Fenglin Youweng Chive Stinky Tofu

Review

Youweng Chive Stinky Tofu is on Section 2 of Zhongzheng Road in Fenglin Township, Hualien, and is one of the town's most featured snacks. Fenglin is an internationally certified slow city, and here stinky tofu comes not with Taiwanese pickled cabbage but under a pile of chopped raw garlic chives, a local speciality. Travel Yam's Fenglin food guide names Youweng and Huiyu as the town's two famous chive stinky tofu shops, calling Youweng the first choice for visitors, and Supertaste's travel show filmed here too, describing it as both fragrant and pungent.

The signature chive stinky tofu is fried until crisp and arrives covered in bright green chives and sauce, with chilli sauce available. The sharp chives cut through the richness of the fried tofu, a pairing that surprises many first-timers. The menu also offers kimchi stinky tofu, spicy duck blood, intestine vermicelli and pig blood soup; one blogger found the pig blood soup fresh and not too salty, lifted by chives and pickled mustard greens. None of the sources lists prices, which are typical snack-stall levels; check on site.

Fans say the chive pairing feels fresh, the pungent aroma is satisfying and the skin crisp, something you cannot find elsewhere and worth trying. Critics feel the chives simply replace the pickled cabbage without making it better, and some found the pig blood soup over-peppered; unless you are passing through Fenglin, a detour may not be worth it. Those wary of raw chives may need time to adjust.

Opening hours vary between sources. Supertaste and a cycling travel article give 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., a 2020 review said 1:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., and recent online listings mostly show 10:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., until 8 p.m. at weekends, so check before you go. The shop is on Fenglin's main road not far from the station, an easy stop while cycling around town.

Ideal for travellers on the East Rift Valley route, cyclists exploring Fenglin, or anyone curious about unusual stinky tofu. First-timers should order the signature chive stinky tofu and a bowl of pig blood soup, adding chilli sauce if you like heat. Groups can add the kimchi version for comparison or try the town's other chive stinky tofu shop.