Taipei has no shortage of incredible restaurants, but 85TD (捌伍添第) stands out for its refined blend of traditional Cantonese craftsmanship and modern presentation. Located in the elegant 85 Sky Tower, the restaurant offers both a luxurious atmosphere and a stunning city view — perfect for a special celebration.
This year, we chose 85TD for a quiet yet memorable birthday dinner — and every detail, from the dishes to the service, felt carefully orchestrated.
🥂 The Atmosphere
85TD is the kind of restaurant where time seems to slow down. The interior combines dark marble, gold accents, and soft lighting — elegant without being overwhelming. The service is attentive but never intrusive, and the evening began with a warm welcome and a surprise birthday cake prepared by the staff.
🍽️ The Dishes
Crispy Suckling Pig & Char Siu (燒乳豬拼叉燒)
Perfectly roasted, the suckling pig skin was paper-thin and shatteringly crisp, paired with tender slices of honey-glazed char siu. The balance of sweetness and smokiness was impeccable — pure Cantonese perfection.
Red Jellyfish Head with Spring Onion Oil ( 蔥油海蜇頭 )
A refreshing cold dish featuring crunchy jellyfish head, lightly dressed with fragrant spring onion oil. Clean, crisp, and beautifully plated — a simple but luxurious appetizer.
Braised Dried Abalone (20 heads) ( 蠔皇20頭乾鮑魚 ) A premium Cantonese classic.
This 20-head dried abalone was braised slowly until tender, absorbing the rich oyster sauce into every layer. Deeply savory, gelatinous, and intensely flavorful — a dish that represents true Cantonese craftsmanship and patience.
What Is Dried Abalone?
For readers unfamiliar with it:
Dried abalone (乾鮑魚) is one of the most prized ingredients in Chinese and Cantonese cuisine. Fresh abalone is first cleaned, salted, sun-dried, and aged for months. This process concentrates the flavor and transforms the texture.
To cook it, chefs must rehydrate and braise the abalone for many hours — sometimes days — until it becomes soft again and absorbs the sauce.
Because of the time, skill, and cost involved, dried abalone is considered a luxury delicacy, often served for celebrations, important holidays, and special occasions.
The “20-heads” grading simply means 20 abalones per catty (600g) — the smaller the number, the larger and more valuable each abalone.
85TD Buddha Jumps Over The Wall ( 添第濃湯佛跳牆 )
A luxurious soup featuring premium ingredients simmered into a rich, milky broth — savory, nourishing, and full of depth. Buddha Jumps Over The Wall is traditionally known for transforming precious ingredients (such as fish maw, chicken, mushrooms, and dried seafood) into a soup that is both elegant and comforting.
This version was beautifully balanced and incredibly satisfying.
Crispy Soft Shell Lobster with Minced Garlic and Chili ( 避風塘炒軟殼龍蝦 )
The highlight of the night — and 85TD is the only restaurant in Taipei offering this dish.
A rare and outstanding interpretation of the famous Hong Kong “Typhoon Shelter” style, featuring soft-shell lobster instead of crab.
The lobster was deep-fried until perfectly crisp while staying tender inside, then tossed with an addictive mountain of golden garlic, chili, and crunchy aromatics.
The flavor was bold, fragrant, and utterly irresistible — every bite bursting with texture.
Served in a delicate crispy nest, the presentation was spectacular.
This dish alone makes 85TD worth visiting.
Fried Rice with Crab Meat Egg White, Vegetables and Black Truffle Sauce ( 松露蟹肉蛋白炒飯 )
Light, fluffy, and subtly seasoned — the perfect ending to the savory courses. Each grain of rice carried the fragrance of crab meat and wok hei (the signature smoky aroma from high-heat stir-frying).
Dessert — Goji Jelly & Cookies (枸杞桂花凍與曲奇餅)
A simple but elegant finish. The floral sweetness of the osmanthus jelly and the crunch of cookies balanced the meal perfectly — not too heavy, just right.
🎂 A Sweet Ending
The night ended with a custom birthday cake, complete with a “Happy Birthday” topper and a playful cat design — a sweet and thoughtful surprise that made the evening even more special.
💬 Final Thoughts
85TD is the perfect choice for anyone looking to experience the best of Taiwanese fine dining through a Cantonese lens — refined, elegant, and deeply satisfying. It’s more than just dinner; it’s an experience meant to be shared with someone special.
Name: 85TD
Website: 85td-101.com
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