Kaohsiung’s newly opened “Charcoal-Grilled Submarine Sandwich” – a new late-night snack option for night owls

Text & Photos /Shadow

This area in Yancheng District has quite a few old establishments, but recently many new shops have also opened. One of them is Ya Pang Foreign Commodities, located on Jianguo 4th Road. At first glance, we thought it was a bakery, but later found out it specializes in charcoal-grilled submarine sandwiches. We’ve had charcoal-grilled sandwiches before, but this was our first time trying a submarine version – we found it very creative and worth sharing.

The owner is a young woman who loves exploring food and has some knowledge about cooking. With her own interest, she opened her small shop in early April. The cute toast sign at the entrance was her idea. The shop is open from evening until late at night, becoming a new highlight in the neighborhood. And with that charming sign, it’s easier for customers to find the place.

Although the houses around here are somewhat old, they’ve been repainted and look brand new. They retain the traditional terrazzo flooring, which is simple and clean. For sit-in meals, you can sit outside where it’s cooler. Inside can get stuffy due to kitchen heat, but thankfully there are big fans that help a bit.

The young owner does everything herself, aiming to offer the best to customers. She insists on making the charcoal-grilled submarine sandwiches to order, so everyone will need to be patient. The grill for the submarine sandwiches is quite unique – the bread is placed on the rack and cooked with charcoal fire, ensuring both the inside and outside are perfectly grilled.

It’s a self-service ordering system. Tick your choices and then go to the counter to order and pay. The Charcoal-Grilled Submarine Sandwich series is only NT$69, and comes with a small cup of black tea. If you’d like to upgrade your drink, just pay the difference.

Charcoal-Grilled Submarine Sandwich – Ya Pang Chicken Cutlet NT$69 (includes one small black tea)
The shop’s signature item is the Charcoal-Grilled Submarine Sandwich series. The bread used for the submarine sandwich is firm yet soft, similar to soft baguette. After being grilled over charcoal, it develops a slightly charred aroma inside and out. Topped with the shop’s homemade salad dressing, then layered with chicken cutlet, cheese, and lettuce, it’s ready to go.

The salad dressing used for flavoring is refreshing and zesty, with a citrusy tang that pairs nicely with the cheese. The chicken cutlet is pan-fried to a nice crisp, and overall the combination is delicious without being too greasy. There’s plenty of lettuce – clearly the owners pay attention to details and know the importance of adding veggies.

Charcoal-Grilled Submarine Sandwich – German Sausage NT$69 (includes one small black tea)
The German sausage flavor submarine sandwich uses honey mustard sauce paired with homemade pickles, which works surprisingly well together. The owner says each flavor has a different salad dressing to bring out the best taste – you can tell a lot of thought went into it.

It’s reminiscent of an American hot dog bun, but much more substantial. The crisp lettuce pairs nicely with the pickles, and nothing feels out of place. The German sausage is of good quality, making it a great choice for those who prefer lighter flavors.

Pocket Series – Garden Mushrooms NT$50

The Pocket Series uses thick-sliced toasted bread with the crusts cut off and grilled over charcoal. It’s similar to the common method for making charcoal-grilled sandwiches, but the contents and flavors are completely different. Scrambled eggs are mixed with wild mushrooms, offering a milky and eggy aroma. The outer layer of the toast is slightly crispy, while the inside remains soft. The flavors are well-balanced, making it suitable even for lacto-ovo vegetarians.

Pocket Series – Special Tuna Mix NT$50

Here, the garden mushrooms are replaced with tuna. Tuna is naturally oily and has a distinct flavor, and when paired with regular salad dressing, it becomes rich and flavorful.

Sweet Ya Pang – Condensed Milk Toast NT$39

Made using the same method as French toast, this sweet, fluffy, and delicious French-style toast is perfect for those with a sweet tooth.

All the above meals come with a NT$10 cup of black tea. The tea is fragrant and strong, just like the classic old-fashioned black tea we drank as kids, bringing back memories of childhood iced black tea.

Combo Platter + Two Small Black Teas NT$139
The duo platter includes fried snacks such as popcorn chicken, cheese sticks, German sausages, and fries, plus two small cups of black tea.

There are two dipping sauces provided – Caesar sauce on the left and ketchup on the right. Use whichever you prefer.

The fried items are tasty, and whether dipped in Caesar or ketchup, they’re delicious, satisfying both kids and adults.

Ice Cream Black Tea NT$30 / Large Cup (left), Sprite NT$30 / Large Cup (right)

From left to right: Small cup of black tea NT$10, Large cup of Milo NT$40, Super large cup of black tea NT$29
The shop’s black tea is on par with specialty black tea beverage shops – rich, smooth, and easy to drink. The Milo has a strong chocolate and malt flavor with just the right sweetness, which Shadow really likes.
Really impressive how this young woman manages to run a shop all by herself – it’s not easy. Fortunately, family members help out in the kitchen, reducing wait times for customers. There are bound to be some initial hiccups when opening a new shop, so please bear with us and be understanding. If you have any suggestions, feel free to share them with the shop – we believe feedback and encouragement are what help a shop grow. Kaohsiung’s West Coast (Xiziwan) gets more beautiful as the night deepens. Latecomers no longer have to worry about restaurants being closed, as late-night eateries are popping up like mushrooms after rain. Night owls now have a new delicious option – we highly recommend these tasty charcoal-grilled submarine sandwiches.

Yapang Foreign Goods Store
Address: No. 192, Jianguo 4th Road, Yancheng District, Kaohsiung City
Phone: 07-5310325
Business Hours: 17:00–23:00
Closed on: Sundays

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