Xin Yuan Seafood (Huxia)

Review

Xin Yuan Seafood is in Huxia Village, Jinning Township, and is a local seafood restaurant on Kinmen's western side that the media often recommend; it has also appeared on the Supertaste TV program. Huxia is near Kinmen's west coast, with a lake and coastal trails nearby, so many travelers fit it into a Guningtou itinerary for a seafood lunch or early dinner.

The menu is not fixed; it changes with the season and the day's catch, so what you eat may differ each visit. Dishes recommended by guides include fish balls stir-fried with egg and stir-fried sandworms, which are less common elsewhere. The sandworms are crunchy and springy and should be eaten quickly while hot before they toughen. Another is crab cooked with Kinmen kaoliang liquor, fragrant with the spirit and very much a local way of eating it.

Most diners praise the chef's skill, saying the dishes differ from typical restaurants, the local seafood shines and the atmosphere feels homely. Some remind others that it is not cheap, since seafood is charged at market price, so ask before ordering. The restaurant is a converted house with simple space and facilities, so do not expect polished décor. Overall it is seen as worth a special trip if you want Kinmen seafood.

It opens roughly 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and 5:00 to 8:30 p.m., closing on Thursdays, with a break in the afternoon. It is inside Huxia Village, so a car or scooter is best, as buses are infrequent. Because seafood is mostly at market price and sources give no clear menu prices, call ahead for larger groups to book and ask about a rough budget, and try to arrive early for dinner.

It suits groups of friends or families sharing a table, and the more people you bring, the more dishes you can try. Ask the staff to recommend the freshest catch of the day, then add stir-fried sandworms and kaoliang crab for a taste of Kinmen. Afterwards you can stroll by the nearby lake or visit the Guningtou battle museum.