Beimen Wukang Bridge Roasted Sweet Potato Introduction
Tu Zhushan (born in 1947), a native of Ouliao, has worked various jobs in fish ponds and has experience in salt farming. After the salt fields stopped operating, he learned the skill of baking sweet potatoes from his older brother, Tu Zhuqing (born in 1943), in Fengshan, Kaohsiung. Once he mastered the technique, his brother gifted him an oven. Tu Zhushan initially sold his baked sweet potatoes in front of Yong'an Temple in Ouliao, but later decided to expand his sales, riding his "li zi ka" (a small vehicle) to Xuejiah in the morning and then to the site of Wuwang Bridge in the afternoon. As he got older, he stopped going to Xuejiah Market and settled at the northern end of Wuwang Bridge for sales. He has lunch at 10 AM and heads to the market afterward. When at home, Tu Zhushan will bake a batch of sweet potatoes first, and upon arriving at the market, he bakes one or two more while selling. He closes up shop and heads home after selling out, which can be as late as 2 or 3 PM. His operating hours are unpredictable; he doesn’t sell on rainy days, when the sweet potatoes are of poor quality, or if he has other commitments. To enjoy Tu Zhushan's baked sweet potatoes, you truly need to rely on chance. His "li zi ka" stands alone at the Wuwang Bridge, without any shelter. It can be very hot during the summer and very cold in the winter, but Tu Zhushan does not complain. As long as conditions permit, he will sell under the scorching sun or the chilling breeze, hoping to serve his loyal customers...
