De Yu Fish Ball Introduction
In 1953, a young couple, Hong Bing-jian and Hong Hsu-feng, opened their first store on the left side of Fuyou Temple (Mazu Temple). Every morning at five o'clock, the small shop would be crowded with shoppers. Fresh fish caught from Tamsui Fishing Port were skillfully prepared by the master chefs, who removed excess gills and scales. Each type of fresh fish product was paired with a unique recipe, such as spinach fish balls and nutrient-rich fish flakes added with DHA and calcium. De Yu's fish paste products became very popular and were even the designated ingredient for the old Tamsui A-gei restaurant. In 1963, the Hong family took over the famous landmark "Red Castle" in Tamsui. Amidst the rampant development by the corporation, the Hong family decided to preserve the historical value of the "Red Castle." In 1999, they restored it to its original appearance, allowing the "Red Castle," built in the late 19th century and spanning three centuries, to continue standing on the hillside at the ferry pier as a witness to Tamsui's development. When visiting De Yu, in addition to purchasing fish balls and fish flakes, don't forget to walk up the stairs in the alley beside the store to enjoy the beautiful red brick architecture and appreciate the dedication of this old store rooted in Tamsui.
