Yilan Seafood BBQ – Feast on palm-sized oysters and unbeatable seaweed shrimp

Text and photos byPurple Smile

How long has it been since you last enjoyed drinks and good conversation with friends!!? Last time in downtown Yilan, I had a blast chatting and feasting on freshly grilled seafood with friends at a “popular seafood BBQ joint.” It was genuinely a joyful experience. I initially thought it’d be just like a traditional izakaya, but it turned out to be quite different. Aside from serving the usual skewers, the highlight here is the high-quality seafood that you won’t find anywhere else!! Moreover, the shop name is well chosen—the word “夯” (pronounced “hāng”) in the name sounds similar to the Hokkien pronunciation of “烘” (roast), making this a fantastic new spot for seafood lovers to indulge!!

Located at the intersection of Fuxing Road and Jiankang Road in Yilan, it’s part of what you might call the Yilan Shinong commercial area!! Though parking in the city center can be tricky, there’s a Carrefour supermarket nearby with parking!! Next door is Yilan’s renowned old shop—San Mu Hang—and right across the street is 85°C. The location is excellent.

Chef’s recommended classic combo

Compared to the slightly yellowish lighting often seen in izakayas, this place is much brighter!! The environment is also very clean.

The seating area features standard wooden tables and chairs. While they’re ordinary, they have a way of making you feel instantly relaxed—no need to be stiff or formal. It’s the perfect spot to let go of the day’s stresses, enjoy a hearty meal, and unwind.

Just by glancing at the menu, you’ll see how the Hāng Seafood BBQ differs from typical BBQ restaurants—nearly half the dishes are fresh seafood!! Offering such a spread isn’t easy. Of course, while the prices may seem a bit higher than your average BBQ spot, the quality of the ingredients more than justifies it. This place is clearly positioned to serve top-notch seafood rather than being just another regular BBQ joint!!

Cold wood ear salad—this is a light, refreshing appetizer served complimentary by the restaurant!!

Fresh White Shrimp Plate. Not every dish here is grilled. Take these fresh white shrimp—they’re meant to be enjoyed simply as they are!! Just blanched before serving, it’s all about letting the natural flavor shine. This really tests the freshness of the ingredient itself—only the freshest would dare to be served this way. But if you prefer them grilled, you can also go for the fresh grilled prawns.

A must-order item for any skewer lover!!

From left to right: two skewers each of duck, lamb, chicken, and beef—plus one single skewer of pork. These kinds of grilled meat skewers are BBQ basics, so they’re almost always a must-order for guests. The grilling skills here are pretty impressive too!! In short, when the ingredients are top quality, the cooking shines!!

Two of each flavor—just perfect for us two couples to share.

Seaweed Squid 160 (TWD)Like the white shrimp earlier—not unless it’s super fresh would they put it on the menu!! With this one, just enjoy the fresh, natural taste!!

Freshness is king!!

Signature Grilled Cuttlefish 280 (TWD)

Small squid, medium squid, squid, cuttlefish~~ sometimes it’s honestly hard to tell the difference XD. But this grilled cuttlefish? Grilling is the way to go!! After a light sear, drizzle some fresh lemon juice, and the flavor totally elevates~

Fragrant Mushrooms 100 (TWD)Pair your fish and meat dishes with some veggies too~~~ these little mushrooms taste great grilled. I think the grilling process lets some moisture evaporate, which actually helps lock in their sweetness.

Unbeatable Seaweed Shrimp 250 (TWD) each Just had some freshly boiled ones, now switching it up with a grilled version. Everyone knows shrimp can be cooked in tons of ways—boiling is great for tasting their natural flavor, but lightly grilling them is surprisingly delicious too!!

Super comparison!! Next to it is a 50 TWD coin!! Now you can see how big these shrimp are XD. How good a shrimp tastes isn’t necessarily tied to its size, but there’s no denying that bigger ones just feel different—more satisfying in texture and in the bite!!

So great hanging out with good friends, drinking and chatting(Don’t drink and drive, underage individuals please refrain from alcohol)

Sakura Shrimp Grilled Potatoes

The texture of this dish is refreshing, and the aroma and crispiness of the sakura shrimp make it even more flavorful the more you chew!!

Grilled Tuna Jaw 250 (TWD)

Hehe, this dish is really classic!! Most barbecue joints wouldn’t even serve something like this!! The meat is extremely tender because the tuna skin protects it during grilling, keeping the moisture in!! There are no tiny bones or spines, so parents with kids can feel safe feeding it to their children. The meat is really tender and delicious—best enjoyed with a sprinkle of pepper salt!!

Ginger-Flavored Fresh Clam Soup 150, This soup is also amazing!! If I had to describe it in one word, it’s “fresh”!! Though it’s a small bowl, it’s like the essence of the ocean is right here. The shop owner mentioned that these clams might be unavailable for a while after winter starts, so seafood lovers should hurry up.

Haha, let me show you its size with my finger—Up!! It’s pretty big

American Gigantic Oysters 160

Just look at the size with my hand—pretty huge, right?

A light grill and it’s ready to serve—freshness is flavor

Thai-style Moon Shrimp Cakes 160, Jean loves moon shrimp cakes~ I didn’t expect them to be as good as the ones at the Thai restaurant in Crescent Mall!! Deliciousness is key XD

The shrimp filling in the cakes is quite substantial—it’s another type of seafood~ Right? XD. I heard this is a dish that friends who’ve tried it often order again; it’s pretty popular.

Highly recommended by everyone—the shrimp cakes are thick and delicious!!

The hidden gem has appeared~ Not always available even if the shop recommends it!!

Hidden gem: Grilled Large-Mouth Willow Leaf Fish~ Drool-worthy

You can tell the freshness of the fish just by touching it—and there are fish roes too!!

Sweet Corn Shoots 100

Huge sweet corn shoots—one of the must-order veggies when we come to a barbecue joint. We think these taste better grilled than boiled. Super juicy and sweet—definitely order this when dining here!!

When you’re full and satisfied, the shop gives you a 100 NT discount coupon with your purchase~ Welcome back, but remember it’s only valid for your next visit (no minimum spend).

Han Haiwei Barbecue is truly a unique spot because its main ingredients are all seafood, and high-quality seafood at that. Seafood lovers don’t have to stick to seafood restaurants—coming here lets you enjoy a relaxed and pleasant dining atmosphere while savoring the true taste of seafood!! Of course, Up, because the ingredients are high quality, the prices are a bit higher too, but in the food industry, you really do get what you pay for. If you want high-quality seafood, spending a bit more is totally worth it!!

Han Haiwei Barbecue
Address: No. 105, Section 1, Fuxing Road, Yilan City, Yilan County (across from 85°C on Fuxing Road, at the intersection of Fuxing Road and Jiankang Road)
Phone: 03-9313178
Business Hours: 17:00–23:45
Closed: Sundays
Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/seafood7953

We are Purple Smile Ben & Jean—we love food, travel, photography, and 3C.