Non-menu Izakaya in Jiaoxi — The prawns here are even thicker than your fingers!

Text and photos byDaku

Every time I visit Jiaoxi in Yilan, I always think of this hidden gem on my personal favorite list — “Yaochuan Creative Japanese Izakaya.” Combining elements of Japanese cuisine with an izakaya vibe, and using locally sourced fresh seafood and seasonal ingredients from Yilan, their exquisite cooking transforms the ingredients into one stunning creative dish after another. That’s one of the main reasons why “Yaochuan Creative Japanese Izakaya” has rapidly risen to fame in just two short years! Yaochuan has been featured in numerous well-known media outlets, and even a popular Taiwanese drama was filmed here, earning it a solid reputation. Recently, Yaochuan made some adjustments to its interior space and updated its menu, so every visit brings a little new surprise. This was my Nth visit (see first and second visit articles), and I still find the creativity limitless. Whether it's the tableware or the dishes, there have been clear changes. Yaochuan’s omakase meals can be enjoyed by groups or even solo diners. This time, I ordered an individual set meal, available in two options: NT$980 and NT$1280. I went for the NT$1280 version, which was generous and incredibly satisfying. Especially the huge king prawns — they left a deep impression on us. Now let’s take a look at what delicious food I enjoyed this time!

[Shop Information]
Yaochuan Creative Japanese Izakaya
Address: No. 38, Jiankang Road, Jiaoxi Township, Yilan County
Phone: 03-9883258
Business Hours: 11:30–14:00, 17:30–22:00 (Monday); 11:30–14:00, 17:30–22:00 (Wednesday to Sunday)
FB Fan Page:https://www.facebook.com/gyo.u.kawa/timeline

%The fan page is located right across from a large designated parking area, making parking very convenient!

%The second-floor seats offer a great view and are also the most recommended spots for diners.　

%The seats are spacious and comfortable, not too crowded or disturbing to others — very relaxing!

%The space is bright, and the kitchen is semi-open, adding a sense of security. Their courses are hearty, ensuring you’ll be full for sure. Yaochuan’s omakase is available in two price tiers: NT$980 and NT$1280. This time, I had the NT$1280 Yaochuan Special Set Menu! The dishes vary depending on seasonal ingredients, so you won’t necessarily get the same selection each time. There are also à la carte options such as sashimi, hand rolls, salads, sushi, soups, grilled items, drinks, beer, and sake. If you want to try different flavors, go ahead and order them. But honestly, the set menu will fill you up plenty — trust me!

%The first dish that came out was a refreshing amuse-bouche. When paired with the drink that followed, it was zesty and appetizing. By the way, the decor here is amazing — there’s even a small stone pavilion nearby. Great to look at and even better to eat!

%This is another NT$80 set’s creative appetizer. The owner specially let us try it — a creative dish incorporating local kumquats. It was sweet, sour, tender, and unexpectedly delicious!

%This was the starter that really got our taste buds going. It was a light and aromatic miso soup with tofu and seaweed.　

%The salad was packed with plenty of fresh greens, mushrooms, radishes, and tomatoes. The highlight was the lettuce, which was especially fresh and crisp. It felt healthy yet indulgent.　

%The next dish was a salad that really went all out. It was firm and bouncy, bursting with umami flavors. This salad quickly became a favorite of mine — it was gone in seconds!

%Then came the grilled skewers. Perfect for drinking — remember, draft beer tastes best when it’s fresh and ice cold (reminder: those under 18, please don’t drink)!

%The chicken skewers were juicy, not greasy, and had a nice smoky aroma. Even those who usually avoid chicken skewers would enjoy these!

%There were many types of skewers, including chicken thigh, pork belly, chicken wings, asparagus, and enoki mushrooms. Each had its own charm and tasted great.

%The tuna sashimi wasn’t just ordinary — it was especially good. It was soft and chewy with a noticeable sweetness, making it a personal favorite!

%The yellowtail sashimi was also excellent, not just the tuna. Each piece of sashimi had a slightly different taste, texture, and level of sweetness, but all were super fresh — it was extremely satisfying to finish them all!

%This dish was the scallop sushi. If you’re a fan of uni (sea urchin), you can also choose uni sushi or sea urchin rice.　

