Ya Rou Zhen Duck Rice

Review

Ya Rou Zhen stands at No. 258 Wufu 4th Road in Yancheng. Mirror Media reports that founder Wu Teng-chen started out in 1960 selling plain noodles from a pushcart, and the shop is now in the hands of the third generation; it is one of the names Kaohsiung locals mention first when duck rice comes up. It received a MICHELIN Bib Gourmand street food nod in 2022, though it no longer appears on recent lists, and its popularity has never dipped.

The signature duck rice is braised-pork rice crowned with thick slices of duck that carry a light smoky aroma and stay tender and juicy, with glossy minced pork underneath and the house garlic sauce for dipping. The broth is made from duck bones lifted with preserved cabbage, and duck with glass noodles or rice noodles is also popular; duck blood cake shows up on nearly every table. For more, add the mixed giblets of heart, liver, intestine and gizzard, crunchy with no gamey taste.

Diners praise the tender duck, the fair prices and the well-drilled staff who keep food coming fast, so even a queue does not take long. On the downside, some feel the minced pork is too dominant and masks the duck, others find the seasoning on the light side, and some mention the dated dining room and brusque service at peak times.

Hours are roughly 10 a.m. to 8:20 p.m., closed Tuesdays. Queues at mealtimes are normal; the Mirror Media writer waited about half an hour, while mid-afternoon around 2 p.m. is often walk-in. Duck rice costs NT$60 small or NT$70 large, and the mixed giblets NT$100 a plate. It is an old-style shop with little parking nearby, but it is close to Yancheng favourites such as Po Po Ice, so it is easy to link up on foot.

Ideal for first-time visitors to Kaohsiung after an old-school local flavour, or anyone wanting a quick, inexpensive meal. Order a large duck rice with duck blood cake or a duck glass noodle soup; groups can share a plate of giblets or blanched greens. Ya Rou Ben on Fuye Road comes from the same family line, and each has its own fans, so compare them if you have time.