Buying 30 ingredients daily – A late-night skewer shop converted from a luck-bringer truck

Text and photos byShadow

When it comes to barbecue, Kaohsiung has many great barbecue spots, whether sit-down restaurants or street stalls, all serving as the perfect late-night snacks for locals. We’ve shared a few of our regular favorites before. This time, through a self-recommendation from the owners, we visited a barbecue shop converted from a luck-bringer truck near Xiaobei Department Store behind Jiouru 1st Road in Sanchong District. The owner said opening this shop was their second attempt at starting their own business. Their first venture gave them plenty of experience, and eventually, they seized the opportunity to open this heartwarming barbecue spot.

Initially, there was no fixed location—they operated the converted luck-bringer truck all over, working long hours. But the couple could work together, sharing all the ups and downs, which made for a rare life experience. Recently, to spend more time with their child, the couple decided to set up shop near their home. Though they gave up the hard-earned customer base they had built across different locations, the owner said that having more family time is absolutely worth it.

Don’t underestimate this luck-bringer truck conversion—it’s the fruit of the couple’s hard work. The exterior, including the signboard, was all DIY, done entirely by themselves without outside help, which is truly admirable. The truck is equipped with a full row of freezers mainly for storing barbecue ingredients. We also noticed that the meats here are all raw—none are pre-marinated or semi-cooked like at most other barbecue shops.

All the ingredients are bought fresh from the market in the morning by the owners, then cleaned and skewered. The reason for not marinating is to let customers enjoy the original freshness of the ingredients. As far as I know, there are around 30 to 40 types of ingredients alone in the freezers, and new ones are regularly added—so you don’t have to worry about eating the same things every time.

Seafood is rarely found in such barbecue shops, mainly because it’s hard to handle and can spoil easily due to weather. Yet this shop goes against the norm by offering shrimp, clams, fish, and other seafood for customers to choose from. There are plenty of options, with prices clearly marked on the freezer glass.

Customers pick their own barbecue ingredients, then pay at the counter, and finally, the boss does the grilling. They use a large gas grill, which avoids the heavy smoke from charcoal and the risk of ash touching the food—even for a street stall, food safety is a priority.

While waiting for your barbecue, try the free fish miso soup offered by the shop. We were honestly surprised by how hearty the soup was—this is a service you won’t find in most barbecue shops. The rich and generous miso soup is free for both dine-in and takeout; the boss is really kind-hearted.

Curry rice: 40 TWD
The shop also offers curry rice, another unique touch. The curry is homemade by the owner, not as sweet or spicy as typical commercial Japanese curries—it’s actually very kid-friendly.

Lamb skewers: 20 TWD/skewer (3 for 50 TWD), Matsusaka beef: 20 TWD/skewer, chicken drumsticks: 40 TWD/skewer (with fish balls and rice cake only 60 TWD), handmade sausages: 20 TWD/each
At first, we wondered if unmarinated meat would taste good when grilled. As it turns out, as long as it's fresh meat, simple seasoning is all it takes to bring out the best in skewers. For example, the sausages sold here are made using fresh pork sourced from a trusted supplier in Tainan—the texture and flavor are quite different from ordinary sausages, especially in terms of meat freshness. Regulars, be sure to try the sausages.

Seven-fragrance skewers: 25 TWD/skewer
Commonly known as chicken butt, this is a popular skewer ingredient. Its golden, shiny appearance is appetizing. Without heavy sauces, it’s naturally sweet and delicious.

Chicken skin: 25 TWD/skewer
The grilled chicken skin is amazing—crispy on the outside, rich in fat, with a satisfying crunch and tender texture. It’s hard to believe how delicious and affordable fresh ingredients with homemade sauce can be. This is a must-try here.

Vegetables: 20 TWD/skewer
For vegetables, they don’t skimp on cost, using high-mountain greens. We all know high-mountain vegetables are crisper and sweeter. Items like okra, green beans, onions, and bell peppers retain their moisture and crunch after grilling. A light brush of sweet sauce doesn’t overpower the original flavors—it’s really tasty. Those who don’t usually eat okra should give the grilled version a try; it might just change your mind.

{JWhite bamboo shoots are a shop recommendation. The boss grills them perfectly—the whole shoot is sweet, juicy, and full of original flavor. Fans of {Jwhite bamboo shoots shouldn’t miss this.

Fish cake slices: 20 TWD/skewer, rice cake: 10 TWD/skewer, tofu pouch: 20 TWD/skewer, soft tofu: 15 TWD/skewer
Thin fish cake slices are surprisingly chewy when grilled, and the rice cake has a soft texture—not tough like it usually gets when grilled. It turns out these ingredients are specially selected by the shop, which is why they turn out with such great texture and flavor.

Chicken cartilage: 20 TWD/skewer, plum pork chop: 25 TWD/skewer, mid-wing skewers: 20 TWD/skewer

Scallion pork rolls: 30 TWD/skewer
Unlike bacon, the pork rolls are less greasy and packed with lots of scallions. The blend of meat and scallion flavors is something I really love.

Thai shrimp: 100 TWD/bunch (sometimes 4 or 5 per bunch), clams (7 pcs): 50 TWD, grilled fresh oysters: 50 TWD

The fresh oysters come from Qigu in Tainan, where the water quality produces the sweetest oysters. When grilling, only lemon juice is used to remove the fishy smell—no other seasonings are added, so you get the pure, original flavor.

Rib chops: 30 TWD/skewer
Ribs are not commonly found at barbecue joints, and this was our first time trying them. Eating these ribs requires a bold approach—you really have to dig in and tear the meat off with big bites. They make a great drinking snack.

Caramel grilled sesame balls 5 NTD
Finally, finish off with a serving of grilled sesame balls. The description may sound a bit vague, but once you try them, you'll understand—the mixture of peanut powder and sugar powder sprinkled on top adds a delightful crunch. The taste is rich and deeply satisfying, hitting all the right flavor notes. They’re simply addictive. The burst of flavor when you bite in is incredibly satisfying, and the aroma is mouthwatering. You’ll know what we mean once you try them.

The shop offers these four seasonings for dine-in customers, arranged from left to right: shichimi spice, seaweed wasabi, chili powder, and cumin powder. You can add them according to your personal taste. We felt the boss’s grilling was already so delicious that we didn’t really need any, but they’re there if you want to customize.

Street-side barbecue stalls also sell alcoholic drinks. Having a little drink to liven things up is fine, but remember not to drive after drinking—don’t harm yourself or others.

● ETtoday East News Cloud reminds you: Don’t drink and drive, and don’t drive after drinking.

The shop emphasizes using fresh ingredients for grilling, and avoids heavy sauces, allowing customers to enjoy the natural flavors and umami of the ingredients. After going through a round of their offerings, we were truly impressed by the boss’s skills. Perhaps this is the true essence of barbecue. The shop now operates regularly on Guangwu Road, and we hope both regulars and newcomers will come support them. We highly recommend these delicious skewers.

Yingyanhui Grilled Skewers
Address: No. 10, Guangwu Road, Sanmin District, Kaohsiung City
Phone: 0932-820325
Business Hours: 18:00–24:00
Closed: Sundays (occasional additional closures; please check the shop’s Facebook)
Shop’s Facebook:https://goo.gl/lkK4nJ
 

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