Don’t underestimate roadside delicacies. Crispy yet tender, this non-greasy cherry duck is delicious in two ways.

Text and photos bySangaoshi Han

A friend, Ah Jiu, had visited Yiwang Roast Duck in Longtan a few times. The photos looked great, and the quality seemed to be a cut above your average roadside roast duck shop. Before heading home for lunch, I brought one back to share with my family.

The most famous roadside roast duck shop that comes to mind is Renwu Roast Duck in Kaohsiung. Maybe next time I’m in Kaohsiung, I’ll stop by for a taste—its reputation is hard to ignore.

Yiwang is just a small corner shop, but they recommend reserving a roast duck a day in advance if you’re visiting on a holiday. I messaged them the day before through their Facebook page. They opened at 11 a.m., and there were already three people waiting. I heard they’ve been in business for over 10 years.

The owner asked me what time I’d be eating. I said around half an hour later, and she suggested not wrapping it in a plastic bag. “Just have it sliced and served on a plate in a takeout bag,” she said. “That way it won’t get steamed and lose its crispiness.” A thoughtful touch.

While it was being freshly sliced, I asked the owner if I could take a few photos on the counter. I think anyone can tell just how crispy it is from the pictures. Yiwang uses cherry duck. I couldn’t resist sneaking a bite or two as soon as I got in the car—the skin is solid yet delightfully crisp. Eating it plain is a bit oily, but I love the rich, fatty flavor of cherry duck. It’s more balanced when wrapped in a pancake.

A few years ago, the well-known and pricey Lan Cheng Jing Ying Red Mansion’s famous cherry duck (back then, a set of five ways cost nearly NT$3,000) had thick skin that was crispy and slightly flaky—but it got greasy quickly. For NT$550, Yiwang’s two-way duck is relatively affordable and satisfying, though the texture does decline a bit after bringing it home. Nothing beats enjoying it fresh.

Longtan also has a shop called Lu Xue Xue (or Lu Xiao Xiao?), which sells cheese cakes that also require advance booking. I previously messaged them for the price list—they offer six flavors besides the original (blueberry, cranberry, taro, etc.). Prices are NT$320 for a 6-inch cake and NT$580 for an 8-inch. I ordered a 6-inch blueberry one. The shop looks like an unoccupied house. Though it’s called a “pickled flavor workshop,” they no longer sell pickled foods—it seems to specialize solely in preordered desserts for pickup.

The cheese cake from Lu Xue Xue is made with all-natural ingredients, and the flavors are more subtle. I personally prefer something bolder, but I still ended up eating two slices. There are blueberry pieces at the bottom that burst in your mouth—tart and sweet in perfect balance, complementing the cake nicely.

Yiwang Roast Duck
Address: No. 589, Zhongfeng Road, Longtan District, Taoyuan City
Phone: 0932-108694
Business Hours: 11:00 AM–6:30 PM (sell out daily, closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays, irregular holidays)

Lu Xue Xue Workshop
Address: No. 491, Section 3, Fulong Road, Longtan District, Taoyuan City
Business Hours: 9:30 AM–6:00 PM (closed Tuesdays)

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