In Taiwan, it is legal for restaurants to charge a 10% service fee, but this charge must be clearly indicated to customers, either on the menu or at the point of ordering. The fee is typically seen as compensation for staff or for maintaining service quality. It is considered a common practice in many mid- to high-end restaurants.
However, some restaurants may call it a “cleaning fee” or similar, which is also legal as long as it is transparently communicated to customers before they make a purchase decision. If a restaurant fails to notify customers beforehand, they could be accused of deceptive pricing under Taiwan’s Consumer Protection Act.
In general, the legality hinges on clear disclosure and transparency.