drink with your meal. Leave room for dessert: grape-topped cheese tarts and matcha cheesecake are made in-house. The restaurant has updated its interior through remodeling, while keeping its focus on sushi and Japanese dishes.