The stinky tofu at Bridgehead is fried in three different temperatures of oil, resulting in a crispy exterior and tender interior. It is paired with Taiwanese pickled vegetables, sour shredded radish, and basil, creating a unique flavor. The cold dressed stinky tofu comes in various flavors and is suitable for takeout.
The dining environment is average, and you need to take a number card to place your order. It is suitable for takeout to enjoy at the park.
The service process is automated, and you need to take a number and order yourself, which is very efficient. The shop is friendly, with no service charge.
This trip to Hualien and Taitung was for the All the Way East concert and the Taitung Slow Food Festival, but everything was ruined by the typhoon. We had already booked the accommodation and rented a car, so we decided to go on the trip anyway.
Each time we passed by Yuli, my travel companions only knew about Yuli noodles, but I wasn't really attracted to noodles. This time, I finally found the Yuli Bridge’s stinky tofu!
Upon entering, you first take a number, then when your number is called, you go to the counter to order and pay. Usually, your order is ready by the time your number is called, so once you order, you take your stinky tofu and find a seat yourself.
The most special thing about Yuli Bridge’s stinky tofu is that they use three different temperature oil pots. Each pot fries the tofu in sequence, resulting in a crispy exterior and tender interior.
Of course, the stinky tofu at the bridge is not only well-fried; many stinky tofus are fried quite nicely 👍, but they also have the essential side: pickles.
In addition to the common Taiwanese pickles, Yuli Bridge’s pickles include sour shredded radish and the highlight ingredient, Thai basil! Taking a bite gives a blend of various aromas and textures, and I fell in love with it at first taste! 😍
Besides the regular fried stinky tofu, I also ordered a cold stinky tofu that I hadn’t tried before. There are classic original flavor, mouthwatering garlic, and zesty sour and spicy options. Of course, I chose the limited mouthwatering garlic, and it tasted completely different and is perfect for slightly warm weather; it's very refreshing!
The cold stinky tofu uses steamed stinky tofu that is vacuum-sealed in pickles, and when you want to eat it, you add a little package of sauce (I forgot if it was minced garlic) and some chopped Thai basil, which makes it very suitable for takeout. They even sell insulated bags on-site.
Finally, I bought a pack of stinky tofu chocolate snacks, and when I opened it, it was incredibly fragrant and definitely stinky. The first bite tasted like stinky tofu, but then the taste shifted to chocolate!
Conclusion: It has already made it to my top 3 stinky tofu list! 👍
Fried stinky tofu large (5 pieces) NT$100
Fried stinky tofu small (3 pieces) NT$60
Cold stinky tofu NT$100
Stinky tofu chocolate snack NT$140
Additionally, there are drinks like soy milk and black tea available.
❤️ The number one stinky tofu in my heart, but the crowds on weekends are really overwhelming. It really makes people hesitate to approach.
Each post will have actual dining photos, even if just a drink, to prevent some users from pretending to dine by posting without food pictures.
Overall evaluation: 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌕
📍 Located on Minquan Street in Yuli Township, Hualien, across from the Black Bear Education Center, there are plenty of dining spots available, and restrooms are provided.
🚗 You can park in the parking lot across from Yuli Bridge Ice or in the central parking lot on Minquan Street, and there are no fees.
🏍️ Most scooters are parked next to the store across the street on Park Road.
💬 The stinky tofu at Qiaotou is truly the best I've ever had, with radish shreds, kimchi, and basil, plus its crispy texture is number one.
However, due to the hot weather in the east, the shop does not have air conditioning, and you may encounter a local specialty—flies—making the dining environment a bit ordinary; takeout is also an option to eat in the park across the street.
I don't really recommend coming on weekends because the crowd can really make you wait for several hours, but there's no need to queue on weekdays, and they start issuing number tags half an hour before opening.
If it's your first time visiting, especially on a weekday, you will definitely have a hard time finding the store because the stinky tofu shop is so low-key that it has no sign at all...
Food quality: 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌕
Service quality: 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌑
Restaurant ambiance: 🌕🌕🌗🌑🌑
Value for money: 🌕🌕🌕🌗🌑
📍 No. 15, Minquan Street, Yuli Township, Hualien County
☎️ 038882545
⏰ 11:00–19:00
💰 No service charge
🚇 Public transport in Hualien is quite inconvenient, and there's no metro station; most people arrive by scooter or car.
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