Is Yuli Bridgehead Stinky Tofu Still Good Cold? My Honest Review.

There aren’t actually that many chances to make it all the way to Yuli Bridgehead in Hualien. The gap between my last trip and the one before that was already more than ten years. Not to mention Yuli itself—it’s basically at the southern end of Hualien, almost in Taitung. I can’t even remember the last time I went to Taitung. And I have a feeling that the next time I truly make it back to Hualien… who knows when that will be. At least for me, there’s no particular plan or strong impulse to go anytime soon.

So the last time I went to Hualien, I made a point of eating at Yuli Bridgehead Stinky Tofu, even though it’s not exactly close to the city center. At the time, I honestly felt like it might be my first and also my last time. I ate it with the mindset of “at least I’ve had it once—better than never having tried it at all.” The flavor really did have a style of its own. The texture and the pickled cabbage that came with it were distinctive, yet everything worked together in such a natural, harmonious way. I couldn’t help but think: how did I never imagine this kind of pairing before?

So when I later found out they had opened a branch in Taipei, I knew it meant I could taste it again. Even if the flavor wouldn’t be exactly the same, that was fine. As long as the difference wasn’t too big, it was totally acceptable. And if the price was a bit higher, that was understandable too—after all, it’s a different location. This time I ordered takeout. Driving there isn’t very convenient since parking nearby is difficult, and even stopping briefly out front feels a bit risky.

By the time I ate it, it had cooled slightly, but the texture was still there—crispy on the outside, soft on the inside. When it’s covered, the smell isn’t very obvious, but once you open the box, it immediately wafts out. Some people might find the flavor a bit on the mild side, but personally, I thought it was acceptable. It does resemble the Hualien version, though there’s probably still a slight difference. That said, it’s still good—no doubt about it.