Lin Family Stinky Tofu

Review

Lin Family Stinky Tofu is at No. 130 Zhengqi Road in Taitung City, about an eight-minute walk from the Zhengqi Road tourist night market. Open for more than ten years, it is a stinky tofu shop that both locals and visitors queue for on purpose. Travel media describe lines at all hours and regulars who come weekly, and it often joins Blue Dragonfly and A-Hong Fried Chicken on Taitung City snack routes.

The only signature is fried stinky tofu. Cubes are fried until the outside turns golden and crunchy while the inside stays moist, then served under a heap of Taiwanese pickled cabbage, sprinkled with basil and finished with sauce; ask for the house chili sauce if you like heat. A diner's post records a large portion at NT$120, enough for two to share. Many travellers say it neither smells nor tastes very stinky and is more like crispy fried tofu.

Fans praise the very crisp skin, the refreshing pickles and a sauce good enough to drink, and some note that the tofu is not scalding and stays crisp even as it cools. Complaints mention fairly long waits, a strong smell around the shop and freshly fried tofu that can be very hot; some also wish for more pickles or are not used to the basil.

According to Google it currently opens from about 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.; older reports list weekdays until 9:30 p.m. and weekends from noon, so sources differ and it is best to confirm before you go. Expect about fifteen to twenty minutes in line, though it moves quickly. Parking nearby is scarce, so park a little further away and walk, or pick it up before or after the night market.

Good for anyone curious about Taiwanese stinky tofu but wary of strong flavours, and as an afternoon snack or a starter before the night market. A small portion suits one person and a large is just right for two; eat it with the pickles for the best contrast of crunch and freshness. For takeaway, keep the sauce separate so the tofu stays crisp.