Visiting the Spice Miracle in Hsinchu & New Taipei City

[台灣新聞雲Taiwan eGoFly Co.,Ltd.] Reporter Chen , Yi-Pai (Bill Chen)/Comprehensive Report

You don’t need a plane ticket to India to taste the real magic of spices anymore – in the heart of Hsinchu City, there’s a little corner called “Indian Town” where your taste buds can stamp their passports without you ever leaving Taiwan. One step through the door and the tech city outside disappears, replaced by the warmth of tandoor smoke, sizzling skewers, and the perfume of cardamom, cumin, and cloves.

This is not “Indian food adjusted for local taste”. This is the kind of place that packs a whole subcontinent into its menu: the fire of charcoal grills, the layers of curry, the boldness of spices, and the natural sweetness of fresh ingredients all show up exactly as they should.

🔥 Authenticity here starts with the tandoor.
Tandoori Mushroom, Paneer Tikka, Chicken Tikka, Fish Tikka – dishes that are often only “almost there” in Taiwan land perfectly here, with lightly charred edges, spices that sink all the way in, and juices locked inside every bite. For Hsinchu locals, this is “the real Indian street and festival flavor without buying a ticket to Delhi”. For Indian expats, that first mouthful is the taste of home smoke and family gatherings coming back at once.

🥘 Curries with depth, spices with a philosophy.
Every curry reads like a different city: silky, nutty Korma; rich tomato-butter Makhani; bold and lively Channa Masala; gentle, green Palak Paneer; and the slow-smoked comfort of Dal Makhani. None of them are watered‑down “safe versions” – they are proudly, unapologetically Indian, the kind of flavors that make homesick travelers nod, and seasoned Taiwanese foodies reconsider what “curry” can be.

🌾 Biryani that shocks Hsinchu and moves Indians.
Biryani is the dish that gets butchered most often – but not here. Long grains of fragrant rice stay separate and fluffy, spices bloom without burning your throat, and fried onions, herbs, and meat juices weave into a layered, rising aroma that keeps dancing on your tongue long after each bite. Most Hsinchu diners will say, “I’ve never had rice like this in my life,” while Indians are more likely to mutter, “This tastes just like that little restaurant back home.”

🌶 Rasam – a hidden South Indian soul soup.
Seeing “Rasam” on the menu is a small shock in Hsinchu: this sharp-sour, peppery broth is not a show‑off dish but the taste of “home” for many South Indians. For Taiwanese guests, that first spoonful might become the benchmark for “spice and sour in perfect balance,” proof that the restaurant is cooking Indian food for Indians first, not just for tourists.

🌱 A real paradise for vegetarians and vegans.
Indian cuisine is famously friendly to plant‑based eaters, and this place pushes that advantage with care: for ovo‑lacto and “flexible” vegetarians, there are buttery, creamy favorites like Palak Paneer, Paneer Butter Masala, Paneer Tikka, and Korma. For those skipping strong aromatics but still wanting layers of flavor, options like Channa Masala, Dal Tadka, Dal Makhani, and vegetable curries deliver rich spices without rough edges.

Vegans are not treated as an afterthought either. Dishes like Aloo Gobi, Jeera Rice, Veg Biryani, Rasam, and various lentil curries can be prepared fully plant‑based, turning a simple dinner in Hsinchu into the kind of “luxury of choice” vegans rarely enjoy. No matter what kind of vegetarian you are, you get food that is complex, fragrant, and kind to your body – not just “something you can eat while your meat‑eating friends enjoy the real menu”.

At the end of the day, “Indian Town” is the kind of restaurant that opens Hsinchu’s eyes to how wide and beautiful Indian cuisine really is, while quietly telling Indian residents, “Home isn’t as far away as it feels.” If you want your taste buds to travel, to explore the deeper layers of spice, or to rediscover the soul of food in a meat‑free meal, this little spot in downtown Hsinchu is ready with answers you might not expect.

Restaurant: Indian Town (Hsinchu)
Address: Lane 96, No. 20, Zhongzheng Road, North District, Hsinchu City, Taiwan
Opening hours: Every day 11:30–14:30, 17:30–21:30
Phone: 03-533-2132
Seating: 36 seats on the 1st floor; 44 regular seats on the 2nd floor (up to about 50 people for events)

If you want the same style of authentic Indian food closer to Zhudong or New Taipei City, you can also visit these sister restaurants:

Dada Indian Kitchen – Zhudong branch
Address: No. 214, Ren’ai Road, Zhudong Township, Hsinchu County
Phone: 03-596-0309

Dada Indian Kitchen – Yonghe branch
Address: No. 2-1, Lane 389, Zhonghe Road, Yonghe District, New Taipei City
Phone: 02-2926-7870

Dada Indian Restaurant – Sanchong branch
Address: 2F, No. 1, Lane 224, Wenhua North Road, Sanchong District, New Taipei City
Phone: 02-2981-4779

Note: These three Dada branches are closed every Monday.