When it comes to gourmet food on the south side of Kaohsiung Station, what comes to mind first? Dim sum, desserts, rice dishes—choosing where to start can be a challenge. There's a variety of opinions about what exactly defines Taiwanese cuisine, but one thing is certain: meat and seafood are its main components.
In this article, we’ll introduce three highly recommended gourmet spots near the south side of Kaohsiung Station, with a special focus on seafood.
1. Hong Mao Gang Seafood Restaurant
First on the list is the popular Hong Mao Gang Seafood Restaurant (The Queen of Seafood), located on the south side of Kaohsiung Station and even featured in international travel and gourmet TV programs. The seafood, shipped directly from Penghu Island to Kaohsiung, is guaranteed fresh. But freshness isn't the only reason this restaurant is recommended.
Although the prices aren't necessarily cheaper compared to other restaurants in the area, this place offers rare gourmet experiences that are hard to come by elsewhere.
For example, how about trying fan lobster (flathead lobster)? This large prawn, only found in the waters near Taiwan and the Philippines, offers a springy texture reminiscent of spiny lobster, even when eaten as sashimi. Another rare treat is mullet gizzard. Locals love the fried small oysters, which are reasonably priced and exceptionally tasty. Glutinous rice dishes are also highly recommended—such as crab sticky rice rich in crab miso, or scallop sticky rice generously topped with dried scallops.
Name: Hong Mao Gang Seafood Restaurant
Address: No. 214, Sanduo 3rd Road, Kaohsiung City
Official/Related Website: http://seafoodnet.com.tw/
2. Haiwei Penghu Affordable Live Seafood
When it comes to seafood in Kaohsiung, Qijin, accessible by ferry from Xiziwan, is well known. Restaurants there typically follow the same system—choose your seafood at the entrance and specify how it should be cooked. However, getting to Qijin can be a bit of a hassle.
That's where Haiwei Penghu Affordable Live Seafood, located in the gourmet district south of Kaohsiung Station, comes in.
Ordering here follows the same system as in Qijin: pick your ingredients from the showcase, then say something like “steam” or “soup.” You can also write down Chinese characters like 「蒸」(steam), 「炒」(stir-fry), or 「焼」(grill) to communicate.
A dish that delights foodies is the Sea Urchin Fried Rice (雲丹炒飯) for 200 NTD—a rare food! When ordering, write “海膽炒飯.” It’s about a 10-minute walk from Formosa Boulevard Station, where the Red and Orange MRT lines intersect. The area around Formosa Boulevard is full of gourmet spots.
Name: Haiwei Penghu Affordable Live Seafood
Address: No. 214, Minsheng 1st Road, Xinxing District, Kaohsiung City
Official/Related Website: http://www.fonfood.com/store/982945
3. Tripod King Spicy Hotpot (Ding Wang Mala Hotpot)
The third recommendation is Tripod King Spicy Hotpot (Ding Wang Mala Hotpot). This chain operates across Taiwan and has a branch south of Kaohsiung Station (address below is for the Qixian Branch).
“Mala Hotpot” is essentially a type of Chinese-style hotpot, a must-try for many visiting the region. The menu includes translations and pictures.
There are two basic soup options - Mala Hotpot: which contains regular tofu and spicy red tofu made from duck blood—flavorful and spicy and the Northeastern Sauerkraut Hotpot which is a lighter option with pork belly and pickled Chinese cabbage, initially unfamiliar but known to be addictively tasty.
You can also try the Yin-Yang Hotpot (鴛鴦鍋) to enjoy both soup bases.
The base fee covers the soup, and you order your favorite ingredients separately. For seafood lovers, especially the fish dumplings (tsumire), are highly recommended as they enrich the soup with deep umami flavor.
Located just a short walk from Liuhe Night Market and 5 minutes from the intersection outside Formosa Boulevard Station (Red and Orange MRT lines).
Name: Tripod King Spicy Hotpot (Kaohsiung Qixian Branch)
Address: No. 16, Qixian 2nd Road, Kaohsiung City
Official/Related Website: https://www.tripodking.com.tw/html/store/show.aspx?num=8&kind=1&page=1
◎ Summary
Kaohsiung is a coastal port city, so it's no surprise that seafood cuisine is highly developed here. As mentioned earlier, Qijin is a well-known area for seafood restaurants, but unless you're looking for a nostalgic ferry ride experience, the time and effort to access the area may not be ideal. While Qijin can be cheaper than the south side of Kaohsiung Station, once you include transportation costs, the total expenses aren't significantly different.