Ming Fu Taiwanese Seafood: Legendary Hand-crafted Cuisine Hidden in Alleys (Taipei 1-Star)
A tiny shop with only six tables, yet it hides the most top-tier Buddha Jumps Over the Wall in all of Taipei. This is the hidden sanctuary passed down by word of mouth among gourmets.
TL;DR / Quick Summary
A tiny shop with only six tables, yet it hides the most top-tier Buddha Jumps Over the Wall in all of Taipei. This is the hidden sanctuary passed down by word of mouth among gourmets.
In an inconspicuous alley in Taipei's Zhongshan District, Ming Fu Taiwanese Seafood (明福台菜海產) has no luxurious decorations; even its signboard is a bit faded. But it is exactly this small shop with only six tables that has continuously won one Michelin star for many years, making countless politicians, business celebrities, and socialites willing to line up and wait.
What they sell here is the traditional, nearly lost art of hand-crafted Taiwanese cuisine (bando-style homestyle dishes).
What are the must-order signature dishes at Ming Fu?
If you come to Ming Fu and don't pre-order these two dishes, your experience will be incomplete.
- Buddha Jumps Over the Wall (一品佛跳牆): Different from the generally thickened soup base heavily laden with taro, Ming Fu opts for a "clear soup" approach. Simmered with top-tier ingredients like matsutake mushrooms, shark fin, and abalone, the broth is crystal clear yet exceptionally umami-rich, widely praised as the "Strongest Buddha Jumps Over the Wall in Taiwan."
- Abalone Glutinous Rice Chicken (鮑魚糯米雞): An entire free-range chicken has its abdomen stuffed with glutinous rice and abalone, then slowly stewed for a long time. The glutinous rice absorbs all the chicken essence and seafood flavors, resulting in a soft, porridge-like texture where every bite is the pure essence of flavor.
What is the atmosphere at Ming Fu like?
Walking into Ming Fu feels like walking into a neighbor's living room. The warm and enthusiastic greetings from the proprietress, Sister Ah Zhu (阿珠姐), and the handwritten menu taped to the wall—this strong sense of "human warmth" (renqingwei) is its most charming underlying hue shining under the Michelin starlight. This place is cash-only and has no credit card machines, demonstrating the persistence and unique personality of an old establishment.
What do actual diners say about Ming Fu?
Gourmand's Notes:
- Fried Foods: The fried mullet gizzard (炸烏魚腱 - seasonal) and fried fish gizzard here are also incredibly amazing: crispy on the outside and crunchy on the inside, making them an absolute supreme pairing with alcohol.
- Reservations: Because there are extremely few tables, it is highly recommended to book a table at least a month in advance, and be sure to pre-order the aforementioned signature big dishes right at the time of booking.
How to book a table at Ming Fu? Any tips or reminders?
- Location: No. 18-1, Lane 137, Section 2, Zhongshan N Rd, Zhongshan District, Taipei City.
- Reminder: Cash only, please prepare enough banknotes.
Want to enjoy Taiwanese cuisine in a more grandiose environment? Head to the Grand Mayfull Hotel Taipei to taste the exquisite flavors of Mipon (米香).
