The Delicious Journey of 391 Food Department
“391 Food Department” is undoubtedly the most unique presence in the Jiagan Tribe: it is open from evening to the middle of night, prohibits alcohol consumption, and, despite being located in the mountains, its menu mainly features fresh seafood. This local shop introduction will reveal the secrets behind this youth-founded specialty dining establishment.
“The Pressure and Achievements of the Frying Station: A 10-Year Culinary Journey”
After retiring from the military, Zhengxiang, the head of 391, returned to his hometown and urgently looked for a job. After several unsuccessful interviews, he saw a job advertisement for the popular seafood restaurant “055 Lobster Seafood” on the East Coast of Hualien. Despite having no experience in catering, he still applied because he didn’t want to remain idle for too long.
He started in the front of the house, and two months later, when a kitchen staff member left, he transitioned into the kitchen, beginning his 10-year culinary career.
He mentioned that working in the kitchen requires high stress tolerance. The kitchen is scorching hot without air conditioning in the summer, and the pace is fast and rigorous. Many people quit before they cannot get used to it. “055” is a large restaurant with clear work distribution; there are at least ten people in the back of the house. Everyone has specific roles: preparing ingredients, making soups, cutting fish, steaming, frying, and operating the frying station. Working at the frying station is the highest symbol of expertise in the kitchen, signifying mastery of all cooking skills and professionalism. He laughed, recalling how nervous he was when he first took the frying station, having his dishes tasted by the boss and other seniors before being deemed qualified.
After honing his culinary skills for 10 years, Zhengxiang said that everyone’s taste preferences are different, and chefs’ methods vary. So, finding a balance that satisfies most customers while representing the restaurant’s signature flavor is challenging. He quickly learned things and then gained a sense of accomplishment, overcoming various pressures and eventually took the frying station. “However, sometimes I still cut my fingers when things get busy,” he chuckled.
During the Chinese New Year in 2024, the tribe held a market, and since it was near his house, he decided to prepare a couple of dishes to sell. To his surprise, the response was overwhelming, and the food sold out quickly. His wife suggested opening a restaurant at home, considering he only rested on holidays.
Thus, the couple personally built this small tribal restaurant. Zhengxiang, who doesn’t like noise, believes many people in the tribe also enjoy quiet dining. The environment is designed like a tree hollow; after turning into the bustling tribal avenue, you are greeted by a large wall decorated by green grass before entering the restaurant, then frying station, and lastly taking a turn into a proud and cozy space.
Zhengxiang pays great attention to details. For example, the low wall is covered with neatly placed blackboard stickers. Initially, his wife was the one to stick them onto the wall. However, when Zhengxiang saw the gaps between each sticker, he redid it, causing some tension. They soon found a working rhythm, with his wife managing social media and external marketing and Zhengxiang handling all internal affairs.
“The Unique Style of the Tribal Restaurant: No Alcohol, Night Snacks, but Seafood Delights”
This unique tribal restaurant has several special rules and styles: no alcohol; open hours are from dinner to late night; and a menu focusing on seafood. Initially, alcohol was actually allowed, but after some customers drank excessively, they banned alcohol to maintain a quiet space. After this, some tribespeople would secretly bring alcohol in, putting it in eco-friendly cups. However, as long as it doesn’t disturb others, it’s still tolerable.
To match his and his wife’s work schedules, open hours are still mostly from evening to late night. Every week, he updates the business hours on Google. He said that late-night food options are limited in rural areas, so creating a comfortable place to relax and eat is their wish.
