Tainan’s Hidden “Seafood Congee” – Enjoy White Shrimp, Fresh Oysters, and Mussels!

Text & Photos byPingzi

Tainan boasts many must-try local delicacies, and this time Pingzi wants to recommend Guanjin Seafood Congee, tucked away in the alleyways of Kangle Market on Haian Road. If you love Tainan’s savory congee, you can’t miss this spot. The seafood congee here is generously filled with ingredients and is a hidden gem loved by locals – a delicious taste that will linger in your memory long after your meal.

Guanjin Seafood Congee is located in the alleyways of Kangle Market on Haian Road, right next to the famous old Saka Liba and near the Iron Crispy Pork Biscuit (one of Tainan’s must-eat foods). The congee shop is situated at a very unassuming corner inside Kangle Market, with a transparent glass storefront and soft lighting highlighting its orange-yellow signboard.

The exterior wall features a large canvas showcasing the shop’s signature dishes.

Inside Guanjin Seafood Congee, the elongated space is compact. Upon entering, you’ll see a row of seating and an open kitchen to the right, with plenty of wooden decor and dim, yellowish lighting.

The glass door is covered with an array of food photos and glowing reviews. Judging this place by its modest appearance alone would cause you to miss out on its truly delicious food.

A view inside the shop.

The open kitchen constantly wafts enticing aromas that are sure to whet your appetite.

Utensils are self-service, so help yourself, and there’s no service charge here either.

The top is adorned with wooden signs listing various dishes, giving off a bit of a Japanese izakaya vibe – very unique.

The menu is mainly divided into four sections: rice, dishes, soups, and fried items, with prices starting from just over 100 NTD.

Don’t overlook the sauces here – even they’re made with care. The chili sauce is homemade and incredibly fragrant and rich.

The boss is very particular and confident about the seafood, personally sourcing and selecting it all, ensuring the ingredients are fresh, top-quality, generous, and substantial. This makes the otherwise simple-looking shop bustling with customers, doing extremely well in business.

The first thing that catches your eye when the dish arrives is the generous bowl of Guanjin Seafood Congee, priced at 130 NTD. You can also choose the miso flavor, but Pingzi recommends trying the original seafood congee on your first visit to taste the freshness of the seafood and the broth. The broth is simmered with real ingredients and vegetables, resulting in a sweet and rich taste. You can immediately tell the quality and care put into it – every penny shows. Pingzi loves this seemingly ordinary bowl of congee for its remarkably fresh “umami” flavor.

The surface of the congee is piled high with a bounty of fresh seafood, including: white shrimp, fresh oysters from Dongshi, mussels from Budai, squid, and crispy fried perch chin. A spoonful reveals just how abundant it is.

The rice is cooked until each grain is distinct and plump, having absorbed the flavors of the seafood broth, making it exceptionally tasty.

The perch chin comes from seven-star perch. Pingzi isn’t usually a fan of fish chin, but the selection and frying here are excellent – she finished a whole piece right away. It’s not fishy, very large and juicy, with plenty of fish fiber, offering a texture similar to that of grouper, boneless, with a crispy outside and tender inside – absolutely delicious.

If you opt for the spicy seafood congee, the difference lies in the spicy broth, which is equally fresh. Spice lovers shouldn’t miss the spicy version, but Pingzi’s top recommendation is the original seafood congee. If you want to try it, come early – sometimes it sells out by 7:00 PM, making it an addictive and unforgettable taste of Tainan’s savory congee.

Guanjin Seafood Congee
06-2235179
No. 86, Kangle Market, Section 1, Haian Road, West Central District, Tainan City (next to old Saka Liba and Iron Crispy Pork Biscuit)
Business Hours: 11:30 AM – 8:00 PM (may close earlier if sold out)
Closed on Mondays
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upssmile Pingzi (up’s smile upward smile)!
A designer by profession, as well as a photographer for Up’s Smile Travel, Food, Design & Photography.
Passionate about “travel,” “food,” “design,” “photography,” and film.