Korean-style Asian pear glazed grilled meat skewers are all the rage—customers tease the owner: “Who wants to eat your squid?”

Reported and photographed by Chen Ziying, Yilan

Yilan’s Luodong Night Market is famous all over Taiwan. Have you tried all the popular spots and gotten tired of them? In fact, there are still many local delicacies in Luodong Night Market that only insiders know about. For example, this “Xiao Zhen BBQ Skewers” is highly recommended by locals. The owner came up with the idea of using imported Korean Asian pear sauce on the grilled skewers, and its refreshing taste has won over female customers.


▲The seemingly ordinary grilled skewers are made extraordinary by the owner’s blend of two types of Korean BBQ sauces.

At this small stall, the owner only sells grilled skewers, with the rolled pork stuffed with Yilan’s Sanxing scallions. She said the shop once struggled because the ingredients were relatively expensive and switched to selling grilled squid. But to her surprise, a customer directly told her, “Who wants to eat your grilled squid? I want Korean-style grilled meat skewers!” Unable to resist the customer’s request, the owner decided to go back to selling grilled skewers to meet their demands. She laughed and said, “I had no choice. The customers kept complaining, and no one wanted to buy my squid anyway.”

“Back then, I thought, with so many people into Korean culture these days, maybe if I changed the flavor of the grilled skewers a bit, customers might like it.” It was this simple idea that gave ordinary grilled skewers a unique twist. Don’t assume it’s just about choosing one sauce to brush on—the owner actually mixes two types of Korean sauces, carefully adjusting the proportions. Since the Asian pear sauce is on the sweeter side while the other sauce is saltier, getting the ratio wrong can make the skewers unbearably salty.

 
▲The owner came up with the creative idea of blending two types of Korean BBQ sauces.

The slightly charred grilled skewers are finished with a sprinkle of sesame seeds. Take a bite, and you’ll find the flavor is unlike any other—the Asian pear sauce blends perfectly with the meat, leaving a delicate fruity aroma, while the crispness of the Sanxing scallions inside greatly enhances the texture.

 
▲The owner shares the process of constantly adjusting the sauce ratios while skillfully grilling the skewers; the sesame-topped skewers are bursting with aroma.


▲The owner’s warm hospitality leaves a deep impression. Next time you visit Luodong Night Market and want to try something different, the Sanxing scallion pork skewers at “Xiao Zhen BBQ” offer a uniquely delicious flavor.