Hualien Marlin Fish Cake is a Taiwanese deep-fried fish-paste snack made from ground marlin. Hualien Harbor lands marlin species such as swordfish and striped marlin that local vendors use as raw material, and stalls along Zhongzheng and Zhongshan roads sell it freshly fried — a popular street bite for visitors passing through downtown Hualien.
The marlin fish-paste fish cake style traces back to a recipe improved in 1998 by Hong Rui-ji at Donggang's Overseas Chinese Market in Pingtung, which then spread into local versions across Taiwan. Hualien Fishing Harbor, a class-2 fishing port managed by the Hualien Fishermen's Association, records an annual catch of roughly 100 tonnes, with marlin among the species landed there — a possible source of raw fish paste for local vendors.
What is Hualien Marlin Fish Cake
Fish cake (tianbuaila) is a fish-paste product introduced to Taiwan during the Japanese colonial period; the defining difference in the Hualien version is that local marlin is used as the raw material. Marlin paste is low in natural fat and high in protein; when ground into fish paste it has a springy-sweet texture that requires minimal added seasoning. At frying time, the pieces go into a medium-temperature oil wok until golden — slightly crisp on the outside, soft inside. Dipping sauce options are varied: plain salty-sweet sauce, curry sauce, or sweet chili sauce are all available. Long-time Hualien locals generally prefer the plain sauce.
Hualien Port is the largest fishing harbor in eastern Taiwan, with a stable annual catch of marlin (swordfish and sailfish), and a local fish paste processing industry with over 50 years of history. Most fish cake stalls along Zhongzheng Road are run by families of veteran craftspeople, some already into the third generation; marlin fish cake is not just a snack — it is a culinary reflection of the fishing industry's prosperity at Hualien Port. Hualien City tourism guides and local food records both list marlin fish cake as one of the must-try snacks when visiting Hualien.
How to eat it the authentic way
Local know-how
Verified endorsements
- Hualien Port is the largest fishing harbor in eastern Taiwan, with a stable annual marlin catch and a local fish paste processing industry with over 50 years on record.
- Hualien City tourism guides list marlin fish cake as a representative street snack, documented in Hualien County Government tourism promotional materials.
- Fish cake stalls on Zhongzheng Road commonly have 20 to 30 or more years of history; some are second or third-generation family operations.
Practical tips
- Stalls are cash only; amounts are small, so having change on hand makes things easier.
- Marlin supply is affected by weather and fishing conditions. During typhoons or poor sea conditions, stalls may stop selling or switch to another fish species — ask before ordering.
- Hualien Night Market and Zhongzheng Road are not far apart; you can plan a combined route. However, fish cakes at the night market may not necessarily use marlin — confirm the raw material before buying.
Data source: Hualien City tourism guides, compiled from local food enthusiast records. Photos will be replaced after Dio's on-site shoot.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is marlin fish cake exclusive to Hualien?
No, the marlin fish-paste style traces back to Donggang in Pingtung; Hualien vendors make their own version using locally caught marlin.
What fish species are typically used?
Swordfish and striped marlin are commonly ground into paste, giving the fish cake its firm, springy texture.
Where can I find it in Hualien?
Stalls along Zhongzheng Road and Zhongshan Road in Hualien City sell freshly fried marlin fish cake.
Sources
- 花蓮漁港 - 維基百科 — 花蓮漁港管理單位、類別、年漁獲量
- 台日韓庶民小吃大車拼：關東煮、黑輪、甜不辣、魚板有什麼不同？ — 旗魚黑輪起源背景，屏東東港1998年洪瑞吉改良配方