A-Po Sushi

Review

A-Po Sushi is at No. 132 Jianguo Road in Yingge, a short walk from Yingge Old Street. Supertaste describes how it began as a roadside cart and, after about forty years, grew into a three-storey building that is open 24 hours all year. With more than twenty thousand online reviews it is an almost mandatory stop in Yingge, and even old-street guides mention its journey from cart to building.

This is Taiwanese-style sushi rather than raw-fish nigiri. The favourites are inari and the mixed sushi, which rolls in pork floss, egg strips and pickled ginger around firm, sweet-sour rice for a nostalgic taste. The other signature is oden: mushroom balls, fish balls, corn and cabbage rolls in a clear, sweet broth with sweet chilli sauce. The chawanmushi is silky and topped with diced pork. Portions are big and prices low, so one box is enough to fill you up.

Fans praise the friendly prices, generous portions and the fact you can eat here in the middle of the night; many overseas visitors come specifically to try Taiwanese sushi, and the oden and red sweet chilli sauce get special mentions. Critics find the flavours ordinary, more cheap-and-filling than refined, and say anyone expecting Japanese sushi will be disappointed. Peak hours are crowded, the takeaway line is long and the dining area is basic.

It is open 24 hours, and sources agree it runs year-round. Price guide: six inari for NT$50, a small sushi box NT$50, a large mixed box NT$65, oden NT$20 per item and chawanmushi NT$30; go by the in-store prices. Dine-in is self-service: take a tray, choose your food and pay at the counter. When the ground floor is full, head to the second or third floor; turnover is fast, and takeaway and dine-in queues are separate. Nearby lanes are narrow, so park at a paid lot near Yingge Old Street or the train station and walk.

Good for a quick, filling meal before or after Yingge Old Street, for a late-night snack, or for something to take back to your hotel. First-timers can order a mixed sushi box, a few oden skewers and a chawanmushi; two people sharing will spend around NT$100 to NT$200. Weekdays or late at night are best for avoiding crowds.