My guess is that as real estate prices skyrocket and basic salaries stagnate, it becomes more and more difficult for most people to cook at home.
In the past people almost have every meal at home, and eating out is for occasions and celebrations. They want the food to be of a much higher quality than what they would have at home.
Now, for most young people at least, they can’t afford apartments with a kitchen, and eating out is a daily routine. They just want it cheap and get it over with, without breaking their already thin wallet.
A shift in the dining out culture is killing Taiwan’s culinary cred.