Yong Yan Bistro

Review

Yong Yan Bistro grew out of Yun Lai Fang, a two-time MICHELIN Bib Gourmand. When Yun Lai Fang became so popular that regulars could not get tables, the exhausted owner closed it in March 2024; in June her son, second-generation chef Hsia Yung-yen, reopened at the current Chenggong 1st Road address under a name taken from his own. It kept its Bib Gourmand after the change, and Hsia also won MICHELIN's Young Chef Award.

The food is Taiwanese home cooking, but each dish has its own seasoning and timing rather than one all-purpose sauce. Regulars agree the signature is shrimp with silky scrambled eggs, made with freshly peeled shrimp that stay crisp; rock sugar pork knuckle is braised soft and gelatinous, and the hand-julienned stir-fried water bamboo is called a hidden gem. Kung pao chicken, braised fish and Sichuan-style meatball soup are also on the menu.

Diners praise clean, layered flavours, home cooking more refined than expected, quick service and a relaxed mood, and they appreciate that the staff help shape the order. Some, however, find the management unusual: the chef's mother, Sister Swee, keeps an eye on dining time, warns against too many heavy rice dishes and does not allow extra orders once the meal is under way. The biggest complaint is how hard it is to book.

Published hours are Tuesday to Saturday 11:00 to 12:30 and 17:00 to 18:30, which appear to be seating times, so follow the restaurant's arrangements; it is closed Sundays and Mondays. Media say it is booked out almost every month and recommend checking the inline booking platform often, with lunch slots most likely to open up, rather than calling. Dishes run about NT$200 to NT$500, and two floors hold 14 tables, with round tables for 4 to 12.

It suits family gatherings or hosting friends, and the bigger the group, the more dishes you can share. First-timers can order the shrimp scrambled eggs, rock sugar pork knuckle and stir-fried water bamboo, plus a fish or soup; following the staff's advice to balance rich and light dishes makes the table more harmonious. Start watching for reservations at least a month ahead.