Grumpy Dog, as the name suggests, is a casual eatery devoted to the humble hotdog — though these are anything but ordinary. Located on Xiangyang Nan Lu, this unassuming snack joint and bar deals in gourmet sausages, casual drinks, and good times.
The Space
The brains behind the operation are a crew of Taiwanese entrepreneurs, hailing from industries as varied as beer brewing and interior design.
The space is stripped-down and unpretentious: a bar counter with taps, a few tables hugging the walls, and a street-style vibe that’s akin to Goodman or ZUP Pizza Bar.
The Hotdogs
The real stars are the sausages, which are custom-made for the venue — won’t find anything quite like these elsewhere in the city.
Hotdogs are either ¥48 or ¥58. The Mediterranean Lamb (¥58) is my favorite. The sausage itself is richly spiced (though not spicy), juicy, and — dare I say — the most robust of the bunch. Unlike your standard-issue hotdog, this one delivers a double dose of sausage, topped with pickled onions for a tangy counterpoint.
A close second is the Chicken Bacon Ranch (¥48), featuring a thick, juicy sausage with an audible snap to the bite. If forced to pick a third favorite, I’d go with the Honey Pig (¥48), another double-sausage drizzled with hot honey and topped with garlic and green chilies for a sweet, spicy kick.
Other hotdogs see a gloriously messy Chili Dog (¥48), the tongue-numbing Sichuan Spicy (¥48), and a rotating seasonal option, the Yuzu Nana (¥58).
To add another layer of flavor, they also have more than half a dozen house-made sauces, from a lip-tingling hot garlic honey (my personal favorite) to a creamy avocado number to a seasonal fruit ketchup.
Other Bites
Beyond hotdogs, Grumpy Dog also does snack plates and even pasta. The Cheesy Corn (¥32) is a simple pleasure. For something seemingly more healthy, there’s Roasted Red Pepper Hummus (¥48), served with toasted brioche, and Brussels Sprouts (¥38), tossed in a hot honey vinaigrette.
Then there’s the Bacon Steak (¥58), a thick-cut slab of caramelized pork served with mashed potatoes and hot garlic honey. It’s sinful and darned good.
And as a nod to the owners’ Taiwanese roots, there’s deep-fried Tripe (¥45) — chewy, flavorful, and best suited for those who enjoy a texture that rewards patience. For the less adventurous, the Chicken Karaage (¥38) is a safe, crispy bet. All fried snacks also come with a sauce of your choosing.
To Drink
Drinks include a few taps of their own beers, starting at ¥28 for the Grumpy Dog Japanese Rice Oak Lager, plus highballs and G&Ts (¥38). On a sweltering summer day, though, the Winter Melon Lemonade (¥15) is my go-to.
All in all, Grumpy Dog is a charming neighborhood spot with sausages that actually deserve the term “gourmet.”
Grumpy Dog
Click here for the venue listing.
