It's located in Zhejiang, but it tastes like Taiwan

Ye Junwei opens a restaurant featuring Taiwan cuisine in Zhoushan, Zhejiang province. [Photo provided to China Daily]

If you're visiting Zhoushan, Zhejiang province, for the first time, you might be surprised to discover an authentic Taiwan restaurant tucked away in a village.

The small yet popular restaurant — Tai Ba Wang — offers a taste of the island, with dishes like its signature braised pork rice. Inside, the decor reflects its origins: Posters introduce Taiwan cuisine, and the tables are named after cities, including Taipei, