Another dish that I have heard so much about and finally getting to eat it!
The dinner tonight is an authenticate aborigine affair! 😛 We were being rushed to move off from our fire flies sighting activity so as to be in time for dinner.
The restaurant that we travelled 40min to.
It was dark and a short walk to reach the entrance of the restaurant. The staff were having their dinner when we arrived.
Part of the interior
Another view of the interior
One section of the interior with the live size boards of the very handsome Boss and his wife in traditional ya-mei tribe wedding costume.
The restaurant is adored with many precious stones – the private collection of the boss
I love the colour of this precious stone! Should be amethyst if I am not wrong.
This precious stone is in the shape of a local fish whose name I have forgotten though I have eaten it! 😛 Interesting fish with no tail and full of collagen.
Since it is an aborigine restaurant, there are bound to be models of wild animals inside. These are usually trophies from their hunting trips!
Close up of the wild boar – First time I come so close to one!
The tools used for hunting
More prized collection
Can someone tell me what is this?
OKies, back to the food. We have already decided on the grilled fish while on the way here. As it needs 40min to grill the fish, we placed an order with the boss to prepare it first in order to cut the waiting time. We were shown the above menu 五福風味餐 but since the guide friend knows him, we pretty much left it to them to decide the Set meal (NT2000 + 10%, ~SGD$96.50) that five of us (inclusive of the guide) would have as some of the items have sold out.
We started off our meal with the home made rice wine 小米酒 (not included in the set meal). Very nice, sweet and smooth but a little costly as we learnt after getting the bill. Each bottle cost NT450 (!) and we had 3 bottles!
The bucket of rice provided
My bowl of 黃金小米飯. Very interesting rice as there were yellow bits in it.
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The first dish that came – Wild Pig Skin Salad 凉拌山猪皮
Close up of the pig skin.
The skin is so translucent and does not look and taste like pig skin. Felt more like jellyfish instead! How did the boss manage to cook it till it is so crunchy? I was a little scare at first when I heard pig skin but upon tasting this, all of us could not stop! Great combination with the peanuts on top too!
Stir fry Bamboo shoots with Preserved Meat 半天笋炒腊肉
Very savoury dish with nary of the typical bamboo shoots taste/smell we get in Singapore! This is a very special type of bamboo shoots I was told.
Close up of the preserved meat in the dish. Yums
Salted Pork 咸猪肉 – Look at how the meat is still pink and the fats are soooo translucent!
Close up of the meat.
Although I am not a big fan of pork belly, this is one dish that I would not mind eating as it does not taste greasy and everything just seems to melt in your mouth!
Next up, the star of this meal – Ya-Mei Tribe Original Grill Fish 雅美族原味烤鱼
The fish is covered with salt and grill to perfection!
Look at how the juice of the fish meat is locked in with this grilling method! Thumbs up! And did I mention that it melts in the mouth too?? Never had fish that literally melts in the mouth but this does! Must-try when you are here. Although it is wrapped in salt, it is not salty at all as you do not eat the skin, just eat the tender, juicy meat!
After the fish, most of dishes were “just eat” for me.. HAHAH..
The pot of vegetables with wild boar meat.
Close up of the Vegetables.
Naturally sweet and enhanced with the red dates in it.
Bowl of soup with Seasonal Wild Vegetable 时令野菜 that is very good for healthy. The soup is very flavoursome as it has been boiled with a local fish called wa yu. The fish was then discarded and seasonal vegetables like fresh lilies, mushrooms and pumpkin are added.
Plate of white bait that goes very well with the wine!
We added on this dish after seeing it ordered by the Japanese at the next table.
Ya-Mei Tribe Hot Stone Prawns 雅美石燒蝦, NT540
Another dish cooked in the traditional method and I only got to eat one prawn! 🙁 Next time gonna be faster! LOL…Worth a try if you are there though I feel it is a little ex.
Rounding off the meal with Seasonal Fruits 四季水果.
We were given watermelon and sweet potatoes and they were really good to round off the meal.
Our receipt for the meal.
The price of the 3 bottles of rice wine is almost 60% of our set meal! Given the quality of the food, the price for the set meal is considered pretty reasonable for the cooking method and freshness of the food. Just drink in moderation 😛 A bonus would be eye candy for the ladies as the boss is really handsome! hah.
For more pictures of the restaurant, you can refer to this blog which has a good write-up in chinese and shows the exterior of the restaurant in daylight.
