Must-Try！ A Late-Night Eatery Full of Southern Taiwan’s Genuine Warmth

As you push open the door, you’re greeted by the boss’s friendly hello and the sound of laughter all around, instantly making you want to grab a seat and dig in. This is the genuine warmth of southern Taiwan—a must-experience late-night eatery that locals don’t keep to themselves—told to you here！

 

Originally starting as an oden shop, Commoner’s Kitchen later transformed into a Chinese-style gastropub. Run by Macau-born chef Wong Meng Bo and Hakka cuisine specialist Hu Yuezhen, it's highly praised for its signature soups and drinking snacks. Diners include Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chu, baker Wu Pao-chun, celebrities Ding Chuncheng, and David Tao—all have become loyal, die-hard customers.

Having come from Macau, Chef Ah Bo’s specialty is undoubtedly his exclusive braised dishes. The secret to his family recipe lies in the flavor of oyster sauce. Braised pig trotters, braised intestines, and braised king-size chicken feet are simmered over low heat for nearly two hours until they’re fully flavored. Chef Ah Bo’s soup-making method is also distinctive, differing from typical Taiwanese street food. Wooden steamer baskets emit clouds of steam, releasing moisture into the air, ensuring every bowl of soup retains its original rich taste. Lotus root stewed with pork ribs and yam stewed with pork ribs are both healthy and delicious. Home-style dishes mainly use fresh, daily ingredients, with appetizers like braised peanuts and plum tomatoes. Paired with a fragrant bowl of tiger palm rice, this late-night eatery offers a simple yet deeply satisfying sense of fullness.

Yi Izakaya is a small family-run eatery. The elder brother, Chen Hongzheng, is the head chef, while the younger sister, Chen Yayuan, is the shop manager. Their seamless teamwork makes Yi Izakaya feel just like home. In addition to a fixed menu, Yi Izakaya features a daily chef’s recommendation. Fresh seafood flown in daily from Hokkaido, Japan—including scallops, squid, salmon, sea bream, clams, and snow crabs—adds to the authentic touch. One of the shop’s signature highlights is serving sashimi on ice at the counter, where the fish glistens freshly. The ambiance is warm and inviting, and the service is sincere, which is why regulars often bring friends along.