
Viral flavored fries from Philippines set up shop in Taipei
Potato Corner, a viral fries outlet from the Philippines is setting up its first shop in Taipei. The outlet will be in Songshan District, and be operated through a local distributor. The past two years have been great for foodies in Taiwan. From US fried chicken brand Popeyes to legendary Korean BBQ restaurant Gold Pig, more and more viral celebrity-favorite foods are making their way here.
The self-proclaimed “World’s Best Flavored French Fries” outlet, Potato Corner was established in 1992 in the Philippines. It now has more than 2,000 stores worldwide, including in the US, South Korea and Indonesia. Recently, a Taiwanese restaurant group posted several job openings for a Potato Corner outlet in Taipei’s Songshan District, offering a monthly salary starting at NT$40,000 for four to five management associates. But what do locals think about this new international brand?
Member of public
New things do catch my attention.
Member of public
I think I’ll try it. It’s novel and I haven’t tried it before. It’s the price that matters, because usually those newly introduced brands are quite pricey.
Member of public
I think I’ll try the fries, because I’m not a fan of sweet desserts. I think fries also go well with an alcoholic drink. Pricing between NT$120 to NT$150 is acceptable.
Many Insta-famous restaurants have recently set up shop in Taiwan, from Japan’s “I’m donut?” in Taipei’s East District, to Popeyes from the US and celebrity-favorite Korean BBQ restaurant Gold Pig. But what are the pros and cons of taking on a viral brand?
Li Shyh-Jane
Food company manager
We call it a multi-brand but refined management, meaning each and every brand is done very well, so much so that it becomes a must-try among the general public. That way, the product can quickly go viral. That kind of FOMO culture easily props up a brand for under half a year, or even half a year, and maybe a year at most. But that’s also the biggest risk with taking on viral brands.
The industry insider adds that these viral brands must continue to innovate in order to avoid falling into the “egg-tart effect” trap, which can be likened to a one-hit wonder in the food industry. Fortunately, Taiwan’s restaurant industry is still growing. Last year, the industry turned revenue of just under NT$1.04 trillion, a 3.6% year-on-year growth. Locals are also willing to line up for the hottest food items. The real challenge, it seems, is staying on top of the game after the hype subsides.
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#potatocorner #fries #chips #shakeys #philippines #台北美食
2025-07-08