Freshly caught seafood at Kenting’s small harbor！ Must-try signature dish: “Garlic Pan-Fried Fish”

Text & Photos /Gui Xiaosun

How can you visit Kenting without trying the seafood?! That’s what we think every time we go, and we always hope to find some local seafood spots too. Of course, they have to be fresh and appealing—not like the ones on Kenting Main Street XD. This time, we got to try two places in one go, and it was seriously so satisfying. Unforgettable!! For a seafood lover like me, tasting fresh seafood is the best part of any trip～

Both seafood spots this time were located at small fishing harbors in Kenting—one at Bitou Fishing Harbor near Eluanbi, and the other at Hongchaike Fishing Harbor.Bitou Fishing Harbor Recap: Bitou Fishing Harbor Seafood: The adorable little Bitou Fishing Harbor next to Eluanbi, with daily fresh fish supply. Lobster, clams, rain mushroom, and garlic pan-fried fish are all super delicious.And this post is to introduce ‘Fisherman’s Fresh-Caught Seafood’ at Hongchaike. This place is even more popular and well-known than Bitou Fishing Harbor. We loved both, and everyone can compare them for themselves～ I really enjoy eating seafood at these fishing harbors. What you get isn’t just fresh seafood, but also an atmosphere... Surrounded by cute little fishing villages near the sea, you don’t see the bustling crowds of Kenting Main Street, making it peaceful and close to the real Hengchun scenery. Take Hongchaike, for example—it’s located on the west coast of the Hengchun Peninsula, with Guanshan and Xiping Mountains as natural barriers. The waters here are home to a variety of corals and tropical fish, making it a great spot for water activities.

We parked the car at a nearby parking lot and walked into the charming Hongchaike fishing village. It was Monday, so you could feel everything was quiet and peaceful. If it weren’t for work, traveling on weekdays actually lets you appreciate the beauty and authenticity of small towns even more. Walking down the little paths, the sky was such a beautiful blue... We walked side by side, admiring the little flowers, grasses, walls, and stone fences along the way. We really loved it.

When we arrived at Hongchaike Fishing Harbor, the blue before our eyes stunned us, just like at Bitou Fishing Harbor. The blue of the sky is precious, but the sea—its transparency almost complete—made us catch our breath. Not sure if it was surrender to nature or a slight touch of acrophobia? Standing on the shore, we were truly awestruck, almost unable to speak. It’s said there’s the largest fan-shaped coral (sea mushroom) in Southeast Asia under the waters of Hongchaike, so there’s a mushroom-shaped pavilion here, which has become a landmark of Hongchaike.

Hongchaike Fishing Harbor isn’t big. As you walk in, you’ll see several seafood vendors... Turn toward the Coast Guard unit, and you’ll find ‘Fisherman’s Fresh-Caught Seafood’. It’s quite famous—Dining Style Player and many TV stations have interviewed it before. We came here after visiting Hengchun 1918 Credit Cooperative, craving something salty. We thought of heading to nearby Hongchaike. Originally, we had planned to eat at Bitou Fishing Harbor, but it was fully booked on Sunday. XD Our list still came in handy, letting us enjoy a seafood feast here on Monday lunchtime, the last day of our holiday. ^~^

‘Fisherman’s Fresh-Caught Seafood’ is bigger than the Bitou Fishing Harbor seafood spot, with more seats in the restaurant. But in terms of a simple, rustic atmosphere, I personally prefer Bitou Fishing Harbor. However, if you’re with family, parents, or kids, and in a larger group, this ‘Fisherman’s Fresh-Caught Seafood’ is more suitable. Couples who want to take their time, be closer to the sea, or small groups of four or five—Bitou Fishing Harbor is highly recommended. It’ll make you feel even more relaxed ^________^ /

At a seafood place like this, the catch varies every day. You might not get lobster, might not get LP clams, might not get the fish you want. But precisely because it’s uncertain, it’s full of surprises and anticipation. But because it’s all fresh, it’s definitely worth coming back again and again, right? XD

This time we ordered some dishes different from what we had at Bitou Fishing Harbor—more like what you’d typically find at stir-fry shops. Like stir-fried clams and bitter melon with salted egg. The clams were super fresh, tender, and sweet. Each plump one was a delight for my friend. The bitter melon with salted egg was also great—super tasty and goes perfectly with rice, nice and crunchy. So yummy. We also got cold jellyfish with salmon skin. We originally wanted LP clams and rain mushrooms, but they were sold out. XD However, the salmon skin was super Q and crispy, and the salad dressing really stimulated our appetite. It’s perfect as an appetizer.

Then, of course, you can’t miss the ‘Garlic Pan-Fried Fish’. They also have a version without garlic and scallions. This is a dish I saw a lot of people recommend online. I had it once at Bitou Fishing Harbor, and I couldn’t miss it here. The fresh fish is pan-fried until crispy, then topped with plenty of garlic and scallions. It’s exactly what garlic-scallion lovers like us adore. The tender fish, crispy skin, and these aromatic spices—honestly, I could eat a whole fish on my own XD

Right across from ‘Fisherman’s Fresh-Caught Seafood’ is the harbor view. Whether you stand or sit, you can enjoy it all—the wave-dissipating blocks that look like zongzi, the straight breakwaters... It’s so quiet at this moment, but your heart feels deeply content because of the sea breeze, and your eyes because of this vast blue sea.

Leaving Hengchun, we slowly headed north... I love this kind of relaxing, laid-back travel, and the feeling of personally ticking off items on the bucket list. I love every corner of Taiwan, whether it’s bustling or simple, lively or quiet—every bit of it. It’s all my home.

Fisherman’s Fresh-Caught Seafood
Address: No. 11-2, Hongchaike, Shanhai Li, Hengchun Town, Pingtung County
Phone: 0920-761-632

[Life is enjoyable when it's not boring. Gui Xiaosun]、FB

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