Taiwan’s Toilet Treats: For Fans Of Thematic Eateries

When regular restaurants become a bore for adventurous tourists, Taiwan’s toilet-themed eatery might be what you need.

When regular restaurants become a bore for adventurous tourists, Taiwan has a treat in store nestled among its busy streets. Herein lies a “crappy” restaurant, but not in the traditional sense of the word. In fact, Modern Toilet is based off of just that—the toilet. Originally, what is now Modern Toilet began selling piles of chocolate ice cream inside containers shaped like the infamous squat toilet. Today, its eccentricity and humor have made it one of the most popular restaurants in Taiwan for locals and tourists alike.

The most notable aspects of the restaurant are its comedic ambiance and attention to detail. Guests are seated on actual toilets, each with a different color-coordinated theme. Adorning the walls are colorful bathroom tiles and showerheads, while the table itself is made up of bathroom sinks with a glass tabletop.

The next surprise comes in the dishes themselves. The tea is served in a toilet-shaped mug, while other drinks are served in plastic urinals. The curries are doled out in miniature bowls of different colors. Other dishes include a variety of hot pots and spaghetti, and of course, the ice cream that gave Modern Toilet its celebrity.

Modern Toilet’s fame has grown exponentially as the chain has expanded to places like Hong Kong. Moreover, they plan to establish more locales in Macau and Malaysia’s Kuala Lumpur. And yet, the most prominent sites are still the original chain restaurants in Taiwan. This comes as no surprise since Modern Toilet embodies the quirky side of Asia, and Taiwan in particular, that we all know and love.

Fabiola Perez

Fabiola grew up in many places, including: Venezuela, Northern Virginia/Washington DC, and Hong Kong. As a traveler, she believes that while visiting major landmarks is essential, additionally seeking out the more traditional spots shows the true ambiance of the country.