YilanEat Recommendations

Zhenghao Fresh Pork Xiao Long Bao is a Yilan queue-up favourite, famed for thin skins, generous broth and juicy, fresh pork filling. The original Yilan main shop now has branches in Luodong, Jiaoxi and other townships; though currently take-out only, it still draws long lines of foodies every day. Each dumpling is wrapped and steamed to order, and a swipe of the house chilli sauce adds an extra kick—a must-eat snack for any Yilan trip.

Qingzhen Breakfast is a Jiaoxi institution on Sec. 4, Jiaoxi Road, founded in 1978 with more than 40 years of history. Renovated in December 2021, the spacious bright interior still keeps its hand-made dough tradition. Opening at 4:30am, the menu centres on affordable Chinese breakfast—scallion baked flatbread, xiao long bao, pan-fried pies, egg rolls, chive pockets, pan-fried dumplings, rice rolls—with most items priced between NT$5 and NT$35, plus red/black tea, milk tea, soy milk, rice milk, salty soy milk, black coffee and latte. Because it opens early and offers a wide range, peak hours often fill up. The shop is close to the Jiaoxi Township Office, Tangweigou Hot Spring Park and the Jiaoxi Water Scene Plaza, about a five-minute walk, with paid parking lots nearby for drivers. Widely rated as a 'Jiaoxi must-eat' on local blogs and travel sites, it's a breakfast stop no Yilan traveller should miss.

Xiongbao Hot Pot at No. 435, Gongyuan Road, Yilan City, sits next to Yilan Sports Park and is a teddy-bear-themed hot pot buffet. The menu offers surf-and-turf combos, A5 Japanese Wagyu and jumbo shrimp at strong value, with a self-service bar of more than 40 kinds of vegetables and noodles for unlimited eating. Minimum spend starts at NT$268 per person, making it ideal for family gatherings, and a dedicated car park next door makes parking easy. Hours are 11:30-14:30 and 17:00-21:30 on weekdays, 11:00-22:00 on weekends; advance booking is recommended to skip the wait.

Yangtao on Jiucheng North Road, Yilan City, is a popular local late-night snack shop known for angelica lamb soup and all kinds of stinky tofu. The simple storefront serves warming, nourishing lamb soup, numbing-spicy and crispy-fried stinky tofu, plus braised pork rice and other affordable dishes, opening in the afternoon and running till about 11pm. Loved by locals and travellers alike, it's an ideal spot for comforting bites on a Yilan night.

Lao Si G Tea & Coffee on Guangming Road, Dongshan Township, Yilan, blends vintage industrial style with a glass-house design, serving coffee, tea, pasta, waffles and small hot pots. Inside there's a children's play area, sand pit, slide, swings and a fish-feeding zone, making it both family-friendly and Instagram-ready, with birthday party bookings available. Hours are 11:00-18:00 Monday to Wednesday and 11:00-20:00 Friday to Sunday, with a NT$100 minimum spend per person, suitable for family, friends or colleague gatherings.

Xijiang Shuifang on Deyang Road, Jiaoxi Township, Yilan, blends tea and spirits into creative drinks and light bites, a tea-cocktail specialist built on the concept of 'meeting through tea and spirits'. The Chinese zen interior offers tea-based cocktails, dishes infused with tea, and assorted snacks, with single cups starting at NT$280 and snacks at NT$50-150, perfect for a small drink after a Jiaoxi hot spring soak or relaxed time with friends. Hours are not explicitly listed, but its location on the bustling Deyang Road draws both weekday and weekend crowds and earns high ratings on travel platforms.