Bafangyuan Century-Old Sanheyuan Hakka Restaurant

Review

Bafangyuan sits at No. 580 Xiaoqian Road in Yangmei, and the restaurant itself is a sanheyuan courtyard house more than a century old. The red brick, roof tiles and courtyard are preserved, there is a car park and a large lawn out front, and a café sits next door. Supertaste notes that the kitchen is led by a chef in his seventies who focuses on traditional Hakka home-style dishes, and it is one of the most talked-about Hakka restaurants in Taoyuan, often on Yangmei must-eat lists.

The menu is built around shared dishes. Frequently mentioned are the Bafang braised duck, Hakka stir-fry, stewed pork knuckle and the Bafang beef hot pot. Hakka cooking is savoury and made to go with rice: the stir-fry carries the aroma of squid, dried tofu and celery, while the knuckle is braised until soft and well seasoned. Another highlight for dine-in guests is unlimited sweet potato rice, which suits the bold flavours so well that many people keep going back for more.

Praise centres on the photogenic courtyard, how well it suits outings with grandparents and children, the lawn where kids can run, and generous portions. Some also mention the owner sharing stories about the old house and enjoying a relaxed coffee afterwards. Complaints fall into a few groups: weekends are crowded and dishes can be slow, some set menus feel pricey for small families, and a few travellers were unhappy about extra charges, so ask clearly before ordering.

Most sources say it opens Tuesday to Sunday, with lunch from about 11 a.m. and dinner from about 4:30 until somewhere between 7:30 and 8 p.m., closing on Mondays. Dinner closing times differ between sources, so check before you go. It is very popular, so calling ahead to book on weekends and holidays is strongly advised. The restaurant has its own car park, making driving easiest; by public transport you will need a taxi for the last stretch.

It is ideal for family meals, outings with older relatives or gatherings of friends, and groups of three to six can best explore the range of Hakka dishes. Start with the three classics of braised duck, Hakka stir-fry and pork knuckle, add a soup or hot pot, let the unlimited sweet potato rice handle the carbs, then stroll the courtyard for photos and rest at the café.