Kyoto’s popular karaage is in town for just two days! Iyoshi Cola × KARAAGEYA land in Taipei with herbal fizz and freshly fried chicken that’s way too tempting

On a scorching summer day, what could be harder to resist than an ice-cold cola and freshly fried karaage? Taipei’s crossover project, “TAIPEI TAKEOVER,” returns for its third edition, this time bringing together Japanese craft cola pioneer Iyoshi Cola and Kyoto karaage brand KARAAGEYA for a limited two-day pop-up on August 1 and 2. Refreshing bubbles infused with Chinese herbal spices pair with karaage fresh from the fryer, crisp on the outside and tender within – the combination alone makes you want to add it to your weekend plans right away.

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A century-old recipe becomes a cup of Chinese herbal craft cola

 

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伊良可樂 台北中山（@iyoshicola_taiwan）分享的貼文

Tokyo-based Iyoshi Cola is a key force behind Japan’s craft cola culture. Drawing inspiration from a traditional recipe passed down for more than a century, the brand blends natural spices including galangal, cloves, cardamom, and citrus fruits to create a flavor with herbal aromas and subtle layers. Unlike the direct, pronounced sweetness of regular cola, Iyoshi Cola offers spicy and fruity notes with a refreshing finish. Its carbonation also strikes just the right balance with the richness of fried foods, giving the familiar fried chicken-and-cola pairing a more mature flavor profile.

Bringing Kyoto’s slow-food karaage to Taipei

 

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伊良可樂 台北中山（@iyoshicola_taiwan）分享的貼文

Joining Iyoshi Cola for this event is KARAAGEYA, a Kyoto brand based in Kamigyo Ward that embraces “Slow Food” as its culinary philosophy. The brand believes good food is worth waiting for: from selecting and marinating ingredients to judging the oil temperature, sounds, and aromas once the chicken goes into the fryer, every step is carefully handled by skilled artisans. KARAAGEYA hopes guests savor not only a piece of fried chicken, but also the time and warmth of waiting for the food to be ready. For this event, the brand’s team will be on site in person, bringing the “slow, quiet frying” technique of Kyoto machiya townhouses to Taipei and serving artisan karaage with a crisp exterior and a tender, juicy interior.

Fried chicken and cola can have a nuanced, grown-up side, too

 

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Karaageya（@karaageya.jp）分享的貼文

When the crisp, savory richness of karaage meets Chinese herbal craft cola, its herbal spice and sweet-tart citrus notes offer just the right change of pace for the palate. A bite of fried chicken followed by a sip of sparkling cola gives this simple pairing layers worth savoring. Curated by Yaku Soku Co., Ltd., “TAIPEI TAKEOVER” continues to bring food cultures and artisan brands from different cities to Taipei. For its third edition, special Iyoshi Cola drinks and freshly fried KARAAGEYA karaage will be joined by a limited VOL.3 collaboration set.

The event takes place only on August 1 and 2, with limited quantities available each day while supplies last. If you do not have weekend plans yet, add this summer pop-up, which brings together Tokyo craft cola and Kyoto’s slow-food philosophy, to your City Guide list.

TAIPEI TAKEOVER VOL.3 | Iyoshi Cola × KARAAGEYA
Dates: August 1-2, 2026
Time: 12:00-20:00; limited quantities available daily while supplies last
Venue: FOCAPOCA Brand Space
Address: Room C, No. 21-4, Lane 44, Section 2, Zhongshan North Road, Zhongshan District, Taipei City
Limited offerings: Iyoshi Cola special drinks, freshly fried artisan karaage from KARAAGEYA, and a limited collaboration set

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