%The lamb chops had a nice char on them. The meat had almost no gamy smell, was tender and soft, completely changing my view of lamb chops. A sprinkle of the provided rose salt and balsamic vinegar enhanced the flavor even more. Plus, each person gets two lamb chops — very generous portions!

%This dish was the king prawn — it instantly thrilled us upon arrival.

%It’s one of the restaurant’s signature dishes. Next to it were lemon slices and salt, which you can use according to your preference.

%The staff kindly taught us how to peel the king prawns when we didn’t know where to start. You twist the second or third segment a few times, then pull it apart — and voilà, the pink, tender prawn meat is revealed.

%The prawn meat after grilling was surprisingly thicker than my fingers—just imagine how huge the original pieces were. One bite wasn't enough to finish it. The texture was springy, sweet, and fresh, quite different from regular shrimp, with a more pronounced sweetness. Absolutely delicious!

%It can also be made using the traditional local method of roasting over charcoal. Especially recommended is the small octopus grilled over charcoal.

%Next up was the oyster, which was a single large Kumamoto oyster grilled over charcoal and then finished with a dash of lemon juice. It was juicy and delicious.　

%The tuna was also grilled over charcoal along with various seasonings like garlic and chili oil. Especially the fatty part near the tuna belly, which had a unique smoky aroma. When grilled just right, the rich umami flavor of the tuna belly spread through your mouth with each bite. Simply unforgettable.　

%At that point, I was already quite full, but seeing the homemade, beautifully crafted grilled fish belly tamago sushi made me want to eat it anyway... The grilled fish belly looked exceptionally appetizing, and I couldn't help but take a big bite...

%There was also a regular-looking sea bream sashimi dish. Although it didn’t look particularly special, it tasted very fresh, and the slicing was done really well. Sometimes, simplicity is a kind of extraordinary flavor too!

%By this time, I was already super full, but seeing the homemade matcha cake, I still really wanted to have a piece. The top of the cake was imprinted with the characters “Yao Chuan,” and the slightly charred letters looked very tempting. The taste was full of matcha’s fragrant sweetness, and the cake itself was soft yet had a bit of bounce. Though it was a dessert, it was definitely not made carelessly—it was top-notch. Even their tableware was unique: there was a magnet on the wooden base that could hold the fork with the dessert on it. So creative. The pumpkin soup on the side was sweet and smooth. Paired with the matcha, it wasn’t cloying at all but rather complemented it perfectly.

%If you’re too lazy to go out, they also offer boxed meals that are bursting with flavor. Perfect for corporate meetings, group dinners, or events. But since everything is made fresh, remember to book in advance!

%Other set meals are also quite rich in content, featuring a variety of different dishes, sides, and desserts. They're all well-prepared, and once you try them, you’ll definitely love them.　

%Additionally, they also offer takeaway bento boxes. They are reasonably priced, come with free delivery, and include options like rice balls, salads, etc., which are great for office workers.

%Looking at the sashimi and sea urchin displayed on the counter, even I—who live far away—felt like having a bite (seriously)!

%This time at “Yao Chuan Creative Japanese Izakaya,” it once again gave me a huge surprise. Dishes like sashimi, grilled prawns, lamb chops, and the red miso seafood hot pot were all delicious and unique. Among the grilled prawns I've tried, this batch was the most impressive—the oversized prawns had a springy, sweet, and fresh texture, bursting with umami. The lamb chops were also a hit, with tender and juicy meat, enhanced by the rose salt, which added even more aroma without any gaminess. Lamb lovers must give it a try. The charm of “Yao Chuan Creative Japanese Izakaya” is that every visit brings a new creative surprise. Beyond the visual feast, your taste buds will also be delighted time and time again. No matter how many times you eat here, it never gets old. I hope my next visit will bring even more new discoveries and creativity—I’m already so looking forward to it!

【Shop Information】
%Yao Chuan Creative Japanese Izakaya
%Address: No. 38, Health Road, Jiaoxi Township, Yilan County
%Phone: 03-9883258
%Business Hours: 11:30–14:00, 17:30–22:00 (Monday); 11:30–14:00, 17:30–22:00 (Wednesday to Sunday)
%FB Fan Page:https://www.facebook.com/gyo.u.kawa/timeline