Sakura Leaf Cafe & Bistro Introduction
Born in Tainan, Chueh, through a twist of fate, met Yvonne, the owner of Sakura Leaf, and decided to leave her original job to become the manager of Sakura Leaf, located in a peaceful alley at No. 366, Zhongshan Road, Chiayi City. Although Chueh does not have a background in the culinary field, her passion and interest in cooking led her to embark on a journey to develop new dishes for the restaurant, adhering to the principle of "using local ingredients from Chiayi." She traveled to Dongshi to find fresh and delicious oysters, searched traditional markets for rich honey, and tasted fragrant sesame oil at oil factories. The effort and hard work did not end upon returning to the restaurant; it was followed by countless hours spent researching recipe books and watching cooking shows for any hint of inspiration, brainstorming how to combine these delightful elements into innovative local specialties. Thus, through repeated trials and battles with recipes, a series of unique and creative dishes emerged: duck meat quiche, Dongshi oyster sauce noodles, lamb milk curry, Chiayi purple sweet potato panna cotta, and mousse latte, each dish infused with Chueh's thoughtful creativity and her affection for the local area. In the restaurant's courtyard stands a cherry blossom tree, a variety that struggles to thrive in flatland, yet it has steadfastly guarded the entrance of the restaurant for over a year since its opening. The restaurant itself is an over 50-year-old traditional house; during the Japanese colonial period, Zhongshan Road in Chiayi City was a bustling area for successful Japanese and Taiwanese merchants. Ascending to the second floor of Sakura Leaf, one is greeted by a vast expanse of tatami flooring extending from the feet, covering the entire level, and the strong Japanese atmosphere continues to the balcony's shoji screens and the rain-sheltering panels outside, harmonizing beautifully with the cherry blossom tree in the courtyard, creating a picturesque retro scene. Chueh, devoted to the spirit of authentic cuisine, along with the warm and friendly staff, continues to provide the most sincere dishes in the alley with a passion as vibrant as the cherry blossoms.
