阿秋鮮魚湯

Arriving in Fangliao, a small coastal town in Pingtung, eating seafood is almost an instinctive response. The restaurant looks very simple, resembling a typical southern snack shop, but it has a great business; during meal times, it's usually packed with people, and many seem to be local regulars, which adds to the anticipation for the flavors.

This time, I ordered some home-style dishes: fresh fish soup, braised pork rice, scallion omelet, blanched sweet potato leaves, and braised tofu in soy sauce. The whole table looks simple, but these dishes truly test basic cooking skills. As soon as the fresh fish soup is served, you can smell the subtle aroma of fish. The broth is clear and sweet, without any fishy taste, and the fish is cut thick, very fresh, and delicate in texture—truly the quality you can only find by the sea.

The braised pork rice follows the sweeter style typical of the south, with a deep-colored sauce that's rich in aroma. The ratio of fat to lean meat is just right, and it pairs well with the white rice, making it easy to eat until the whole bowl is gone. The scallion omelet has a very homey flavor, slightly crispy and fragrant, with a strong egg and scallion aroma, needing no extra seasoning, making it very enjoyable.

The blanched sweet potato leaves are fresh and crisp; simply drizzled with soy sauce and sprinkled with minced garlic, they are delicious, embodying the taste of a typical southern table. The braised tofu is flavorful, and when you bite into it, the juices flow out, making it perfect to eat with rice.

Ah Qiu's fresh fish soup isn't served in a fancy presentation, nor is it a tourist-style restaurant, but it's this simple and authentic taste that makes dining very comfortable. If you come to Fangliao and want to enjoy a meal like the locals do, this place is truly an excellent choice.