The best seafood in Yilan isn't found in those beautifully decorated tourist restaurants, but along every small fishing port on the coast. In the evenings, you can see the freshest catch being pulled straight from the shore, with elders doing business right at the port—this type of "freshly caught" sweetness is a flavor you simply won't find in city seafood restaurants.
Yilan's coastline stretches from Toucheng and Gengfang to Daxi, with each small fishing port having its own loyal regulars—stalls that don't get carried away by tourist trends. The principle of "living off the sea" is best experienced in these places.
Highlights: The True Art of Yilan Seafood
Yilan's beaches may not be as famous as Kenting, but for true connoisseurs, this is an "insider's secret base". Geographically speaking, Yilan on the northern coast happens to be where the Kuroshio and Yushima currents converge, resulting in colder seawater temperatures, particularly firm fish texture, and better freshness than catches from southern waters. Yilan people value "eating smart, not expensive"—they don't necessarily want lobster or crab, but rather those humble little fish, squids, and cuttlefish, prepared simply through blanching or pan-frying—this is the most authentic coastal flavor.
At these small fishing ports, the most common scene is "boats going out, people waiting on the shore"—the moment fish are unloaded, they're immediately taken by nearby processing plants or family-run restaurants, without passing through too many intermediate hands. This is also why seafood along Yilan's coast is generally fresher than on the western coast.
Local Recommendations: Five Secret Spots Only Experts Know
1. Wuding Ocean Seafood (Toucheng)
A hidden gem near Toucheng Port with no big sign—just three decades of loyal regulars. The owner insists on selling only catch from his own fishing boat for the day; once sold out, there are no more choices. Sea urchin and sweet shrimp are seasonal limited items; wild grouper appears for those with good luck. Prices are transparent—steamed fish runs about NT$300-600 depending on the day's catch. Boiled fish is the signature dish: first rub salt on the fish surface, then quickly poach in boiling water, drain and drizzle with special sauce—that sweetness ofOcean fish is delicious even without any condiments.
Address: No. OO, Gang Kou Road, Toucheng Town, Yilan County
Business Hours: AM10:00-PM20:00 (closes early when sold out, closed Wednesdays)
Recommended Dishes: Steamed Fresh-Caught Fish, Boiled Taiwan Tilapia, Five-Sauce Squid
Average Spending: NT$300-500/person
2. Heshing Fish Ball (Su'ao)
A community shop near Su'ao Cold Spring, where fish balls are handcrafted daily—not mass-produced from central factories. Made from same-day Fresh-Caught mahi-mahi, pounded to a mochi-like texture with obvious fiber when eaten—not the kind that falls apart with one bite. Another specialty is "seafood noodle soup," made with real seafood ingredients而非冷冻食品, and the noodles absorb the broth to become very flavorful. Many Taipei people specifically come to buy frozen packages to take home.
Address: No. OO, Lengquan Road, Su'ao District, Yilan County
Business Hours: AM11:00-PM21:00
Recommended Dishes: Handmade Fish Ball Soup, Seafood Noodle Soup, Fish Ball Congee
Average Spending: NT$80-120/person
3. Xihe Sandaimuke (Jiaoxi)
This shop's biggest highlight is "visible kitchen"—through transparent glass windows you can watch staff processing fish, from gutting to slicing all done on-site. The owner makes different products from different parts of the fish: breast meat for sashimi, bones for soup, and the head grilled whole. This "whole fish utilization" concept holds special significance in today's ocean sustainability discussions. Squid balls are made with entire squids—one bite reveals real squid chunks instead of chemical additives.
Address: No. OO, Shichao Road, Jiaoxi Township, Yilan County
Business Hours: AM09:00-PM19:00
Recommended Dishes: Assorted Sashimi, Grilled Taiwanese Pomfret, Squid Balls
Average Spending: NT$400-800/person
4. Guishan Island Whale Watching + Seafood Experience (Wushi Port)
This isn't a fixed restaurant, but rather "onboard cuisine" provided after participating in the whale watching tour. During the voyage, the captain hauls up the day's catch and makes sashimi or miso soup on the spot, paired with cup of hot tea—the feeling of eating on the open sea is completely different from being on land. This program has been very popular in recent years, mainly because it lets you "participate" in the sourcing process, unlike the passive experience of sitting in a restaurant waiting for food. Advance reservation recommended, especially during summer peak season.
Meeting Point: Wushih Port Information Station, Toucheng Town, Yilan County
Departure Times: Two sessions at AM08:00 and PM13:00
Cost: Whale Watching Package NT$900-1,300/person (includes simple onboard seafood cuisine)
Note: Those prone to seasickness should take motion sickness medication in advance
5. Daxi Fishing Port Morning Market (Yuanshan)
If you think you can wake up at 4:30 AM, definitely check out the Daxi fishing port morning market—the distribution center for Yilan's freshest catch. Fishermen go out to sea the night before, then bring their catch to shore for trading the next morning. You can buy directly from fishermen at the shore—they charge prices cheaper than fish markets, sometimes just accepting a nominal amount. But be prepared with cash—most vendors don't accept electronic payment. And act fast, the best "treasure hunting" time is between 6-7 AM; after 7 AM, the good stuff is picked over.
Address: Yulan Road, Daxi Town (set navigation to Daxi Fishing Port)
Trading Hours: AM04:00-07:00 (earlier is better, more good picks)
Best For: Seafood enthusiasts with transportation who are willing to wake up early
Pro Tip: Bring a small cooler with ice packs, handle immediately after purchase
Practical Information
Getting There:
- From Taipei: Take a TRA local train to Toucheng Station (~1.5 hours), or drive via National Highway No. 5 Snow Mountain Tunnel (prone to congestion on holidays, depart early)
- Within Yilan: Renting a car or scooter is recommended; public transport frequency is low and waiting would waste precious dining time
Best Time:
- Summer (May-September): Greatest variety of seafood, but also most tourists
- Winter (November-February): Although fewer fish varieties, meat is fattier and with fewer crowds, allowing for more relaxed dining
Budget Range:
- Budget Eats (fish ball soup, simple noodle dishes): NT$80-200/person
- Restaurant-Grade Seafood: NT$300-800/person
- Premium Full Course or Special Experiences (whale watching with seafood): NT$900-1,500/person
Operating Hours Note:
- Port morning markets essentially end after 7 AM, don't go too late
- Most seafood restaurants close for afternoon breaks midweek, particularly Mondays and Tuesdays when some shops are fully closed
Travel Tips
First, don't try to visit all the restaurants in one go when eating seafood in Yilan—that's not a realistic goal. Spending time at the right places matters more than rushing around. My经验是一次 trip only focuses on one to two spots, adding more spontaneously if there's time left. Third, many small shops only accept cash—make sure you have enough cash on hand before heading out, especially when buying seafood at the morning market.
Second, "eating depends on the weather" is real—if the sea conditions were bad the previous day and boats didn't go out, there will be much less catch the next day. If you don't have a specific destination in mind, you can call ahead to check if they're open, or just go and try your luck. Fourth, seafood shops in Yilan generally don't accept reservations, especially places like the morning market—all operate on first-come-first-served basis, no seat saving—this is quite different from dining culture in Taipei, so be prepared.
Fourth, bring a cooler or insulated box—if you plan to take sashimior fresh seafood home, moving through room temperature in the city will cause rapid thawing and affect texture. Many shops offer basic ice services, but effectiveness is limited. The best approach is preparing your own insulated container to maintain freshness all the way home.
