This bizarre pizza shop is insanely delicious — Li Fangyu reveals her hidden gourmet gems in Kenting

Text and photos by Li Fangyu

Where to go on a weekend?

Usually, I opt for places closer to Taipei, such as Yilan or Hsinchu in northern Taiwan. Generally speaking, anything south of Taichung is out of the question — too far and too costly — especially with just a two-day break. That’s why I hadn’t been to Kenting in three years (the last time was three years ago for a location shoot for a travel show). But this time, my friends and I decided to just go for it — no planning, no overthinking, just spontaneous travel. And so, we made it happen!

With only a two-day, one-night holiday, our mode of transport was: take the high-speed rail to Zuoying Station and then rent a car to get to Kenting. We didn’t waste a single second on commuting. Departing from Taipei at nine in the morning, we arrived in Kenting in just three hours and checked in right away. Since the main goal of this trip was to relax and unwind, I took full charge of the itinerary — having been a location show host in the past, my friends left everything up to me. So, I led the group in a very laid-back, carefree manner.

My first stop took us toa low-rise, foreign-run exotic cuisine shop in Manzhou((pictured above, right),)This exotic cuisine shop was actually introduced to me by a foreigner who runs a surf shop — he brought me here to his friend’s place during my last visit to Kenting for an interview. Though it’s grandly called an exotic cuisine shop, I’d say it feels more like a friend’s home in Central or South America. You’ll see a short, shabby old house surrounded by tropical plants, paired with tables and chairs that seem totally mismatched — like they were randomly picked and cobbled together, yet somehow create a harmonious vibe. Add to that some trippy electronic dance music, and ashop owner named Jonathanwho casually cooks while sipping drinks. Stepping into this odd little place instantly makes you forget your worries and transports you into a surreal, relaxing world. But that’s not even the highlight — the real star is the food, which is insanely delicious. The pizza (pictured above, left), curry rice, and even the post-meal dessert brownie ((pictured above, right)(pictured above, right)are all authentic, the kind of flavors you’d only expect abroad.

For our second stop, we headed back from Manzhou toward Kenting Main Street. Along the way, we passed by the famous “Spouting Fire” (pictured below), a spot many of us visited during our middle or high school years. It has now expanded into a sizable scenic area — no entrance fee required. You can even buy popcorn ()(pictured below)(pictured below, right)is even bigger than it was when we were kids. It’s quite an amusing place to check out.

Also, in Kenting, there’s a spot I’ve been longing to revisit ever since my last visit —the Huoji Duck Meat Vermicelli stall.Their broth is light, fresh, and naturally savory. Why so mild? Because it’s meant to perfectly complement their ultimate-style braised items, including duck meat, duck feet, duck wings, braised eggs, dried tofu, and more — all rich with a smoky flavor. Paired with duck juice and a super spicy chili sauce that combines perfectly with the heat, even now, as I write this, I’m salivating non-stop.

For me,one essential activity in Kenting is definitely diving.I’ve dived in Bali, Guam, Green Island, and Kenting, but I never expected the waters around Kenting in Taiwan to be the most stunning. Last time I joined a location shoot in Kenting and went diving, they took me down to 20 meters — it was like a dream world, filled with colorful coral reefs and vibrant schools of fish swimming all around. It was truly like a scene from Finding Nemo.

During this Kenting diving trip, although the tourist experience course only took us down to 8 meters, we still spotted plenty of oddly shaped coral reefs. However, the water clarity and the abundance of fish weren’t as good as they were three years ago. It struck me just how destructive human impact can be. So, to all travelers heading to Kenting — let’s cherish this incredibly beautiful marine environment that’s truly unmatched anywhere else in the world.

Li Fangyu’s Hidden Gourmet Spots and Attractions in Kenting

[The Rock Garden]
Address: No. 10, Gang'o Rd., Gangkou Village, Manzhou Township, Pingtung County (53.5K on County Highway 26 toward Jialeshuei)
Phone: 0925-751-032 (English) 0931-242-991 (Chinese)
Business Hours: By appointment only; please call ahead before visiting

【Chu Huo Special Scenic Area】
Address: Left side of the road from Dongmen Gate, Hengchun Township, Pingtung County, en route to Jialeshuei
Phone: (08)8898112

【Huoji Duck Meat and Tofu Noodles】
Address: No. 35, Zhongshan Rd., Hengchun Township, Pingtung County
Phone: (08)8891298