Having brunch in a composting area – The LuLiao Stone House on Green Island has a uniquely “earthy aroma”

▲ Many old houses on Green Island were built using T-querns?ǜ (stone mills).

Reported and photographed by You t-rú / Green Island

In addition to the retro building trend on Taiwan’s main island, the outlying islands have recently also embraced the renovation of old structures. On Green Island, there’s a brunch spot housed in a former deer farm, where the area that once separated male and female sika deer has been opened up. Guests sitting in this “deer-raising old house” smell none of the usual animal odors—instead, they’re greeted by a distinctive blend of earthy scent and food aromas.

With the development of tourism, more homestays have opened on Green Island, and many old buildings have fallen victim to demolition by excavators. “Xia Ye Cold Drink Shop” is one of the old structures that managed to escape that fate. Originally a building for raising sika deer, it has been transformed into a brunch spot serving produce from local small-scale farmers. The owner, Ah San, said he wanted to turn the old house into a dining venue to support more local farmers on Green Island, “so that besides tourism, there can be other avenues for development here.”


▲ The compact “Xia Ye Cold Drink Shop” is tucked away down a narrow lane.

The compact “Xia Ye Cold Drink Shop” is tucked away down a narrow lane, and unless you’re led there by a local who knows the place well, you might never find it. Walking along the coastal path toward the shop, you first see the traditional stone façade of a Green Island home. Ah San explains, “This used to be the deer shed, and the one next door was the pigsty!”

Low walls, a low-pitched roof, narrow doors, and a small yard—that’s the first impression the Xia Ye Cold Drink Shop gives. This modest and unassuming eatery has just over twenty seats, spread across two small houses and the courtyard. Guests having breakfast here can choose to sit at stone tables on the lawn in the little yard, where a few people gathered around a table can enjoy delicious local dishes under blue skies and white clouds.


▲% and? The bench and the cozy space were once the first thing visitors noticed.



▲% The area where families once stored firewood is now a place where guests can enjoy their desserts.


“The yard didn’t use to look like this—it used to be a composting area full of manure,” Ah San says. Hearing this, guests glance down at the ground, but the now grass-covered area shows no trace of compost, nor any unpleasant smells. Ah San explains that in the past, locals on Green Island, unable to afford chemical fertilizers, used manure from their own sheep and pigs to save on costs—an old tradition among the island’s stone house dwellers.


▲ Enjoying a local brunch on the green lawn is a simple kind of happiness on Green Island.

The simple and unpretentious architecture is matched by equally straightforward ingredients. On a white plate, Ah San places homemade bread and jam, along with boiled eggs, bananas, sausages, and stir-fried mushrooms—a simple yet complete lunch. In addition to the food on the plate, there’s also freshly squeezed juice to try. While the flavors may not be mind-blowing, the handmade bread is hearty and chewy, paired with locally made jams and fruits, giving a light and guilt-free dining experience.

Aside from the meals, the freshly squeezed mango and pitaya juices served with the food are unsweetened, allowing the natural fibers and sweetness of the fruit to shine. Combined with the cool breeze from the yard and the earthy scent, it’s a unique treat in the morning on Green Island.

 
▲ Brunch at Xia Ye Cold Drink Shop is usually only available to overnight guests. If you want to try it, you’ll need to make a reservation by phone.

Xia Ye Cold Drink Shop
Address: No. 21, Gongguan, Lüdao Township, Taitung County, Taiwan
Phone: (08)967-1881