YiJia Bakery Introduction
Transforming his father's eye clinic into a bread experimental space, Youjia Bakery is located across from Chiayi City Museum, in a white bread house. The baker's name is Yijia, and since the location is close to Chiayi Station, the store's name is a homophone for "Yijia Bakery." The three-story house was originally his father's ophthalmology clinic, and later he reclaimed it to start his own business, bringing back the baking skills he learned in Taipei. He worked at the famous bakery LE GOUT for 5 years, coinciding with Master Wu Pao-Chun's era of recognition in world competitions, whose exemplary style greatly inspired Yijia. After returning home to open the store, he decided to apply the theories he learned and combine European-style breads with Japanese baking, developing distinctive breads that are true to the food's natural flavor and filled with strength. Yijia's journey as a baker has been smooth, with many benefactors along the way. The most unforgettable mentor, Teacher Yeh, sent him a complete handwritten manual before passing away, a story reminiscent of a martial arts novel's master passing down unparalleled skills. Tasting the signature squid ink bagel while listening to this story feels like receiving abundant energy from natural yeast, with the bread's texture full of vitality. Image source: Chiayi City Government Tourism News Department | Photography: Margo
