The restaurant offers a variety of dishes, including country-style short rib plate and crispy chicken plate, served with soup, chawanmushi, and side dishes. The ingredients are fresh, and the seasoning is moderate. The healthy red yeast rice Dongpo pork and honey pancakes are also worth trying. However, some vegetables, such as cabbage and shiitake mushrooms, may not be fully cooked.
The restaurant is located on a hillside, with an antique ambiance that evokes scenes from "Spirited Away." Both the daytime and nighttime atmospheres have their unique characteristics; at dusk, you can enjoy the sunset, and the foot bath area upstairs offers a view of the night scenery of Chiayi.
The service is average, and there are many people on holidays. It is recommended to go early to avoid queuing. The ordering process is not very convenient, as you need to place your order and pay on the first floor, which may require multiple trips up and down the stairs.
Order and pay on the first floor, and arrange seating on the second floor. After going upstairs, I was informed that ordering was done downstairs. I don't understand why we can't order and pay on the second floor or online. It was a hassle running around. That day, I had to wait in line for a foot soak and ended up not soaking because the wait was too long. The food looked like the photos, but the cabbage, mushrooms, and other items were all raw. It takes time for the iron plate to cook them, and I was almost starving while waiting.
"Environment"
Located halfway up the hill, there is a trendy foot soaking restaurant often referred to as Chiai's version of "Yubaba," from "Spirited Away." Those who have seen the movie will feel they have entered a film scene. The ambiance varies greatly from day to night, and at dusk, you can enjoy the sunset view. The first floor is the dining area, and upstairs is the foot soaking area, offering views of the Chiayi nightscape (not too glamorous though). The dining tables come in various sizes, so you don’t have to worry about dining with a group. The vintage-style decor makes dining here very comfortable.
"Meals"
📍 Country Grilled Beef Short Ribs 💰590
📍 Crispy Grilled Chicken Steak 💰490
The set includes a soup, steamed egg custard, side dish, and a grilling pan similar to Mongolian BBQ, with cabbage, bean sprouts, shiitake mushrooms, tomatoes 🍅, baby corn 🌽, and king oyster mushrooms. However, they are raw and need to be stir-fried and cooked by yourself before eating. The seasoning and doneness of the steak 🥩 and chicken 🍗 are perfectly controlled, offering a tender texture.
📍 Healthy Red Yeast Pork Belly 💰500
📍 Honey Waffles 💰170
📍 Energizing Aerobic Tomato Pot (Beef) 💰530
📍 Nagasaki Pork Bone and Century Egg Pot (Pork) 💰500
‼️ If you order a meal set, foot soaking ♨️ is only 💰170 (normally 270). The foot soaking session lasts an hour, and they provide plain water and herbal packs.
"Parking"
There is a private parking lot 🅿️, but on holidays, it's often crowded, and sometimes you need to wait in line. If you want to avoid waiting, it's advisable to arrive early (around 5 to ensure parking availability).
"Service"
Nothing notable.
"Payment Methods"
Cash 💰 and credit card 💳.
Revered as the Taiwanese version of the bathhouse from "Spirited Away," this scenic restaurant
🌟 If you want to enjoy the view or soak your feet, it's best to come after 4 PM.
🌟 Seating is arranged, and you can inquire if the Qingfeng Pavilion is available.
Introduction
The "Qingfeng Taoyue Scenic Restaurant" is located at the highest point of Renyi Pond in Chiayi, featuring a thousand-ping garden landscape, a conveniently large parking area, a three-story scenic restaurant, and a wellness foot soak view. The architectural design has a vintage charm, surrounded by lush greenery and adorned with large red lanterns, creating a dreamy atmosphere after nightfall, reminiscent of the bathhouse in Studio Ghibli's "Spirited Away." You can stroll around after you finish eating, and there are swings outdoors.
If you're looking to soak your feet or dine, remember to go to the first-floor counter to make a reservation. The minimum order is 150 NT per person, and reservations are not accepted for dining on holidays. Foot soaks operate on a first-come, first-served basis, regardless of weekdays or weekends.
The building consists of two pavilions, each three stories tall.
The "Taoyue Pavilion" has dining spaces on the first and second floors, while the third floor offers the best views for foot soaks overlooking Renyi Pond.
The "Qingfeng Pavilion" features floor-to-ceiling windows for a great view of Renyi Pond (this one is the more beautiful new building).
On weekdays, dining is prioritized in the Taoyue Pavilion.
The scenic wellness foot soak villa costs 💰270, while dining costs 💰170.
The pure foot soak package includes a limited drink, dessert, a foot soak herbal pack, and a paper towel.
Couple’s VILLA foot soak area (outdoors with no air conditioning)
The elegant tent design provides a secluded space feel that is not disturbed easily. The carefully crafted wooden seats and foot soak tubs are well-equipped and comfortable. Once you sit down, the view directly ahead showcases the stunning scenery of Renyi Pond, with picturesque lakes and mountains fully visible. During sunset, you can soak your feet while enjoying the beautiful view, making it a truly relaxing experience.
Dishes
Qingfeng Taoyue Scenic Restaurant specializes in various hearty hot pots, vegetarian pots, family-recipe fragrant pots, herbal gourmet clay pots, Japanese grilled dishes, and sukiyaki sets. Each set includes rice, drinks, dessert, and natural enzymes, priced between 450-800 NT.
Food Items
Good Persimmon Freeze 💰120
Selected persimmons from Banru Township in Chiayi County, frozen persimmon cakes filled with creamy fresh milk ice cream that surprisingly pair well together.
Chocolate Ice Cream Pancake 💰200
Available with honey, chocolate, or caramel, the pancake is unexpectedly tasty, especially considering low expectations for a scenic restaurant.
Heavy Milk Tea 💰170
Thoughts: I visited before on a weekday with fewer crowds, enjoyed the view from the Qingfeng Pavilion, and the hot pot was pretty good. This time, I went to the Taoyue Pavilion, and the view was average. I didn’t soak my feet either visit; it was just too hot since it’s outdoors. If you want to enjoy the scenery, I suggest coming after 4 PM. Taiwan is too hot now; arriving too early means only enjoying the reservoir.
If you prioritize food: I recommend the hot pot; the pancakes are decent.
If you prioritize ambiance: The scenic restaurant has vintage charm and cool air conditioning, while foot soaks outdoors have no air conditioning.
If you prioritize parking: There are spaces for motorcycles and cars.
If you prioritize restrooms: They are clean and spacious.
If you prioritize waiting: You can make reservations on weekdays; it's first come, first served on weekends.
If you prioritize service: It's average.
If you focus on cost-performance ratio: 🌟🌟🌟
(This is strictly about food quality and price)