Floral-Check Seafood Delights in Penghu’s Alleys

Text & Photography / Wei Ruyu

Strolling through the alleys of Magong City in Penghu, it’s hard not to be drawn to this shop if you stumble upon it—partly because of its name, and partly due to its uniquely styled decor.

The large “Floral-Check” characters on the signboard might leave you puzzled at first about what exactly the shop sells...

It turns out that this is the brainchild of the fourth-generation successor of the local “Xieyuan Fish Market,” a young man named Xu Zhengzhong who took over the seafood wholesale business from his parents. In addition to continuing his family’s role in the seafood wholesale industry—distributing catches from hundreds of fishing boats—he also hoped to establish “Floral-Check Seafood Delights” as a way to combine the experience of the seafood market with a meticulous selection process, allowing consumers to more directly experience the seller’s lifestyle attitude and unwavering commitment to quality.

At “Floral-Check Seafood Delights,” you can see both the emotional and rational sides of Xu Zhengzhong. Upon entering the left side of the store, there’s a wall painted with adorable pufferfish and rustic wooden square tables where customers can freely try their hand at fish printing. On the other side, there’s an array of neatly arranged seafood hot dishes, snacks, and other famous pastries. The packaging of the store’s own products and the interior design are all ideas from Xu Zhengzhong, including the hand-painted paper lanterns on the ceiling, breaking the cold and rough impression often associated with frozen seafood shops, and replacing it with a warmer, more refined, and romantic shopping experience.

The frozen seafood hot dishes in the shop are one of its main signature items. Popular snacks and drinking accompaniments include grilled squid rolls, crystal ice rolls, and garlic-infused cooked rolls. Seasonal fresh seafood such as grouper, overnight-dried squid rolls, and barramundi are also favored by foodies. All items come vacuum-packed, priced between NT$100 and NT$360, while some are sold by weight. Staff will also recommend the best ways to enjoy different raw or cooked items.