Pink skewers without sauce  Owner: "Eat them and you'll definitely fall in love with me"

▲At Yiqi Skewers, the owner barely uses any sauce, instead highlighting the sweet, natural flavors of the meat with rose salt, rock salt, and sea salt. The owner proudly says, "Eat them and you'll definitely fall in love with me!"

Reported and photographed by Chen Ziying, ETtoday News Cloud / Taipei

The weekend is just around the corner — have you decided where to dine out with friends? In recent years, skewer izakayas have become all the rage, with shops of all sizes popping up one after another. These spots have tapped into the habits of some office workers who enjoy unwinding after work with a few drinks, ordering some skewers as an appetizer, then washing it down with a beer. It’s not just about the food, but also the vibe. Around Liao ning Street in Taipei, there are also quite a few skewer izakayas. One of them, located next to Xing’an Park in Taipei, features wooden decor and large glass windows facing the park’s strolling pedestrians — creating a uniquely relaxing ambiance.

“Eat these dishes and you’ll definitely fall in love with me!” The humorous and personable Hong Kong-born boss, Ah Wah, has every reason to be so confident about his cooking. At IKKI Yiqi Skewer Izakaya, all ingredients are freshly skewered daily and sold until they run out — truly a “limited-edition” experience. Ah Wah said he doesn’t like to season his skewers with sauces. Instead, he prefers to preserve the original flavor of the ingredients and emphasizes overall freshness. His grilling technique also differs from that of typical skewer shops. Using “salt” not only brings out the original taste of the ingredients but also aligns with the currently popular health-conscious concept.

 
▲Left: Ingredients are freshly skewered daily and sold until they’re gone. Right: Large shrimp are also fresh and delicious.


▲Take a look at these shrimp skewers — they’re even longer than a human face!

Having lived in Taiwan for 20 years, Ah Wah says he loves the warm and enthusiastic nature of Taiwanese people. But in recent years, he’s felt that this warmth has gradually faded due to urbanization. He still vividly remembers the friendly interactions he experienced when he first arrived in Taiwan. That’s why he decided to reduce the number of tables in his shop so he can personally attend to every table, while also increasing the chances for “interactions between customers,” giving everyone the opportunity to meet new friends.

The signature dish at Yiqi Skewers, “Stir-fried Udon,” is cooked by the owner using a secret sauce mixed with udon noodles, then topped with egg mixture to give the udon a slippery texture. The sprinkled dried bonito flakes greatly enhance the overall aroma of the dish.

 
▲Left: Freshly served stir-fried udon, with the egg mixture well blended — take a bite and you’ll find it delightfully chewy. Right: The layered flavors of the mentaiko (pollock roe)-baked potato let you taste each piece of potato, paired with mentaiko salad — it’s never greasy.

Another of Ah Wah’s signature dishes is the “Mentaiko Baked Potato.” Unlike versions sold elsewhere, this one uses a salad dressing made from “genuine” mentaiko, which is then baked on top of the potato. The bottom layer gives you bites of potato, while the top offers the sweetness of the mentaiko salad, creating a multi-layered taste experience.


▲The Matsusaka pork skewers are also served without seasoning. Customers can choose to eat them plain or dip them in the mentaiko salad on the side for a different flavor.

▲The boss Ah Wah’s skewers are grilled differently from others, emphasizing the original flavor of the ingredients and only using various types of salts for seasoning.

▲The narrower interior of the shop is a deliberate design by the owner, who hopes to interact more with customers and create a warmer atmosphere.

  
▲Left: Solid wood window frames — as evening falls, having a drink here feels especially charming. Right:A little later, the small shop quickly fills up with patrons, instantly making you feel the “warm enthusiasm” the boss mentioned.


▲You can also choose an outdoor seat, which gives off the illusion of being in Japan.

[Shop Information] IKKI Yiqi Skewer Izakaya
Address: No. 168, Liaoning Street, Zhongshan District, Taipei City
Phone: (02) 2509-2083
Today’s business hours: Daily from 18:30 to 1:00 AM

ETtoday News Cloud kindly reminds you: Don’t drink and drive — safety comes first.