Time to head home for dinner—homely dishes at a Taitung stir-fry eatery

Text & photos by25°C Blank

My go-to Taitung food expert, Xiaoqing, recently released a Taitung food book titled *Taitung Good Taste*, which shares the stories and recipes behind many local street foods. Thanks to Xiaoqing, I’ve gotten to try plenty of authentic local dishes. For example, the Kua Ji Snacks near Da Nan Bridge is a real gem—and this little spot is even featured in Xiaoqing’s book.

Taiwanese-style stir-fry has been popular for years. I remember a time when stir-fry joints were everywhere. But since most boasted dirt-cheap prices—one dish for just NT$100—the portions were inevitably small, the flavors overly salty, and even less-than-fresh ingredients barely noticeable. Over time, the craze died down a bit. I love Taiwanese stir-fry, but finding genuinely quality, no-frills spots isn’t as easy as you’d think.

Once, I read on Xiaoqing’s blog about a place he and his photographer friend would hit for lunch after morning shoots—a Taiwanese stir-fry joint. As Xiaoqing went dish by dish, describing each one, my mouth watered uncontrollably. Even I, someone who normally can’t stand shredded chicken, found myself tempted to try a few bites of their version.

So, during my island-rounding trip when I stayed at Xiaoqing’s place, knowing how interested I was in this Kua Ji stir-fry spot, he invited us to join him for a meal there before we left.

Kua Ji Snacks is right next to Da Nan Qiao—not hard to find. When we arrived at noon, the first floor was already packed; business was booming. So we headed upstairs. Since it’s a place Xiaoqing frequents, he naturally took charge of ordering. No menu here—you just tell the owner what you want, and she jots it down on an old calendar page. Super eco-friendly, though probably only she can decipher it XD

I really like the wooden signboard at Kua Ji Snacks—it’s got undeniable flair.

At the entrance, there’s a big freezer stocked with fresh ingredients, so you can pick what you want to eat. Xiaoqing, the foodie that he is, quickly ordered everything. We relaxed upstairs, waiting for the dishes to arrive. Before long, the food came. First up was the shredded chicken—just looking at the photo makes your mouth water.

Then came a parade of other dishes—Xiaoqing really overestimated our stomachs.

Of course, every dish paired perfectly with rice. Blame our tiny appetites for not finishing it all.

After the hearty meal, Xiaoqing chatted with the boss and his wife. You could tell he’s a regular—it’s thanks to him we got to enjoy such delicious food.

After lunch, we had a long drive ahead to Shoufeng, Hualien. But with such a filling meal in our bellies, we were good to go. I ended up dozing off not long after, probably from eating too much.

No. 855, Section 6, Zhongxing Road, Taitung City

25°C Blank
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