劉家莊燜雞

This time, our department dinner chose "Liu's Family Braised Chicken" located in Xinpu, a restaurant that specializes in Hakka cuisine. Although the location is somewhat remote and not very convenient for transportation, there are several leisure farms and attractions nearby, making it suitable for a visit. We ordered a table meal costing $3700 and added two more dishes; ten people were very satisfied. Here are some shares and reviews of the main dishes:

🍗 Signature Braised Chicken
The chicken is braised over burning wood in a metal barrel, giving it a slight smoky aroma and a somewhat salty flavor. The meat is tender but not particularly surprising. You need to wear gloves to shred the chicken, which adds interactivity to the dining experience. Overall, this dish is above average but might not be suitable for those who don’t enjoy smoky flavors.

🥢 Crispy Tofu Rolls
This dish resembles fried spring rolls, with a crispy outer layer dusted with powdered sugar. The filling consists mainly of tofu, pork floss, and cilantro. The combination of sweet and salty flavors, along with the prominent aroma of cilantro, makes for a very unique tasting experience. For cilantro lovers, this is a dish worth trying.

🍲 Jade Seafood Soup
A classic Taiwanese soup with a thick broth that is slightly sweet, it pairs well with rice. The soup is rich in seafood ingredients, making it suitable for those who enjoy Taiwanese-style soups.

🍚 Hakka Oil Rice
The oil rice is topped with crispy dried shrimp, releasing a delightful aroma. The rice grains are not overly sticky, offering a moderate texture. The overall seasoning is somewhat salty, but complements the shrimp’s fragrance well, making this a highly recommended dish.

🐟 Thai Sweet and Sour Fish
The fish is fried until crispy and drenched in a classic Thai sweet and spicy sauce, with a rich sweet and sour flavor. However, the skin of the fish is a bit tough and can be challenging to pick up, possibly due to the sauce. The fish meat inside is tender, and aside from the slightly hard skin, the taste is very good.

🥓 Braised Bamboo Shoots with Pork Belly
This dish stands out with its tender and flavorful bamboo shoots, though the large pieces can be a bit difficult to share. The pork belly has a good balance of fat and lean meat, the skin is chewy, and the lean meat is not dry. This dish is highly recommended.

📝 Overall Evaluation
"Liu's Family Braised Chicken" offers affordable prices with stable flavors and most dishes are above standard. While the signature braised chicken is good, I personally recommend the braised bamboo shoots with pork belly more. Due to the somewhat remote location, it’s advised to plan your visit alongside nearby farm attractions. If you enjoy Hakka-style cuisine, this place is definitely worth trying.