Juicy oyster fritters burst with umami in every bite, and free pork blood soup is an eye-catching bonus

Photos & Text /Orange Dog Loves Candy

Having lived in Taichung for over five years, I often wander through its streets and alleys for work, occasionally spotting interesting shops. But more often than not, I just mentally note them and forget about them almost immediately—only to remember years later. Take this 【Ding Ji Fried & BBQ Spot】, for example—the first time I found it was during a late-night snack run. I thought about it afterward, but like many other times, I forgot about it until years later. At least that’s how it is for me; after all, even a simple bowl of pork blood soup outside costs around 25–30 NT$, and this place is just a fried food stall. But it left such a deep impression that I ended up returning after several years.

Actually, you’d notice its busy business just by walking past—it’s clearly very popular, especially since the free pork blood soup alone shows great sincerity, regardless of how the fried food tastes. The selection here is quite solid, with items like oyster fritters, fried tofu, and squid fritters, all freshly made. There are also some unique options like fried cilantro, though I went with fried leeks... So when I usually grab something like crispy chicken or braised snacks, a single order can easily cost 100–200 NT$ and be too much for one person to finish.

But seeing the pile of ingredients on the table always confuses me—I either overspend or spend ages deciding. This time, I didn’t get sausage or roast pork, and they even had fried cilantro, which is pretty unique (though I went with fried leeks instead...). So I often end up buying something like crispy chicken or braised snacks, spending 100–200 NT$ on a single order that’s tough to finish alone.

Luckily, I had a friend with me this time, so I let them handle the ordering. But for me, as a first-timer, I didn’t even see any price tags on the ingredients, so having to keep asking the owner got a bit annoying XD In the end, the two of us ended up with 300 NT$ worth of food, but luckily we were both guys and managed to finish it.

Also, the shop does brisk business—the moment it opens, customers keep coming, and the cooks keep frying nonstop.

Don’t forget to grab dipping sauce after ordering—I always felt the fried items themselves weren’t particularly flavorful, but they were indeed crispy and dry, without that heavy greasy taste. Without the sauce, some items might taste a bit plain, but the sauce itself isn’t anything special either, just the standard kind.

【Free Pork Blood Soup / Unlimited Supply】 This is truly a huge pot of free soup, and not some watered-down version with bits of pork blood. It’s packed with pickled mustard greens, dried bamboo shoots, tofu, and plenty of pork blood. Just scoop a bit deeper with your ladle, and your bowl ends up mostly full of ingredients with barely any broth left XD The sincerity behind the free pork blood soup alone is enough to win people over.

【Fried Glutinous Rice Cake / Fried Radish Cake / Fried Tofu】 Among these three, my favorite is the fried glutinous rice cake—it has a very mild sweetness, with a crispy outside and chewy, soft inside. It’s not too mushy or soggy, but still has a good chew. The radish cake is quite substantial and dense, with little seasoning (unless you dip it), keeping the flavor light. The fried tofu was decent too, though the outer coating was a bit too crispy and hard, and the tofu itself was just average.

【Oyster Fritters / Fried Leeks】 Since I got three oyster fritters, the plate was huge. The oyster fritters here are genuinely larger than usual—about one-third bigger than standard ones. They’re pre-cut into four pieces when served. The crispy outer layer has the perfect thickness, but inside, it’s packed with hearty ingredients: bean sprouts, leeks, and plenty of plump fresh oysters. Every bite bursts with oceanic umami, and while the seasoning is still light, it’s still delicious.

As for the fried leeks, they’re even better—crispy outside, tender and juicy inside, with the leek juice bursting out with every bite, super JUICY. But the owner really doesn’t seem to season much, so whether it’s the oysters or the leeks, the flavors are all kept subtle and natural.

【Fried Sweet Potatoes / Takeout】 This is a two-portion serving, and takeout comes wrapped in a plastic bag with the takeout tray.

Today, the two of us spent 300 NT$, which is honestly not bad for a fried food spot, though I do think it’s a bit pricey. Still, it’s cheaper than similar places, probably because the ingredients aren’t as luxurious or home-cooked. The few standout items—like the oyster fritters and pork blood soup—are quite good, though. But if you’re not as greedy as we were (though I did eat three oyster fritters...), just passing by this kind of fried food stall on an empty stomach in the afternoon will definitely make you crave something. Just don’t go as overboard as we did!) For me, the seasoning here is on the lighter side, but the portions for each fried item are pretty generous. Sharing my simple thoughts with everyone!

【Ding Ji Fried & BBQ Spot】
Address: No. 41, Section 3, Taiyuan Rd., North District, Taichung City
Phone: 0915581831
Business Hours: 2:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Note: Closed on Mondays. Drivers are advised to look for parking on Chongde Rd.

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