TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – Taipei has welcomed a major culinary sensation with the May 13 opening of Gold Pig (Geumdwaeji Sikdang), a renowned Michelin Bib Gourmand-recommended Korean BBQ restaurant from Seoul. 

This marks the first overseas branch for the celebrity-favorite eatery, sparking immense excitement among Taiwanese foodies and K-pop fans.

Gold Pig has solidified its reputation in Korea, earning continuous Michelin Bib Gourmand recognition for seven consecutive years. Its clientele boasts a star-studded list, including K-pop megastars GD, IU, and BTS, as well as international figures like former soccer player David Beckham. 

In Seoul, securing a table often means enduring two-hour-plus waits, making its Taipei expansion – and the surprising decision to offer limited online reservations for Taiwanese customers – a much-anticipated event.

The Taipei branch saw massive crowds on opening day, with some patrons queuing overnight. The initial online reservation slots, exclusively for Cathay United Bank cardholders, sold out instantly, demonstrating the brand's immense draw.

Designed by the Korean team, the Taipei restaurant mirrors its Seoul counterpart's stylish, bright, and green-accented aesthetic, quickly becoming a new landmark in Zhongshan District. The interior features a transparent meat butchering and aging room on the first floor, while the second floor offers a BBQ bar and VIP rooms.

For its signature pork, Gold Pig Taipei partners with Taiwan's "Juo Hao Pork" to source the same high-quality pig breed used in Korea. Specializing in aged bone-in pork belly, frost-marbled pork, and pork collar, the succulent cuts are expertly grilled tableside by trained staff. 

Attention to detail extends to the condiments and side dishes, with many sauces, kimchi, and even soup bases flown in directly from Korea to elevate the dining experience, bringing the authentic taste of Korea's famed barbecue to Taiwan.