Is “Seafood Dish Caught by the Uncle Next Door Every Day” really a dish name?

Text and photos byMaji Little Rabbit

It’s been a while since I last visited Kenting. This trip was booked right after a March getaway with my junior high school girl squad to Hualien, leading straight to our June trip to Kenting’s White Sand 15Villa. (Are these ladies ever not up for an adventure... XD)

Usually when I go to Kenting, my list of must-eat spots is pretty much the same few places—the rest I find just so-so. For me, South Bay is even more of a food desert. But this time, I did some new online research and came across this place in South Bay called 【Lost Little Octopus】, which had great reviews and a style I liked. So I booked a table for everyone to try it, and it turned out to be really delicious. I personally loved it, so let me share this European-style wine bar with a Mediterranean vibe first.

One dish I especially want to recommend is the eye-catching menu item titled “Seafood Dish Caught by the Uncle Next Door Every Day.” “Seafood Dish Caught by the Uncle Next Door Every Day”—is that really a dish name?

Well, you could say so. Basically, it’s whatever seafood is available that day—basically fresh daily catch—but the exact types of fish vary. Everyone orders this dish, but the fish served can be totally different each time. However, because it’s all super fresh and comes in decent portions, the fish chosen by the restaurant are usually quite large, so they’re all nice and juicy.

This time, the six of us all ordered this dish, and each person got a different fish. One particularly huge fish cost NT$860, while the others were priced at the menu rate of NT$560. It was grilled to perfection and absolutely delicious, so honestly, whether it was caught by the uncle next door or not didn’t matter at all Up！

%The place has a very Mediterranean vibe in its decor, which is fresh and clean. It’s located right by the beach in Kenting. If you don’t book in advance, the 15th Villa manager told me I made a smart move, because otherwise, you’d really have to wait a long time... hahaha (hands on hips)

%The interior design is super stylish and gives off a chill coastal feel.

%The seafood here is super fresh.

%They also offer a good selection of drinks, so you can pair your meal nicely.

%All the dishes are well-balanced and flavorful.

The restaurant isn’t very big and has limited seating, so it’s best to make a reservation in advance. The staff at White Sand 15 Villa complimented me on booking ahead, saying that without a reservation, the wait can really be long... lol (chest puffed out)

%The ambiance created by the decor is really aesthetically pleasing.

%I think this is what a true “Seafood Dish Caught by the Uncle Next Door Every Day” experience is all about.

%There are also lots of side dishes and snacks to choose from.

%The overall dining experience isn’t compromised at all.

%I didn’t try the Grilled Squid with Sakura Shrimp... $160. I didn’t have this one, but it probably tastes pretty good.

%The Duck Leg Risotto... $380. I have to praise the risottos here—they’re all really flavorful and have a great texture. This duck leg risotto was delicious. The duck leg itself was just okay, not super tender, but still pretty good.

%The Scallop Risotto... $380. The scallops were naturally fresh and sweet, and the risotto was equally flavorful, with the rice cooked to perfection. It had just the right texture for risotto—not too mushy or undercooked. But I personally preferred the flavor of the duck leg risotto.

%The Clam Linguine... $220. This one was truly amazing—the clams were plump, sweet, and the sauce was outstanding. It sold out quickly. For the next dish, we used the focaccia bread to soak up the leftover sauce.

%The Focaccia Bread... $120. The bread was fragrant and chewy, but spraying just olive oil and vinegar on it wasn’t enough—it was a perfect match dipped in the clam sauce from the previous dish.

%The French Fries with Sakura Shrimp... $180. There was indeed a hint of sakura shrimp flavor, but the fries themselves weren’t very flavorful—it felt like you were mostly tasting shrimp-flavored fries... haha.

%The Spaghetti with Seafood... $380. The pasta was stir-fried fragrantly and deliciously, and the addition of seafood made it even sweeter.

%The Bacon, Lettuce, and Apple Salad... $200. The bacon was a bit salty, but pairing it with lettuce, cheese, and apple made it fresher. That type of lettuce was a bit bitter though, so I’d suggest mixing it with the apple dressing.

%The Fried Squid with Soft Shell Crab... $220. The squid and soft shell crab were both crispy on the outside and tender inside, but I don’t remember much about the beer.

%The Grilled Fish with Lemon Butter Sauce... $320.

%The chef’s special seafood platter was really well put together, with a good variety and generous portions. I really liked it.

%I don’t even know what this dish is called... .....$180. I was too full to try it, but my picky sister said it was really good. I’ll give it another shot next time.

%This one had a rather unique name.....$130 (per serving) Haha... (awkward laugh). I originally just wanted to have some soup, and the dish name sounded interesting, but... the taste was a bit unusual. The rain paddy mushrooms were crispy, but overall... it was an unfamiliar chicken soup—there wasn’t any actual chicken, just chicken broth.

%This one came with a side of seasonal vegetables.....$560
As mentioned earlier, you never know what fish you’ll get each day, but the ones the chef picks are usually quite large, very plump, and well-grilled. The fish was tender, juicy, and delicious. Though everyone got different fish, they were all tasty and had distinct flavors—I just can’t remember the names. Anyway, whether it was caught by the old man or not doesn’t really matter; the fish was genuinely delicious. The grilled fish was juicy, tender, and rich.

This one was particularly large. The staff will inform you at the start if there’s a bigger fish available that day (I think it was a black seabream, but I forgot the exact name). It’s a bit more expensive at 860 NT, but it really is larger and more plump. I think fish lovers would still find it worth it, so my friend ordered it.

The interior has a Mediterranean-style ocean vibe. Next time, you could come in the evening and have a drink. I really liked the “Lost Little Octopus” (迷路小章鱼), and I think it’ll make it to my go-to list. If you’re ever in Kenting, you should definitely give it a try.

【Kenting Nanwan Lost Little Octopus Bistro Piccolo Polpo Bistro】Mediterranean Restaurant
Phone: 08-888-2822
Address: No. 68, Nanwan Road, Nanwan Village, Hengchun Town, Pingtung County
Facebook Page:Lost Little Octopus Bistro Piccolo Polpo Bistro
Business Hours: Monday-Sunday 12:00-21:00 (Closed on Wednesdays)
Cuisine Type: Greek Mediterranean, Italian dishes, seafood, Spanish-style small plates

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