Family-Style À La Carte Dining in Taitung – A Fun Chef Serves Up a Symphony of Flavors

Text and Photos /Gui Xiaosun

I really enjoy seeking out ‘special foods’ in places I’m not familiar with—not because the restaurants have to be fancy or offer an extensive menu, but because I love the charm of family-run à la carte dining. Last year, I was thrilled to finally try 【Changbin No. 100】, and this year, during my two-night stay in Taitung, I spent quite some time deciding what to eat for those two nights. After some searching, I decided to have à la carte meals on the first night at 【Luye Bistro】 in Luye Township, and on the second night, I went for 【Big O Brick Oven Pizza】 in Tiehua Village. I highly recommend both—they offer completely different experiences, and I’m sure there’s something for everyone to love.

I arrived at 【Luye Bistro】 even before my reservation time. Following the GPS, I found the place right next to Luye Railway Station. It was so cute and charming that I couldn’t help but walk straight up to it. The bistro also had lovely hot-air balloon lamps—though there weren’t many, they started lighting up gradually as dusk fell, creating a heartwarming atmosphere.

Whenever I travel far for a meal, I always make a reservation. For example, I learned through research that 【Luye Bistro】 is a unique and thoughtful à la carte restaurant—and since it’s run by just the owner, the daily portions are prepared based on the number of reservations. Missing out on a reservation here would truly be a pity. 【Luye Bistro】 isn’t a glamorous or flashy place, but it truly represents the dedication of the people from this part of Taitung. Also, a friendly reminder: there was no air conditioning that day, but interestingly, everyone was more than willing to sit and wait eagerly for each dish.

The space inside is just on the first floor, with walls painted in a fresh grass green... It gives off a feeling of closeness to the earth and nature. There are many wooden elements throughout the place, which I only discovered last year in Taitung—local woodcrafts are surprisingly captivating. The kitchen is completely open, so the indoor air can get a bit stuffy—but so what? Even if we were wiping sweat from our brows, we were still excited to see what special dishes awaited us.

As soon as we sat down, the owner brought over bamboo cups and offered everyone cold water. I must also introduce the biggest highlight of 【Luye Bistro】—the owner himself. You’ll definitely be laughing nonstop at his confidence, humor, and wit. You’ll also discover his deep love for this land through his introductions. The food he serves is delicious, but trust me, the man himself is even more entertaining.

Calm and unhurried, he prepared each person’s soup, salad, and main dishes at his own pace. Each set costs NT$350, and you get a soup, salad, risotto, chicken cutlet, and pasta. The portions aren’t huge, but by the end, you’ll feel about 90% full. Take this bowl of soup, for example—it’s probably pumpkin-based. But its rich texture and generous ingredients will warm your stomach with every spoonful.

The salad is even better. The owner said you can taste ‘sour, sweet, bitter, and spicy’ in it. If you can’t, you might want to check your taste buds. We absolutely loved his humor and confidence. That evening wasn’t just about the food—it was a fun, performance-like experience.

As he tossed the salad with various greens—some of which I couldn’t even name—he managed to create a mix of sour and sweet from the dressing, the tomatoes, and even the slight bitterness and spiciness from the stems. These layered flavors made me reluctant to finish the plate.

Next came the risotto. The owner said he used rice from Chishang and didn’t cook it all the way through—so it had an 80–90% doneness, which I absolutely loved. The shrimp were grilled with no seasoning, letting their natural sweetness shine.

The main dish was even more unique, featuring king oyster mushrooms, bananas, and a chicken cutlet. The top layer of king oyster mushrooms was juicy and coated in sauce—sweet without being cloying.

But the real surprise underneath was the banana. As the owner said, you’d swear it was potato. How can bananas taste like potatoes? The texture and aroma were simply magical. It was truly unique and delicious. The chicken cutlet—whether grilled or fried—was tender and perfectly paired with the sauce. I have to say, this chef really knows his sauces and cooking. These simple dishes left a lasting impression.

The third main dish was a classic tomato meat sauce spaghetti. Though ordinary, its flavor and texture were top-notch. The portion was about the size of a fist, topped with chopped scallions—a satisfying finale.

With these portions and prices, I think larger eaters might not be fully satisfied. But if you’re not big on heavy dinners, or if you’re traveling with girlfriends or as a couple, 【Luye Bistro】 will be a wonderful memory. The food has highlights, and the owner is truly one of a kind.

When I checked out that day, the owner asked where I was from. I said: Taichung. He looked puzzled and asked, “Taichung has so much better food than here—why did you come here?” I said, “The internet?” He replied, “You trust the internet? Guess you’ve never hit a bad spot.”

Hahaha—Boss, you’re definitely not a bad spot. You’re one of my best memories from that night in Luye.

Luye Bistro:
No. 42, Section 2, Zhonghua Road, Luye Township, Taitung County
089 550 659

[Enjoy life without boredom. – Gui Xiaosun]、FB