If you're visiting Kenting (墾丁) and want incredibly fresh seafood, this is exactly the kind of place you're looking for. We had lunch at Ya Fa Shi Seafood Restaurant (亞發師海景餐廳), located in Houbihu Harbor (後壁湖) - a well-known spot for seafood thanks to the nearby fishing port.
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One thing to know: the restaurant is located on the second floor (二樓). Once you head upstairs, you're rewarded with great harbor views, which makes the whole experience even better. It's such a nice, relaxed setting while enjoying fresh seafood right by the water.
What We Ordered
Lots of tasty options but here is what we got!
Sashimi (生魚片)
We started with a beautiful plate of sashimi served over ice - and this was honestly one of the highlights of the meal.
It included tuna (鮪魚), marlin (旗魚), and salmon (鮭魚) - a really nice variety of textures and flavors.
The tuna was rich and meaty, the salmon was buttery and smooth, and the marlin (旗魚) -which is very popular in Taiwan - had a firmer texture with a clean, slightly sweet flavor.
Everything tasted incredibly fresh, with no fishy taste at all. This is one of those places where you don't need much soy sauce or wasabi-the quality of the fish really speaks for itself.
And the craziest part?
We got 20 slices for just 100 TWD (about $3 USD) 🤯
Steamed Clams (清蒸蛤蜊)
Simple and so good.
The clams were steamed with ginger, garlic, and scallions, and the broth that came out was incredible - light, slightly briny, and naturally sweet.
So flavorful in fact we made sure to add it in to our fish miso soup as well!
Definitely one of those dishes where you end up drinking the broth at the end.
Stir-Fried Bird's Nest Fern (炒山蘇)
This dish was SUCH a standout.
If you've never had Bird's Nest Fern (山蘇) before, it's a super popular Taiwanese vegetable - crisp, slightly chewy, and really fresh tasting.
It's stir-fried with preserved Chinese olives (甘樹子), which still have the pit inside and add a salty, slightly tangy, umami flavor that pairs perfectly with the greens. My Italian Fiancé LOVED them.
The texture + flavor combo is honestly addictive - light, refreshing, but still super flavorful.
Fish Miso Soup (魚味噌湯)
This came in a big pot and was super comforting.
It included the same fish as the sashimi - tuna (鮪魚), marlin (旗魚), and salmon (鮭魚) - which made it feel extra special.
The broth was savory and rich with miso flavor, with chunks of fresh fish and tofu throughout. It had a really nice depth without being too heavy, and the miso flavor was especially delicious - warm, umami, and super satisfying.
Perfect for balancing out the sashimi and the rest of the meal.
Pro tip: If you ordered the steamed clams (清蒸蛤蜊), add some of that broth into the soup for an extra layer of deliciousness!
Why This Spot Is Special
What makes this place stand out is really the location.
Being right by Houbihu Harbor (後壁湖), the seafood is about as fresh as it gets. You're basically eating what was just caught nearby, and you can taste it in every dish.
And since the dining area is upstairs on the second floor (二樓), so take the elevator or stairs up. Since it's on the second floor, you also get a great view while you eat - which makes it feel like a little hidden gem.
It's not fancy - it's more of a casual, local seafood spot but that's exactly part of the charm.
This was one of those meals where everything just works.
✔ Super fresh seafood
✔ Simple, clean flavors
✔ Harbor views from upstairs seating
If you're in the Kenting (墾丁) / Hengchun (恆春) area and craving seafood, this is definitely worth a stop.
Got questions or comments? Drop them below!