Ko gives a glimpse into Taipeh’s soul

What do you get when ID meets F&B? The answer is KO, a gorgeous Taiwanese resto that’s an expression of art coupled with simple yet satisfying Taiwanese fare. Without having to say much about the decor, the pics speak for themselves – tasteful modern interpretation of the soulfulness of Taipei. Best part is, most of the stuff were DIY as the owners had to keep to a budget. I just love it when varying concepts come together successfully.

Menu is very small but focused, with beef noodles being the highlight. A recipe from the patriarch of the family (who hails from Taiwan), the broth is not for wimps as it’s hearty and robust, infused with the goodness of the beef after hours cooking over slow fire. You can tell the noodles are homemade, slightly thicker than ordinary noods and cooked al dente. Some might argue that it lacks refinement, but there’s a certain addiction to the chewy texture that makes you keep wanting more. At RM30 per serving, there’s plenty of tender beef slices and it’s a huge bowl enough for 2 small eaters to share.

The other main dish is the scallion noodles (RM18) with, no surprises, scallion being the main ingredient. A very basic dish, but so appetising and fragrant. Another standout was the delicious dumplings which No. 2 said he wouldn’t mind returning, just to eat that. This one hits all the right notes with the right balance of chilli oil and flavour. Also on the menu are scallion pancakes, different yet familiar, and deep fried prawn guo bao. Since our visit, think they’ve added chicken rice, featuring the well-known delightful, crispy Taiwanese chicken.

At night, Ko exudes an inviting ambience that’s perfect to hang out with good friends and chat while indulging in the starter snacks (ask about the daily special as not everything is in the menu).