Sakura Leaf Café and Light Meals Introduction
Born in Tainan, Chueh encountered Yvonne, the owner of Sakura Leaf, through a series of fortunate events. She resigned from her original job and became the manager of Sakura Leaf, located in a tranquil alley at No. 366, Zhongshan Road, Chiayi City. Although Chueh did not have a background in the food and beverage industry, her passion and interest in cooking drove her to innovate new dishes in the restaurant, adhering to the principle of "using locally sourced ingredients from Chiayi." This marked the beginning of her journey to seek out delicious ingredients. She explored Dongshi for fresh and sweet oysters, searched traditional markets for rich honey, and sampled fragrant sesame oil at oil mills. The hard work did not end when she returned to the restaurant; it was followed by hours spent researching cookbooks and watching cooking shows for inspiration, as she brainstormed ways to combine these delightful elements into innovative local specialties. As a result, a series of creative and unique dishes graced the tables: duck savory pie, Dongshi oyster sauce noodles, lamb milk soup curry, Chiayi purple sweet potato pudding, and mousse latte, each dish a testament to Chueh's thoughtful creativity and her affection for the local area. In the restaurant's courtyard stands a cherry blossom tree, a variety that is difficult to thrive in flatlands, yet it has stood unwaveringly at the entrance since the restaurant opened over a year ago. The building itself is an old house that has been around for more than 50 years. During the Japanese colonial period, Zhongshan Road in Chiayi City was a bustling place for successful business dealings between the Japanese and Taiwanese. Upon stepping onto the second floor of Sakura Leaf, one can see tatami mats extending across the entire floor, creating a strong Japanese ambiance that continues onto the balcony with its shoji screens and the courtyard's cherry blossom tree, forming a beautiful vintage scene. Dedicated to the spirit of authentic cuisine, Chueh and the friendly staff, Chu Chu, continue to provide heartfelt dishes in the alley, radiating warmth akin to the vibrant cherry blossoms.
