Many tourists come to eat stinky tofu, which is very smelly; you can smell it from a distance while riding by. I heard there are long lines on holidays, but when I went on a weekday afternoon, it wasn’t too crowded, so I didn't have to wait in line.

You take a number to order, and they will call your number for ordering and paying. In the dining area, you can find your own seat. There’s no air conditioning; it's semi-ventilated, but it’s still quite cool when there’s a breeze.

This time, I tried the crispy fried stinky tofu. The outer skin is crunchy, and the inside is a bit soft, but since I prefer everything soft, I thought it was okay. However, I was a bit disappointed with the kimchi; it didn’t have much flavor and was missing something. My sister, who had it before, also said the kimchi lacked flavor this time.

What’s special is there’s also Thai basil and shredded radish, but after trying them, I wouldn't feel the need to have them again. There's also cold stinky tofu, which is very unique, but I didn’t try it this time; I'll give it a shot next time if I get the chance.

The seating area is outdoors / there are a lot of flies
Parking on the roadside
Must-try in Hualien (stinky tofu?)
Lots of YouTube recommendations
Came on a weekday during summer vacation; there were so many people, waited half an hour
Ordered a large portion for $100
The shredded radish was very generous; crispy on the outside and soft on the inside
The sauce is more watery; personally, I prefer a thicker one
I think it doesn't smell that bad and tastes pretty good
*Remember to inform when ordering vegetarian!

#Vegetarian

Located on Heping Road in Hualien, "Yuli Bridge Stinky Tofu" is a somewhat well-known shop in the area, and it seems that almost every tourist visiting Hualien has heard of this place. I happened to walk by this time, saw that there wasn't much of a line, so I decided to buy a portion to try.

The outer skin of the stinky tofu is quite crispy when fried, giving it a crunchy sensation like a biscuit when bitten into, while the inside remains soft and tender—it’s fried quite well. The accompanying pickled vegetables and shredded radish are generous in quantity, providing a refreshing and appetizing flavor that significantly reduces the overall greasiness. However, the stinky tofu's odor is rather mild, lacking the classic strong flavor that gives a strong impact; for me, it can only be described as "mediocre," with nothing particularly outstanding about it. Interestingly, it seems there's something fermenting in the fridge beside the shop, as you can smell a stinky odor from outside, indicating that they are using real ingredients.

The shop's chili has quite a reputation; it’s said to be made with bird’s eye chili and ghost pepper, touted as very spicy. I was looking forward to it and added a whole bunch, but found it to be only okay—the spiciness didn’t make me break a sweat, but the heat gradually builds up, which was quite nice. However, if you are a chili enthusiast, you may need to add a few more spoonfuls to feel satisfied.

Overall, "Yuli Bridge Stinky Tofu" is a shop with stable performance, but it doesn't have any particularly standout features. If you happen to pass by or if there isn’t much of a line, it’s a nice option for a snack, but if you have to wait a long time, I don’t think it would be worth it.