Hualien offers not only mountain delicacies but also flavors from the sea. Ahung has selected two dining spots in Hualien where you can follow his steps and experience delightful tastes.
Text & Images / Hung Chen
Asian Culinary Master, Host of the Renowned Cooking Show "Ahung's Special Dishes"
High-End Coastal Cuisine｜Farglory Hotel Hualien
Farglory Hotel Hualien is a British Victorian-style building located by the Pacific Ocean. The hotel’s “Akikusa Japanese Restaurant” specializes in slow-cooked Japanese hot pots, where the chef has developed a unique base stock. The dishes are meticulously prepared over low heat to achieve a perfect balance of color, aroma, and taste. The heartwarming Japanese broth and spicy broth offer a double feast that challenges your taste buds. The restaurant values local ingredients, believing that the more local the produce, the more internationally unique the dish becomes. By bringing the source to the table, they offer a zero-distance experience with carefully selected fruits, vegetables, and meats, always striving to restore the "authentic flavor" of the ingredients. A must-try here is the "Dried Flying Fish and Kombu Hotpot," which offers a flavor profile unlike anything else. Unlike the typical bonito-based broth, this one uses flying fish to enhance the umami, revolutionizing your perception of hotpot dishes.
Additionally, the hotel’s “The Oriental” offers a special dish called “Du Fu Tea Set Meal,” where fried rice is made with fresh Sanshing Scallions and topped with flying fish roe. The fried rice, cooked with pure tea seed oil from the East Longitudinal Valley, creates a delightful Maillard reaction, making every bite feel like the flying fish are dancing in your mouth. The fried rice is coated with scrambled eggs and flying fish roe, delivering a multi-layered taste of Hualien that seals your travel memories with seasonal flavors.
INFO｜Farglory Hotel Hualien
Address: No. 18, Shanling, Shoufeng Township, Hualien County
Telephone: 03-8123999
Business hours: Open all day
Lavatory: Yes
Pure and Natural, Authentic Flavors｜Na Hai Hu Farm Studio
Several years ago, Zhuoxi Township began developing its "Farm-to-Table" tourism with the concept of a "wellness kitchen" that replaces medicine with food. The area promotes natural, eco-friendly farming practices, avoiding growth accelerants. This has allowed the Summer Snow Mango to naturally ripen on the tree, producing an even sweeter and more aromatic flavor. The fresh bitter tea seeds from Zhuoxi Township are cold-pressed to make bitter tea oil, which is rich in protein, vitamins A and E, camellia polyphenols, and monounsaturated fatty acids. This natural oil is perfect for drizzling over noodles or vegetables and has recently become known as the "green gold" of the region.
Located in Zhuoxi Township, Na Hai Hu Farm Studio is renowned for its organic farming of Chinese mitten crabs. The name "Na Hai Hu" is derived from the old name of the Nanan Tribe (Maaivul), meaning "whirlpool." The farm's owner, Yung-hung Lin, uses pristine mountain spring water from the Central Mountain Range to successfully farm thousands of crabs using a grass-based approach. The crabs are not only notably large and flavorful but also undergo zero pesticide checks, ensuring a safe and satisfying meal for travelers. The golden crab roe and fat have earned praise from everyone who has tasted them. Whether enjoying fresh crabs in the winter or purchasing the famous bitter tea oil from the tribe, a visit to Zhuoxi Township is truly worthwhile.
INFO｜Na Hai Hu Farm Studio
Address: No. 24-2, Zhuole, Zhuoxi Township, Hualien County
Telephone: 03-8123999
Business hours: Reservation Required
Lavatory: Yes