Meerkat restaurant in Keelung gives humans and pets a chance to dine together

Meerkat restaurant in Keelung gives humans and pets a chance to dine together

2023-08-07

Eateries that cater to both human diners and their pets are gradually getting popular in Taiwan. Most center their offerings on cats and dogs, the most popular types of domestic pet. But at one restaurant in Keelung, it’s the meerkat who’s the star. Owner Luo Wen-ching lets his darling pet meerkats interact with diners at the eatery. He’s passionate about giving people a space where they can hang out in peace with their animals. And he doesn’t miss a chance to educate pet owners about how to treat animals with respect and care.

A meerkat chitters and squirms in its owners’ hands. It doesn’t live in a zoo, but here in this meerkat-themed pet-friendly restaurant.

Luo Wen-ching
Restaurant owner
When you take your pet out, and you want to find somewhere to sit down and eat or drink something, there are too few dining places that let you take your pet inside.

The restaurant owner is a foodie who loves to take his pets out to discover local food spots. But he’s frustrated that so few venues make it possible. That’s how he came up with the plan to open his very own “meerkat restaurant.”

Pork slices are sprinkled with onion and scrambled egg, then scallions and shichimi, to make a delectable donburi. White rice refills are free here, to ensure no diner goes home hungry. And Luo shares pet parenting tips with anyone who wants them.

Luo Wen-ching
Restaurant owner
Partly we are also teaching people that their pets are living beings, and about how we should respect them. We shouldn’t tease them or scare them – they can feel it.

Luo reminds diners that meerkats are quite different to domestic cats and dogs. They may be pets, but they are basically still wild animals, so you must be very careful not to get hurt when you play with them.

Meerkats live underground all year long, popping their heads up as a warning when they hear a noise. Customers quickly fall in love and keep coming back to this unique eatery.

與超萌狐獴親密接觸! 餐廳打"狐獴"招牌搶市

2023-08-07

寵物貓狗餐廳並不罕見，基隆有業者推出"狐獴主題"寵物餐廳，店內不僅飼養了可愛的狐獴，更有許多"狐獴"擺設的裝置藝術。由於狐獴習性跟一般寵物貓狗較不相同，業者也提醒來訪的民眾，在跟牠們互動時必須小心，以免受傷。

可愛又呆萌的狐獴放在手上，睜著大大的眼睛、不斷擺動著身軀，模樣非常可愛。這裡可不是動物園，而是"狐獴主題"寵物友善餐廳。

[[餐廳業者駱文慶]]
"自己帶寵物出門的時候，要找地方坐下來吃個東西，喝個飲料，能讓寵物一起進去用餐的地方太少"

喜歡品嘗美食，又經常帶著自己的寵物四處尋找適合的用餐環境，無奈大多數的餐廳都不接受飼主帶著寵物一起用餐。因此駱文慶萌生，不如自己來開一間屬於自己的"狐獴餐廳"的想法。

滿滿的豬肉片，加上洋蔥及滑蛋，最後再撒上蔥花、七味粉，丼飯就完成了。業者為了讓來用餐的顧客都能吃得滿足，大方提供白飯加量不加價，甚至還會跟他們分享寵物飼育心得。

[[餐廳業者駱文慶]]
"一部分也會教育客人說，牠們是個生命，我們要怎麼尊重(牠)，不要去玩弄牠，或去嚇唬牠，牠們也會有感受"

業者也會提醒民眾，狐獴跟常見的貓狗較不相同，即便是寵物，但仍舊保有野性，因此在跟牠們互動時必須非常小心，以免受傷。

長年生活在地底的狐獴，一聽到聲音便會探出頭來警戒，可愛的模樣，受到客人歡迎，成為店家招攬生意的活招牌。

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Former PM Aso has always been a very good friend of Taiwan. I hope that through more city-to-city exchanges, we will be able to deepen relations between Taiwan and Japan.

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Aso is 82 years old this year. In 2008, he was elected president of the LDP and became prime minister of Japan. He later returned as deputy prime minister in 2012. Aso previously said that in many meaningful ways, Taiwan shares many common values with Japan. The pro-Taiwan politician has expressed public support for Taiwan on numerous occasions.

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I could say that Taiwan is the country that has best dealt with the pandemic. But if I say that Taiwan is a country, the Chinese Communist Party will tell me to resign and say that Taiwan is an area, not a country.

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Aso Taro’s Taiwan visit is as significant as Abe’s. His stance against communism and his tough position on China are on par with Abe’s if not stronger.

Aso’s visit is being closely watched. In a Facebook post published after seeing Aso off on his trip, Taiwan’s envoy to Japan Frank Hsieh said Aso may become the only major Japanese politician to meet all three candidates in Taiwan’s presidential election.

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