Unassuming Stir-Fry Spot — “A Jiao Seafood Cuisine,” a Seafood Favorite Allegedly Loved by Cecilia Cheung When She Visits Taiwan

▲ Grilled black throat fish — the flesh is incredibly tender. Though not as sweet as red throat fish, the texture and taste are still excellent. If I could, I wouldn’t hesitate to eat a whole fish by myself.

Text & photos byMi’er

Taiwan, surrounded by the sea on all sides, boasts an abundance of fresh seafood, which has given rise to countless seafood restaurants lining its streets and alleys. From budget-friendly stir-fried seafood to upscale lobster and abalone dining, delicious seafood can be enjoyed everywhere.

▲ A Jiao Seafood Cuisine is said to be one of the restaurants that Hong Kong celebrity Cecilia Cheung must visit when she comes to Taiwan (left photo); the stir-fried clams here have a unique texture (right photo).

　Of course, I have many friends who love seafood, and each has their own favorite hidden gem. Located on Da’an Road, “A Jiao Seafood Cuisine” became a go-to spot for me after being recommended by an old friend.

　A Jiao’s storefront may not stand out, but it’s rumored to be one of the spots that Hong Kong celebrity Cecilia Cheung would always dine at during her visits to Taiwan. Don’t let the humble appearance fool you — the owner carefully selects mostly wild-caught seafood, especially seasonal catches. My friend Denis’s favorite is steamed midday fish with garlic, made with garlic from Tonglin in Yunlin County and wild midday fish. The broth is clear and flavorful, and the fish is tender and soft, always leaving everyone at the table scraping the bottom of the plate.

Owner A Jiao revealed that the biggest secret lies in steaming with hot water, along with an unspeakable ingredient that makes the broth so sweet and savory. Everyone sipped the soup in contemplation but couldn’t quite figure out that secret ingredient, so we agreed to come back next time to crack the code.

Blanched shrimp — though simply blanched, the shrimp meat is incredibly sweet. The owner said the shrimp are ocean-raised and not fed with feed, which gives them a particularly sweet flavor (top photo). Squid sausage is specially selected by the shop and loved by many who’ve tried it. A friend from Malaysia even said they wanted to take some raw sausage home.

▲ Beloved dishes: sesame oil pig kidney with garlic (left photo) and mud clam oysters (right photo).

▲ Two uniquely presented yet equally delicious dishes.

I really love the stir-fried noodles here — they always remind me of the flavors from my childhood.

Author of this article: Mi’er

Graduated from National Chengchi University’s Chinese Literature Department and pursued a career as a food journalist. Coupled with growing up under the guidance of a chef mom, she has a highly sensitive palate, not only loving to eat but also enjoying cooking. Due to her work, she frequently travels around Taiwan in search of delicious food, sharing her culinary experiences on her blog and often organizing group food outings. She is the author of the book “Group Food Tasting Reports.”

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[A Jiao Seafood]
Address: No. 19, Section 2, Da’an Road, Taipei City
Phone: 02-2706-1177