Japan's Top Budget Gourmet Pick! Order a Full Table for Just 300 TWD Per Person – Founder's Cost-Saving Secrets Revealed

Saizeriya, a Japanese family restaurant chain, recently sparked discussion on Threads when a Taiwanese netizen shared their first experience dining there in Japan. Upon seeing the menu prices, they initially thought the amounts were listed in New Taiwan Dollars and exclaimed, 'I was shocked!' The group ended up ordering more than 20 different dishes, yet each person paid the equivalent of only about 300 New Taiwan Dollars (approximately 1,000 JPY), leading the poster to joke that it felt 'just like ordering an all-you-can-eat buffet.' Especially striking was the fact that spaghetti dishes cost only around 60 to 70 TWD, leaving many Taiwanese netizens stunned.

Spaghetti at Saizeriya can be enjoyed for just 60 New Taiwan Dollars. (Image/Screen capture from Saizeriya official website)

Ordering over 20 dishes to fill the table – Users say: 'In Japan, you must go all out'

After the post went viral, numerous users responded, with many who had previously dined at Saizeriya in Japan confirming the surprisingly low prices. Some revealed that a simple meal for two costs around 1,000 yen, while others insisted, 'You’re supposed to go all out at Saizeriya in Japan.' Alongside spaghetti and pizza, items such as focaccia, spinach, chicken wings, lamb, tiramisu, and pudding were frequently recommended. Some users even joked that whenever they see the low-priced menu, they unintentionally end up ordering enough to cover the entire table, feeling as if they're challenging an all-you-can-eat course.

The conversation quickly expanded to comparisons between Saizeriya in Taiwan and Japan regarding price and taste differences. While some users believe that outlets in Taiwan remain relatively affordable compared to other Japanese chain restaurants, others complained that 'Taiwan’s locations are expensive and not filling,' with some even saying they couldn’t bring themselves to order after experiencing the much cheaper prices in Japan. Additionally, users noted that the Japanese menu offers significantly more choices, though opinions on flavor are divided. Some strongly recommend it as 'cheap and delicious,' while others claim the spaghetti is merely average, asserting that the real highlights are side dishes like focaccia.

Saizeriya has locations in nearly every city across Japan and even operates its own farm and food processing plant in Fukushima Prefecture. (Image/Screen capture from Saizeriya official website)

How can they sell so cheaply? Netizens reveal Saizeriya’s cost-control strategy from the ground up

Commenters also discussed the reasons behind Saizeriya’s long-standing low prices, pointing out that the brand not only owns production facilities in Australia for directly processing raw ingredients like milk and beef but also maintains multiple factories and farms within Japan. By leveraging bulk procurement, mass production, and standardized processes, the company effectively controls costs. Even vegetables are optimized from the seed selection and farming methods to maximize usable portions per lettuce head. Many users believe this vertically integrated model—from raw materials all the way to the restaurant counter—is precisely why Saizeriya dares to keep prices so low.

Further, past interviews with Saizeriya’s founder, Masanori Masugaki, were referenced. He reportedly struggled with his early restaurant ventures until he boldly slashed prices to just 30% of their original level after a renovation. Unexpectedly, customers flooded in, solidifying his belief in a 'low-price' business model. Since then, the brand has centralized most cooking procedures in factories to reduce in-store labor and preparation costs. As a result, Saizeriya remains renowned for its low-priced meals in Japan and has become a must-visit dining spot intentionally planned into many Taiwanese travelers’ itineraries.