Don't think that the mountain town of Jiufen only has taro balls and teahouses—in fact, the seafood here is what insiders keep in their back pocket. After visiting night markets all over Taiwan for many years, I've discovered that Jiufen's geographic location is seriously undervalued as a seafood destination—it's less than a 30-minute drive from Keelung Fishery Port, and Ruifang Fishery Port is practically right next door. Add the cool mountain climate, and you've got even better conditions for keeping seafood fresh than you'd find in flatland areas.
Unique Advantages of Mountain Town Seafood
At 600 meters above sea level, Jiufen has become one of Taiwan's rare "mountain seafood" destinations. Every day at 4am, seafood trucks from Keelung Fishing Port begin their journey up the mountain, delivering freshly landed catches to Jiufen Old Street within just an hour and a half. This minimal transit time means Jiufen's seafood rivals the freshness of harbor-side catches, while remaining far more affordable than tourist fishing ports.
Another reason I particularly love Jiufen seafood: the town doesn't follow the flashy, superficial approach that caters to tourists. Mountain town people are practical, and they cook seafood the same way—withquality ingredients, straightforward seasoning, no fancy flair. They want you to taste the ocean as it really is. Plus, with rental costs lower than in central Keelung, the value-for-money ratio is consistently excellent.
Featured Seafood Spots
Shuqi Road Seafood Stir-Fry Zone
This area houses 4-5 specialty seafood stir-fry shops, making it the top choice for locals gathering for dinner. Their signature dishes are freshly caught baby squid and wild grouper, with the baby squid being particularly sweet. The owner explains this is due to the clean mountain air, which keeps the seafood free from any fishy odor. A table of four typically spends NT$800-1,200 on dishes, about 30% cheaper than the Keelung tourist area.
Qingbian Road Fisherman's Cuisine
Here, two family-run establishments specialize in seasonal seafood, with owners being second-generation fishermen from Keelung who personally select their catch daily. Red crabs are especially plump in fall and winter, while white belt fish and squid are the featured items in spring and summer. This area's distinguishing characteristic is their menu adapts based on the daily catch—no standardized templates here. Average spending per person ranges from NT$400-600.
Jishan Street Seafood Stalls
The most accessible seafood spot for tourists, though priced slightly higher, the convenience factor is unbeatable. Their seafood porridge and fresh fish soup are the most popular, made with broth from same-day Keelung catch—rich but not greasy. Individual bowls run NT$80-150, ideal for solo diners or couples looking for a simple meal.
Old Street Seafood Private Kitchen
A hidden gem tucked away in the old street alleys, known only to locals. The head chef previously worked at a five-star Keelung hotel before retiring and returning to Jiufen to open this small restaurant, bringing hotel-level craftsmanship to the mountain town. Their steamed grouper and garlic-soy white fish are signature dishes, with refinement完全可以与市区高档餐厅媲美。套餐NT$600-1,000，需要预约。
Qicheng Road Seafood Barbecue
One of the rare places in Jiufen offering seafood barbecue, the owner uses longan wood charcoal, giving the fish a subtle fruity aroma. The grilled mackerel and grilled squid are highly recommended—crispy on the outside, tender within—paired with the owner's special garlic sauce makes it particularly appetizing. Dishes range NT$60-180 per portion, perfect with tea or beer.
Practical Information
Transportation
Take bus #1066 from Taipei to Jiufen Old Street Station. The journey takes approximately 1 hour and the fare is NT$75. By car, take National Highway 1 to the Ruifeng Interchange, then Provincial Highway 2D up the mountain—about 45 minutes. Public transportation is recommended on weekends, as parking is limited on the mountain.
Dining Costs
Seafood stir-fry averages NT$300-500 per person, refined seafood cuisine is NT$600-1,000, and food stalls are NT$50-150. Prices are approximately 20-30% cheaper than at Keelung's tourist fishing port, with no compromise on quality.
Business Hours
Most seafood restaurants open after 2 PM and close between 9-10 PM. On weekends, they extend until 11 PM. We recommend dining from 5-7 PM to avoid crowds and enjoy the freshest seafood.
Travel Tips
The mountain city temperatures are 5-8 degrees cooler than the plains, so it's recommended to bring a light jacket even in summer. When dining, you can ask the owner to recommend the freshest catch of the day—it often proves more surprising than the menu options. If you're new to seafood, we recommend starting with steamed or simply seasoned dishes, which allow you to better appreciate the natural freshness of the seafood.
Qikong's seafood culture actually reflects Taiwan's wisdom of mountain-and-sea coexistence. This proves that excellent seafood cuisine doesn't necessarily have to be enjoyed at the seaside—sometimes the dedication found in mountain towns can deliver an even more authentic oceanic flavor experience.
