Jiangzicui has no shopping district, only housing. But the stretch of Sec. 2 Wenhua Rd by MRT Jiangzicui hides one of New Taipei's densest izakaya belts — most of it in a single alley.
One alley, three restaurants
Alley 7, Lane 182, Sec. 2 Wenhua Rd. Inside: Lao Chuan Jiao Izakaya at No. 15, 22,000+ reviews, the review king of New Taipei izakaya; Damura Yakitori, Jiangcui branch at No. 7, 5,400+ at a full five stars; Lao Ba Feng, Jiangcui branch at No. 3, 1,600+. Under fifty metres apart, all three have waits 7–9pm on Friday and Saturday; weekdays before 7 is the safe seat. Prices are similar: skewers NT$30–80, NT$500–700 a head.
Don't just stand in the queue. Grab a can from the convenience store at the mouth of the alley, or check from Lane 182 which one is turning tables tonight.
Outside the alley: north on Sec. 2
If you won't wait, there's another row on the road itself. Lao Miso, Jiangcui branch at No. 255, 3,600+ reviews; Yinju Izakaya, Jiangzicui at No. 349, 4.9 with 1,700+; Lao Zang Ye Charcoal Izakaya at No. 353, five stars, 2,000; Chuanqi Izakaya at No. 8, Lane 369, 4,200+. All within ten minutes of Jiangzicui station, a traffic light or two apart. For a change, 9% Skewers Restaurant & Bar at No. 357 puts skewers and cocktails on the same table.
On the Banqiao bar list, this stretch outnumbers the Xinban district.
Late bites: the residential rules
Jiangzicui is housing, which sets two rules. One: most izakaya stop taking new tables after 11 — be in by 10:30. Two: drop your voice a notch at the door; these places have lived with their neighbours for years. Later than that, stir-fry and noodle stalls around Wenhua Rd Sec. 2 and Minquan Rd run into the small hours — category, not names.
The finish: feet on Minquan Rd
Walk to Minquan Rd. Kumamoto Foot Massage at No. 45, 16,000+ reviews at 4.9, is New Taipei's most-reviewed massage; the Kumamoto flagship at No. 33 (6,000+) is backup — same road, a few doors apart, take whichever has a seat. On the Banqiao massage list these two are close to consensus. One more quiet drink: Quiet Bistro at No. 2-3, Alley 7, Lane 202 Minquan Rd, five stars, 300+ reviews, the name is the house rule.
Getting there
MRT Jiangzicui on the Bannan line, last train around midnight; Xinpu station is also ten minutes on foot. Street parking on Wenhua Rd Sec. 2 is scarce at night — use a garage. After drinks, taxi or designated driver; the bridge back to Taipei is a short ride. Banqiao's other two nights are in the Banqiao night guide; for bistros that need booking, Banqiao bistro booking. District map on the Banqiao guide.