Chopstix & Taiwanese Bentos

Authentic Taiwanese bentos with famous crispy popcorn chicken and sides.

Chopstix & Taiwanese Bentos pairs the convenience of a rice meal with the fun of Taiwanese snack food, especially basil popcorn chicken and fried mushrooms. Chopstix & Taiwanese Bentos at 142 East 3rd Avenue in San Mateo focuses on Taiwanese rice meals and street-food snacks. Bento choices include crispy chicken cutlet, basil popcorn chicken, braised pork chop, stewed pork belly and Taiwanese sausage. Three-cup basil preparations add chicken, tofu and mushroom options, while grilled eel gives diners another direction for a rice-centered meal. The snack menu is especially useful for building a shared order. Popcorn chicken is fried to order and finished with basil and the house seasoning, alongside fried king oyster mushrooms, fried tofu and chicken cutlets. Oyster or shrimp omelettes and traditional minced pork rice further reflect Taiwanese comfort-food staples. Milk tea, fresh-milk drinks, teas and smoothies round out the selection. For Taiwanese food in downtown San Mateo, Chopstix pairs the practicality of a bento meal with the variety of a snack menu, including clearly listed vegetarian tofu and mushroom choices.