Taipei Seafood Feast – Hi-Lai Harbour (漢來海港)vs AAD Seafood Market (上引水產)

Affordable 4-hour Eating Experience

Hi-Lai Harbour, part of the Hi-Lai Foods group, has seven branches across Taiwan, and this review focuses on the Dunhua location. It offers lunch, afternoon tea, and dinner services. On weekday evenings, the adult price is TWD 1,080 (approximately HKD 270), while on weekends, it rises to about HKD 295, plus a service charge. The pricing is very reasonable, and diners can enjoy a marathon meal lasting up to 4 hours. Due to its high CP value, Hi-Lai Harbour has been rated as one of the hardest restaurants to book in Taiwan.

Since it is famous for seafood, the variety of sashimi is crucial. In addition to salmon, tuna, sea bream, and horse mackerel, there are also less commonly seen sashimi like vinegar-flavored crucian carp, needlefish, and swordfish, all of which are incredibly fresh. The sushi and rolls number around ten varieties. The cold dish section offers numerous seafood choices, including the unique flat crab from Penghu, sweet and refreshing shrimp, as well as mussels and areola babylon, which change seasonally. On Friday nights and weekends, oysters are also available—so seafood lovers take note!

Freshly Made Souffle Pancakes

In terms of hot dishes, there are hundreds of seafood dishes and specialty cuisines from various regions. One must-try dish is the Stewed Crab Meat with XO Sauce, featuring crab meat, scallops, and tender eggs that are fresh and flavorful. The pan-fried pomfret is equally outstanding, with a golden crispy skin and tender fish meat. Additionally, there are grilled beef, German pork knuckles, Hong Kong-style roasted meats, dim sum, Japanese fried items, and freshly baked artisan pizzas, all worth trying.

Make sure to save room for dessert, as desserts are also a highlight of the restaurant. The selection is extensive and intricately prepared. The freshly made souffle pancakes are particularly popular, and the rich cheesecake is a delightful surprise. The Portuguese tart has a crispy outer layer and a smooth interior, and there are about 10 flavors of ice cream available, along with options to create your own shaved ice with various toppings.

Hi-Lai Harbour (Dunhua Branch)

Address: 6F, No. 246, Section 1, Dunhua South Road, Da'an District, Taipei City

Telephone:07-412-8068,1

Opening Hours: 11:30am-2pm, 2:30pm-4:30pm, 5:30pm-9:30pm

Transportation: Take Taipei MRT Blue Line - Bannan Line and exit at Zhongxiao Dunhua Station. Walk to Exit 12 of Zhongxiao Underground Street until arrive SOGO Department Store Dunhua Branch.

Little Tsukiji of Taipei: Choose Fresh Seafood 

When it comes to eat seafood in Taipei, one cannot overlook  AAD Seafood Market, known as "Little Tsukiji of Taipei". Located in the Zhongshan District, it's about a 15-minute walk from the Xingtian Temple MRT Station, or you can take a bus.

AAD Seafood Market transforms the traditional fish market into a space that combines seafood, a supermarket, and specialty dining—making it a must-visit for seafood lovers. Upon entering, you’ll first come to the live seafood area, where dozens of tanks hold lobsters, red king crabs, abalone, oysters, and other live seafood from around the world, along with cooking services available. Next is the supermarket section, where neatly arranged sashimi and sushi are dazzling the eyes, and there are also ready-to-eat options available.

The standing sushi area is the most popular spot, offering set menus and a la carte options. In addition to sushi, they also serve sashimi, hand rolls, and grilled items. Premium ingredients like sea urchin, toro, and A5 Wagyu beef can be sampled here. They are fresh and delicious, and the price is reasonable, making it no surprise that it’s so popular. The standing area also features seafood platters that include lobster, oyster, shrimp and crab.

However, if you're dining with a large group or bringing children, sitting down for a comfortable meal is a better choice. Here, you can enjoy seafood hot pot, outdoor charcoal-grilled, and the Tresors de la mer restaurant. The Tresors de la mer restaurant has large fish tanks outside, allowing customers to select their favorite seafood on the spot. For those who prefer not to think too much, groups of six or more can opt for a set menu with various price options; the lowest starts at TWD 1,280 (approximately HKD 320) and includes oysters, sashimi, seafood dishes, stir-fried items, and hot pot. The seafood provided is fresh enough that simple cooking methods are sufficient to bring out its delicious flavors.

AAD Seafood Market

Address: No.18, Alley 2, Lane 410, Minzu E Road, Zhongshan District, Taipei

Transportation: Xingtian Temple MRT Station Exit 2 and turn left walk around 15 minutes.