Brushed with an exclusive sauce, the meat is flavorful and chewy – A must-try local duck dish on Jinshan Old Street

Text & Photos /Pingzi

On a short trip to Jinshan, you can’t miss the famous Jinshan Duck Stall at the temple entrance of Jinshan Jinkoubao Old Street. This eatery has become a legendary spot among locals, representing a unique culinary tradition in Taiwan. Here, you can savor authentic Jinshan duck and the area’s famous sweet potatoes. Every holiday, the street is packed with visitors.

Jinshan Old Street, also known as Jinshan Jinkoubao Old Street, may be just a simple street, but it’s infused with a strong local Taiwanese cultural flavor. It’s highly recommended for foreign visitors exploring northern Taiwan and is a must-visit attraction. The street sells locally produced Jinshan duck and the renowned local sweet potatoes. During weekends, it’s always bustling with people.

No matter which entrance you use to enter Jinshan Old Street, you’ll inevitably spot the Jinshan Duck Stall in front of the Guang’an Temple. Though the stall may look modest, the flavors are rich and satisfying. Dishes like clams, oysters, and squid are all available. Due to limited indoor seating, it’s recommended to wait outside.

In business since 1958, this longstanding shop has thrived in Jinkoubao for over fifty years and is now managed by the second generation—Li Guangxiong and his wife You Mei. Originally a small noodle stall, it only began selling duck meat after two or three years. At first, they could sell just one duck per day, and even as customers gradually increased, the daily sales topped out at around a dozen.

It wasn’t until over a decade ago, when the government developed the North Coast Scenic Area and boosted local tourism, that Jinshan Duck truly took off. Business got so good that even with forty relatives and friends helping out, they were overwhelmed. Hungry customers began serving themselves by carrying plates and grabbing duck, eventually creating the unique scene of everyone walking through the old street with a plate of duck, searching for a spot to sit. It’s said the stall attracts nearly 500,000 diners a year. Prices are displayed on large, eye-catching signs mounted on poles nearby.

In front of the Zhangsheng King Temple at Jinshan Guang’an Temple, the Jinshan Duck Stall is a hive of activity, with elderly ladies constantly plating freshly cooked dishes. Just looking at the food makes your mouth water—it’s fresh and delicious. The owner insists on not using MSG or other additives, and uses sealed tubing to transport the brewed duck broth for making soup noodles and other dishes. Though it’s an open-air eatery, hygiene is a top priority. To meet growing takeout demand, the owner has also embraced modernity by offering vacuum-sealed takeout packages that are both hygienic and convenient, even suitable for enjoying abroad.

Whenever you visit, Pingzi suggests splitting up: some find seats while others go to the front of the temple to pick up side dishes, and another group informs the duck slicer how many portions you need (1/4, 1/2, or a whole duck, each priced differently). After eating, just sit and someone will come to calculate the total and let you know the cost—a very user-friendly system.

On the old street, many shops with numbers displayed are where you can get Jinshan Duck. This is a unique custom in Taiwan. The ordering process here is quite interesting: instead of ordering at the table, you first choose a seat, then someone goes to the slicing area to order the desired amount of duck (1/4, 1/2, or a whole duck, each at different prices). After finishing, you stay seated, and someone will come to tally up the cost and inform you of the amount. Pretty considerate, right?

A wide array of dishes is placed on the table as soon as they’re ready—you just help yourself. They look so fresh and delicious.

When visiting the Jinshan Duck Stall, just head to the temple entrance, and everything will be taken care of. It’s a unique custom in Taiwan. The process here is quite interesting: instead of ordering at the table, you first choose a seat, then someone goes to the slicing area to order the desired number of portions (with pricing for 1, 2, 3, or 5 portions; more doesn’t mean a better deal).

On the day we visited one of the numbered shops, as soon as we sat down, a crowd surged toward us. There are several numbered shops—if you see a big number at the entrance, you can go in and dine. Staff will guide you. Each shop has two floors and is very spacious.

The secret to the delicious duck here lies in using free-range ducks raised for about 130–140 days—the meat is tender and full of flavor. Topped with an exclusive duck sauce, it brings out the sweet richness of the meat. When in Jinshan, this is the must-try local dish. This plate of 1/4 duck is generously portioned, served with shredded ginger on the side. For two people, it’s very filling—even with leftovers to take home.

No meal of duck is complete without their signature dipping sauce. If the staff doesn’t give it to you, just help yourself—but note that sauces can’t be taken out and must be collected from the takeout area.

A must-order stir-fried dish here is squid (NT$200 per plate). Surrounded by fishing ports, the squid here is incredibly fresh, plump, and completely free of fishiness. Pingzi couldn’t stop eating it.

Another popular stir-fried dish is lamb kidney (also NT$200 per plate). The kidneys are tender and not at all tough, with a smooth texture complemented by green onions—offering an authentic taste of local cuisine.

The stir-fried noodles for two are also quite generous in portion. They use round noodles, which aren’t super flavorful on their own but pair well with the side dishes.

Prices are clearly marked by plate, so there’s no worry about being overcharged. That day, our four dishes totaled NT$660, leaving us completely satisfied. Pingzi highly recommends a trip to Jinshan and urges you not to miss this local delicacy.

Transportation Info:
By Car: Exit at Jinji Interchange (heading toward Wanli or Keelung), then take Jinji 1st Road (Provincial Highway 2), followed by Zhongshan Road and Minsheng Road to Jinkoubao Street, located within Jinshan Old Street.
By Bus: Take Bus No. 1815 (to Fagushan Scenic Area) and get off at Jinshan Post Office (Jinshan Station). It’s a 400-meter walk from there.

Jinshan Duck Stall
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Address: No. 104, Jinkoubao Street, New Taipei City
Phone: (02) 2498-1656
Business Hours: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

upssmile Pingzi (up’s smile Upward Smile)!
She is a designer and also a photographer for Upward Smile Travel, Food & Design.
Passionate about "travel" (旅), "food" (食), "design" (设), and "photography/film" (影).