Late-night skewer joint in Puli, Nantou — generous portions of thick, charcoal-grilled squid rolls!

Text & photos byKui Xiao Sun

Enjoying good food while traveling is absolutely essential—especially when the weather isn’t great, indulging in delicious meals helps make up for all the places you couldn’t visit～ (Wait, that sounded weird XD) Puli town is quiet at night, with few people or cars around, creating a relaxing atmosphere… For our three-day, two-night trip, we set aside an evening for barbecue. It felt just right for some festive eats during this Mid-Autumn holiday break as well！^______________^ / This “Haruika Charcoal Skewers” was found while browsing Instagram for #PuliFoodie, and the sight of those skewers on those wooden trays convinced me to put it on the itinerary right away～

“Haruika Charcoal Skewers” is located on Xinyi Road in Puli Town. There’s a parking lot nearby (but not the empty lot right beside the shop, mind you！XD). The exterior looks like a quaint little wooden house, and even before stepping inside, you can sense that late-night diner vibe—it feels like the kind of izakaya locals would come to at night. If you’re visiting on a weekend, definitely make a reservation—it’s a small place with limited seating, and that cozy atmosphere might just make you want to stay for hours…

Upon entering “Haruika Charcoal Skewers,” you’ll first walk past a semi-open kitchen—that’s the grilling area！The staff are super friendly and attentive, always noticing what customers need. After passing through this section, climb a few steps and go through a transparent plastic curtain (probably to contain the smoky aroma), and you’ll reach the seating area！^~^

Most of what you see on Instagram are photos of the food—the actual look and feel of the place is something you have to experience in person to truly get a sense of. Flip open the menu at “Haruika Charcoal Skewers,” and you’ll find the prices quite reasonable. Our table’s total, including drinks, came to about 1200 NT！It’s definitely the kind of spot worth recommending. The bottle in the photo above is a lovely sake sparkling drink brought by a friend—tastes great！It has a millet liquor meets sparkling vibe, lightly tipsy and quite enchanting, paired perfectly with the edamame served by the house :)

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#Sansho Chicken 2 skewers 70 NT　#Chicken Cartilage 1 order 70 NT　#Pork & Green Onion Skewers 2 skewers 80 NT　#Pork Belly 1 order 90 NT.

#Spotted Prawns 2 pieces 180 NT　#Charcoal-Grilled Squid Roll 1 whole 230 NT　#Green Pepper 1 order 60 NT　#{JWhite Bamboo Shoots 1 order 70 NT　#Onion Vinegar 50 NT.

That was our full order for the night. We didn’t get any rice as a main, but still left feeling super satisfied！^____________^ / First to arrive were the #Sansho Chicken 2 skewers 70 NT—this classic flavor is just delicious！They came out piping hot, crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. These are some tasty “chicken butts”! XD

#{JWhite Bamboo Shoots 1 order 70 NT.　
How could you visit Puli without trying its famous bamboo shoots!? This time, both homestays we stayed at were near {Jbamboo shoot fields—we definitely recommend going for a harvest if you get the chance！When it comes to charcoal-grilled veggies, the key is keeping that original flavor！No need for heavy seasoning—the natural sweetness is what makes it so appealing！^~^

#Pork & Green Onion Skewers 2 skewers 80 NT.　
But these pork & green onion skewers? They didn’t really wow us！Honestly, they were probably the least impressive item of the night XD. In other words, everything else was really great～

#Chicken Cartilage 1 order 70 NT.
We’re big fans of chicken cartilage, but not every BBQ spot gets it right for us！Some places pile too much meat over the cartilage, making it taste more like regular meat and missing the charm of the cartilage itself. But “Haruika Charcoal Skewers” is exactly our kind of flavor—crispy, bouncy cartilage, and importantly, fresh with no weird aftertaste！It’s also topped with simple spices and chopped scallions that just hit the spot！^~^

#Pork Belly 1 order 90 NT.
Compared to the pork & green onion skewers, I’m wholeheartedly recommending the pork belly—it’s grilled to absolute perfection！The golden, fatty strips of pork belly still have their skin and layers of marbling. Each bite is as springy and satisfying as eating wild boar meat！The fat is fragrant, and the meat isn’t dry at all～If we hadn’t been driving, I’d have totally ordered beer to go with it！^______________^ /

#Charcoal-Grilled Squid Roll 1 whole 230 NT.
The first time I saw “Haruika Charcoal Skewers,” I was drawn in by this huge platter of squid rolls！Of course, we had to get one (even though I was worried we wouldn’t finish it XD). You can choose between original or spicy flavor—the spicy one has chili powder added！But even for us spice lovers, we didn’t really notice the heat～My verdict: fresh, thick, and super chewy. That’s how I’d describe it！Every piece is generously thick, fresh, and incredibly tasty. You can really taste the natural sweetness of the squid, and it’s perfect for sharing with friends ^~^

#Green Pepper 1 order 60 NT.
As veggie lovers, we couldn’t skip these simply grilled green peppers！Perfectly cooked with just a hint of spice—they were flawless～Vibrantly green and super fresh, every bite had the right amount of crunch. Not raw-tasting at all, and definitely not overcooked！Very professional！

#Spotted Prawns 2 pieces 180 NT.
As a seafood lover, how could I pass up a few big prawns！The prawns at “Haruika Charcoal Skewers” are huge and fresh, and 2 for 180 NT is a great deal～One per person was super satisfying—firm, fresh, springy, and sweet. Honestly, I could have eaten a few more！Man, I’m such a seafood fanatic XD

Autumn is a great season for travel—you can enjoy more comfortable temperatures and a slower pace, whether it's day or night... Like during our two nights in Puli, the atmosphere felt completely different from the daytime！No blue skies or sunshine, but a cool breeze instead～This kind of weather is absolutely perfect for hanging out at a late-night diner, izakaya, or barbecue spot, sipping drinks with friends and enjoying some delicious travel food together！^__________________^ /

Haruika Charcoal Skewers
Address: No. 260, Xinyi Road, Puli Town, Nantou County
Phone: 049 290 1200
Operating hours: 17:00~24:00

［Life is not boring when you enjoy it. Gui Xiaosun］、FB