Sakura Leaf Cafe Introduction
Chueh, who was born in Tainan, had the opportunity to meet Yvonne, the owner of Sakura Leaf, and decided to resign from her original job to become the manager of Sakura Leaf located on Lane 366, Zhongshan Road, Chiayi City. Although Chueh did not come from a culinary background, her passion for cooking and interest in developing new dishes led her on a journey to source delicious ingredients based on the philosophy of "insisting on using local ingredients from Chiayi." She searched for fresh and tasty oysters in Dongshi, hunted for rich honey in traditional markets, and tasted fragrant sesame oil in oil factories. This hard work did not end when she returned to the restaurant; she spent a lot of time studying recipe books, watching cooking shows for any inspiration, and brainstorming how to incorporate these delicious elements into innovative local dishes. As a result of this ongoing struggle and dedication to recipes, a series of unique and creative dishes made their way to the table, including duck savory pie, Dongshi oyster sauce noodles, lamb milk soup curry, Chiayi purple sweet potato pudding, and mousse latte, each carrying Chueh's thoughtful creativity and her affection for the local community. In the restaurant's courtyard, a cherry blossom tree quietly grows, a variety that is typically hard to thrive in flatlands, yet it has steadfastly stood guard at the restaurant's entrance since the opening over a year ago. The restaurant itself is an old house that has been standing for over 50 years. During the Japanese occupation, Zhongshan Road in Chiayi City was a bustling area for Japanese merchants and successful Taiwanese businesspeople. Upon ascending to the second floor of Sakura Leaf, one can see tatami mats extending from the floor, covering the entire level. The strong Japanese sentiment extends to the Japanese paper sliding doors on the balcony, the awning outside, and the cherry blossom tree in the courtyard, creating a beautiful retro scene. Chueh, dedicated to the spirit of original flavor cooking, along with the friendly and warm staff member Chu Chu, continues to offer the most sincere cuisine in the little alley, embodying the enthusiasm of cherry blossoms.
