Yu Jan Shin (Guangming Flagship)

Review

Yu Jan Shin is Dajia's best-known pastry shop, founded in 1966 by Chen Chi-chen and Liu Hsueh-o beside Jenn Lann Temple; reports say Chen decided to switch careers and make pastries only after casting six favorable divination blocks before the goddess Mazu. In 1990 the couple bought the Guangming Road premises to expand, and this flagship is also the head store, with a culture hall upstairs. After the founders passed away around 2002, eldest son Chen Yu-hsien took over and the siblings now run it by consensus; the business has grown to several stores, department store counters and a central factory, and it also supplies in-flight snacks to EVA Air.

Its signature butter pastry was launched in 1983. Early Dajia pastries mostly used lard, but Yu Jan Shin switched to butter made from fresh milk so vegetarians could eat them, and later refined the crust into a honeycomb structure. Several articles say it is crisp and layered, less prone to crumbling, with a noticeable milky filling. Flavors include original, black sesame, pineapple, rose and Earl Grey, and the original costs about NT$150 for three. There is also an award-winning lemon cake, bite-size mini butter pastries that are easy to share, and baked rather than fried one-bite sachima said to contain 70% less oil.

Its reputation is largely about integrity. During the 1988 Jenn Lann Temple festival, when other bakers wanted to raise prices, Chen refused, and the butter pastry went on to be called one of Dajia's three treasures alongside Mazu and woven hats. During the 2014 lard scandal the shop reported the problem itself and issued refunds, absorbing losses of more than NT$7 million. That said, most coverage found is introductory or corporate, with few specific consumer complaints.

The Guangming flagship is at No. 67 Guangming Road, Dajia District, open until 10pm, phone 04-2687-2559; it is easiest to shop here after visiting Jenn Lann Temple. Assorted gift boxes can combine mini butter pastries, pineapple cakes, purple yam pastries and mung bean pastries, and winter brings limited items such as strawberry nougat. Sources do not mention parking or payment methods.

It suits pilgrims visiting Dajia who want a box of the town's signature souvenir. Start with the original butter pastry and try Earl Grey or rose if you like it; for sharing with colleagues, the mini butter pastries or an assorted box are the most convenient.