"Floral Grid Seafood Delights" in the Alleys of Penghu

Written & Photographed by Wei Ruyu

Strolling through the alleys of Magong City in Penghu, it’s hard not to be drawn to this shop if you happen upon it—partly because of its name, and partly due to its uniquely styled decor.

The large "Floral Grid" characters on the signboard might leave you puzzled at first about what the shop actually sells. But as you step closer, it feels a bit like a souvenir shop...

It turns out that this is an initiative passed down to the fourth generation of the local "Xieyuan Fish Market." A young man—Xu Zhengzhong—who took over the seafood wholesale business from his parents and grandparents not only continued and developed their role in the wholesale seafood industry, distributing catches from hundreds of fishing boats, but also hoped to create "Floral Grid Seafood Delights" as a way to combine the experience of the fish market with a spirit of careful selection. This allows consumers to more directly experience the sellers' lifestyle and their dedication to quality.

At "Floral Grid Seafood Delights," you can see both the emotional and rational sides of Xu Zhengzhong. As soon as you enter the left side of the shop, there’s a wall painted with adorable pufferfish and a rustic wooden square table where guests can freely try their hand at fish printing. On the other side, there are neatly arranged varieties of cooked seafood, snacks, and other famous pastries. The packaging of the in-house products and the space design are all conceived by Xu Zhengzhong, including the hand-painted paper lanterns on the ceiling, breaking the usual cold and rough impression of a frozen seafood shop and instead offering a warmer, more refined, and romantic shopping experience.

The frozen cooked seafood is one of the main featured products in the shop. Popular snacks and drinking accompaniments include grilled squid rolls, crystal ice rolls, and garlic-cooked rolls. Seasonal fresh seafood such as grouper, overnight-dried squid rolls, and barramundi are also top choices for foodies. All are vacuum-packed, priced between NT$100 and NT$360, with some sold by weight. Staff will also recommend the best ways to enjoy different fresh and cooked items.