Taichung｜FReNCHIE FReNCHIE (Fu Won Hotel 1F) — Classic French cuisine rendered elegantly without being over the top, perfect for dates and celebrations 🥂

#SeptemberDestinations2025 At FReNCHIE FReNCHIE, located on the 1st floor of the Ful Won Hotel, the chef combines classic French cuisine with seasonal ingredients in a clean, elegant manner, with understated yet meticulous attention to detail. This is a restaurant where you can relax and chat, and brighten up your mood with a meal and a glass of wine. • Restaurant | FReNCHIE FReNCHIE (1st floor of the Ful Won Hotel) • Address | 1st floor, No. 636, Section 2, Wenxin Road, Xitun District, Taichung City (walking distance from the MRT City Hall Station) • Notes | In recent years, the restaurant has transitioned to a bar & bistro format, focusing on evening dining and a wine list. For the latest reservations and hours, please refer to the official inline website. • Phone | 04-2310-7989 (Phone details are subject to the latest information on site and the official website.) • Neighborhood | Nearby Taichung City Hall and the National Taichung Theater, making it a great spot for a stroll or exhibition before or after dinner. Background Story | The first floor of "Fu Wang" transforms the dining table into a miniature stage The restaurant is located next to the front seating area on the first floor of the Fu Wang Hotel. Natural light filtering in through the glass curtains gently illuminates the wood tabletops and white plates. This area is the new urban core of Taichung, with the MRT, City Hall, and Opera House all on the same route. After dinner, it's just a short walk to the Opera House's exterior to watch the light and shadows, which naturally enhances the sense of ceremony. My meal: From appetizer to dessert, every dish was about balance. The following tasting notes are based on the photos you provided and my actual taste that day. This is not a standard menu and may change with the seasons. ① Bread & Oil | Herbed Olive Oil + Homemade Red Pepper Sauce The dish arrives refreshingly light: the olive oil has a bright, fruity aroma, while the red pepper sauce has a hint of smokiness and sweetness, creating a refreshing yet not overpowering experience. This opening truly awakens the taste buds. ② Appetizer Platter | A Balanced Triangle of Seafood, Acidity, and Herbs The white plate features two main characters: seared seafood (slightly charred on the outside, yet still springy in the center) and a tart, fragrant tomato/herb accord, complemented by small vegetables and creamy cream. With ample visual space and clean flavors, you can savor the seasons, not just the sauce. ③ Main Course 1 | Duck Breast / Steak The duck breast's skin is pan-fried to a crispy, thin layer, perfectly juicy, and paired with mini corn, mushrooms, and chopped grains for a rich, layered flavor. The steak, on the other hand, boasts a beautiful rosy pink finish, a satisfying salt-to-juiciness ratio, and a perfectly balanced level of doneness. While the presentation may seem understated, it gives each side dish its own place. ④ Dessert | French Toast + Ice Cream The finale is a real surprise. The toast is caramelized on the outside, yet still moist and bubbly inside. Paired with a scoop of refreshing milk ice cream and cocoa syrup, it's sweet yet not cloying, a truly memorable treat. ⑤ Wines and Dining The restaurant has an extensive wine list. That evening, we paired our meal with whiskey and sparkling wine—the refreshing bubbles cut through the fat, while the whiskey lingered on the finish, creating a rhythmic shift in the flow of the meal. ⸻ Recommendation (Why it's worth dedicating your anniversary to this restaurant) 1. Clean flavors and beautifully paced: Each dish has a clear focus and a sense of space, ensuring you won't feel tired even after the meal. 2. Wide selection of wines and distilled drinks: From wines and whiskeys to cocktails, each one complements your personality; the bar & bistro setting offers even more flexibility at night. 3. Perfectly intimate: The tables are comfortably spaced and the lighting is soft, perfect for deep conversation. 4. Convenient location: Within walking distance of City Hall MRT Station; parking is available for drivers. 5. A sophisticated atmosphere: The black and white wood accents, floral arrangements, and tableware are well-decorated without being overly formal. 6. Steady service: Plate changes, water refills, and explanations are seamless and conversation-friendly. 7. Easy to arrange for extended itineraries: The National Taichung Opera House, Maple Valley, and the Seventh Phase Shopping District are all within a five- to ten-minute radius. 8. Great for photography: The natural light by the window is beautiful, and the white plates and wooden tables really highlight the dishes. ⸻ Reservations & Practical Pitfalls (Get it right the first time) • How to make reservations: We recommend checking online availability and the latest operating procedures. If you're celebrating a birthday or proposing, it's more convenient to leave a note. • Dining Times: Evening hours are the most reliable, while lunch hours depend on restaurant announcements (lately, they're mainly evening and bar hours). • Attire: Smart casual is most appropriate; light perfume is sufficient, allowing the aroma to linger on the food. • Allergies/Preferences: Please note any allergies to alcohol, milk, or shellfish; improvisations can affect the pacing. • Seating: Window lighting is best. If you value interaction with the waiter, the bar counter or a seat near the wine cabinet is more engaging. • Transportation/Parking: A few minutes' walk from City Hall MRT Station; driving into the hotel parking lot is possible; calling the front desk for directions will facilitate smoother access. ⸻ Photography Tips (Use your phone to create photos) 📸 • Tabletop Flat Shot: Arrange the appetizer, bread, and wine glass in an isosceles triangle; place the brightly colored ingredients toward the light source. • Portrait: Sit by the window, facing 45 degrees toward the side light; place the wine glass in the foreground for scale. • Main Course Close-up: Focus on the highlights on the meat, set to EV -0.3 to create a more three-dimensional oily sheen; leave enough air in the side dishes to avoid filling them up. • Dessert: Use a spoon to create an arc-shaped mark in the cocoa crumbs for a more dramatic photo. ⸻ Review (Address Included!) Frenchie Frenchie (1F, Fu Won Hotel) Address: 1F, No. 636, Section 2, Wenxin Road, Xitun District, Taichung City (Within walking distance of MRT City Hall Station) Tel: 04-2310-7989 (Subject to the restaurant's latest announcements) In one sentence: This isn't the kind of French cuisine that shocks you with fireworks, but rather one that slowly wins you over with balance and detail. If you're looking for a comfortable, understated, yet sophisticated date dinner, this is the perfect place. ⸻ Half-Day Itinerary (Copied Directly) Day Version: Tour the National Taichung Opera House Architectural Tour → Walk to the Maple Valley for Light and Shadow Viewing → Dinner at Frenchie Frenchie → Stroll along Seventh Phase Night Owl Version: After Dinner, Stop at a Bar/Return to the Opera House for Night View → Stroll along the Parkway at Eslite Macao Conclusion I love this restaurant because it's relaxing yet unpretentious: From the fruity aroma of olive oil to the crispy skin of the duck breast, and finally the sweetness tempered by the caramel toast, no bite was too loud throughout the night, yet every bite was memorable. Leaving the hotel, the Opera House's facade gleamed in the night breeze, and we carried a little whiskey with us—this is how everyday life in Taichung becomes a celebration. FReNCHIE FReNCHIE | Ful Won Hotel | National Taichung Theater | Maple Valley | Taichung City Government #Taichung #FRENCHIEFRENCHIE #Ful Won Hotel #FrenchRestaurant #Bistro #DateRestaurant #TaichungFood #Taichung ✨