Chen's Oyster Rolls

Review

Chen's sits near the corner of Anping Road and Yanping Street at the mouth of the old street. Supertaste writes that the family has been in the oyster trade since earlier generations and sells over a hundred catties of fresh oysters a day; with stock turning over that fast, freshness is the strength people mention most. The roomy, air-conditioned shop is a common recommendation from tour guides and taxi drivers.

The signature roll wraps fresh oysters and filling in traditional pork caul, coats it in a house-blended batter and fries it, so the shell is crisp and juice runs out when you bite. The menu revolves around oysters: an omelette under sweet sauce, crunchy fried oysters, a clear, sweet oyster soup, freshly grilled oysters, shrimp rolls and milkfish ball soup, with several dipping sauces on the tables.

Diners like the plump, fresh oysters, the focused menu that makes ordering easy, and air-conditioned seating in hot Anping. Criticism notes that the fried items are oily and one roll is plenty, grilled oysters shrink noticeably, and some feel the flavours have become touristy and uneven, with service and table clearing falling behind on busy weekends.

Ordering is self-service: grab a table, tick the order form, pay at the counter and wait for your number. Hours run roughly from 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., closing at 5 p.m. on Thursdays, though sources differ, so check before you go. Older reports put two oyster rolls at NT$60; prices may have changed. No alcohol is sold, and the old street and Tianhou Temple are right nearby for a walk after eating.

It suits oyster lovers who want to try a range of oyster dishes at the old-street entrance. Two people can share one order of rolls, an oyster omelette and a bowl of oyster soup, pairing the fried food with clear broth; if you want less oil, swap the rolls for grilled oysters or more soup.