Kooks 2 Mountain Kitchen: Bar Food in the Tamsui Mountains
There’s a super chill hideout in the mountains near Tamsui that cooks tasty Western favourites like tacos, burgers and pizzas. Kooks 2 Mountain Kitchen is a bit out of the way, but it has quality food, a relaxed environment surrounded by forested mountains, and a friendly Canadian owner who makes you feel at home. Pairing this restaurant with a unique and beautiful temple nearby makes for a killer day trip itinerary.
We suggest starting with the temple. Tian Yuan Gong (aka The Temple of Heaven, aka Wuji Tianyuan Temple) is one of the most unique temples in Taiwan. It’s circular, with five floors that pay tribute to different Taoist gods. On the side of a hill and standing 200 meters tall, it’s great for views of the surrounding mountains and the ocean.
A rainbow added to the beauty of the scenery on the day we visited.
We stayed to watch the sun sink below the hills and then set off on a 20 minute hike to the restaurant. Kooks 2 Mountain Kitchen is out in the middle of nowhere and there’s a bit of a hill to climb, but it’s totally worth the trek!
We instantly felt at home upon arrival. The owners – a Canadian man and Taiwanese woman whose kids were running around playing – welcomed us warmly. The staff was also very friendly. There are a bunch of different indoor and outdoor seating areas to choose from, but we decided to sit on a patio surrounded by leafy greens.
The menu is huge, with bulky sections for appetizers, soups, salads, tacos, pizzas, specials, pastas, burgers, brunch, and desserts. We had a really tough time choosing (and ended up ordering too much) but here’s what we were ultimately feeling:
This cup of tea (NT$100) was perfectly suited to the serene mountain atmosphere.
This huge portion of chili fries (NT$240) was incredible.
The onion rings (NT$100) were perfectly crispy.
The garlic butter shrimp on greek salad was pricey at NT$520, but it delivered with succulent shrimp and a huge heap of fresh veggies drizzled with vinaigrette.
The combo pizza (NT$550) was a solid choice, but we were so full we had to take most of it home with us!
Everything washed down nicely with their cheap draft San Miguel (NT$100).
We also had some great conversations with the very friendly owners as we hung out at their restaurant for hours!
What’s the vibe?
Located in the mountains, this place has one of the chillest and coziest vibes of any Taipei restaurant. There are a bunch of different seating areas, both indoor and outdoor, and you feel at home in the intimate setting. They’ve even got a fire roaring in the winter. Surrounded by plants and fresh mountain air, it’s the perfect spot to relax and unwind.
Worth it?
Yes — although it’s a bit out of the way and the prices are generally on the more expensive side, portions were big and the quality was good. The chill and cozy vibes are also perfectly suited for the forested, mountainous surroundings. It’s a great option for Western food – we left feeling very satisfied, especially after our conversations with the friendly owners.
Would you go back?
It’s a bit of a trek, but we’ll be looking for an excuse to bring friends up into the mountains and give Kook’s menu another go!
Last updated: April 2018
| Kooks 2 |
| Chinese Name: 異嗑堂二店 |
| Hours: Thurs - Sun: 12pm - 10pm Mon - Wed: Closed |
| Phone: 02 2625 6610 |
| English Address: No. 32-1, Nanshuipu, Shuishui, Tamsui District |
| Chinese Address: 淡水區水源里南勢埔32-1號 |
