The rebellious girl from Chiayi makes an offbeat meal that’s surprisingly addictive

▲ One of the signature dishes at Chiayi’s “Hello. Japanese Canteen”: Japanese pan-fried dumplings.

Text and photos / Mirror Media Weekly

Ye Hui-ling (Mia), the owner of “Hello. Japanese Canteen,” who looks like the girl next door, actually has a bit of rebellion in her blood. The previous iteration of the shop served brunch, but she found it too common and too crowded with competitors. In December last year, she decided to switch to a canteen-style eatery, focusing on Japanese pan-fried dumplings and tsukemen. She said, “Should I call it quirky? Honestly, I just didn’t want to follow the crowd. What I want to do now is serve food that hasn’t quite caught on in Chiayi yet.” The gentle craftsmanship of this rebellious girl results in everyday flavors that are unexpectedly satisfying.

As you turn into a small street in Chiayi City, you might easily miss the place if not for a large curtain bearing the shop’s name hanging in front of the door. Stepping into “Hello. Japanese Canteen,” you’ll find owner Mia already in the kitchen preparing ingredients early in the morning. The clinking of utensils, the sizzle of blanched vegetables in a small pot, and the crackle of the stove create a lively atmosphere in the cozy shop. A native of Chiayi, Mia chose to start her business back home rather than competing in the commercial district. She said, “I picked this spot on purpose. It’s not crowded, and I really like the layout of this old building. The wall facing the alley is all windows, and there are two doors at the entrance—very airy.”

The signature “Cheese Pan-Fried Dumplings” are fried to a perfect golden hue, resembling Japanese-style yaki-gyoza with their icy-crystal crusts, but the filling is the familiar Taiwanese-style pork dumpling: thin wrappers filled with ground pork, shredded cabbage, and a hint of flavor from rice wine. The ingredients aren’t complicated, but they’re so good you can’t stop popping them into your mouth. The “Original Pan-Fried Dumplings” also come with a bottle of Chiayi’s classic soy sauce, “Wan Jin Pai Zheng Yin You,” adding a touch of old-school charm.

▲ Owner Ye Hui-ling Mia (right) and her partner Jiang Jiang (left) aren’t sisters, but they share a similar look and vibe—both are adorable, girl-next-door types.

▲ Dumpling wrappers made specially thinner by the noodle factory, with fillings based on owner Mia’s own recipe.

▲ Ordering the “Original Pan-Fried Dumplings” comes with Chiayi’s traditionally brewed “Wan Jin Pai Zheng Yin You” dipping sauce.

▲ In the mornings when the shop opens, owner Mia and Jiang Jiang prepare ingredients together.

After polishing off a big plate of dumplings, the tsukemen arrives. Mia uses noodles from “Mai Mian,” a brand founded by another Chiayi returnee youth, made with natural ingredients like black sesame and purple sweet potato. The vibrant noodle colors catch your eye immediately and pair well with either a sesame sauce or a yuzu-flavored sauce, catering to both rich and refreshing taste preferences. Meat lovers can try the new dish “Grilled Char Siu Rice,” where the char siu is braised in an aged marinade before being torched to render out the fat, resulting in a mouthful of juicy, savory goodness.

▲ “Pork Tsukemen Cold Noodles Set” with purple sweet potato cold noodles and yuzu bonito sauce, refreshing and appetizing. (180 TWD per serving)


▲ “Orange Sesame Cold Tsukemen” with black sesame noodles dipped in sesame sauce, leaving a lingering aroma. (200 TWD per serving)

▲ The cold noodles are made with purple sweet potato and sesame varieties produced by Chiayi’s “Mai Mian” using natural ingredients.

▲ “Pork Sukiyaki Rice Set” features plum pork slices braised with onions and sukiyaki sauce until sweet and fragrant, paired with buttery rice for extra comfort. (220 TWD per serving)

▲ “Grilled Char Siu Rice Set” where the char siu is braised in an aged marinade and then torched before serving to bring out the fat. (260 TWD per serving)

▲ A glass display case styled like an old-fashioned pantry holds the day’s freshly made side dishes.

▲ The original terrazzo flooring has been preserved, adding a homely feel.

▲ Table numbers are identified by words instead of numbers.

▲ “Hello. Japanese Canteen” deliberately stays away from Chiayi City’s busy commercial areas, nestled in a quiet side street.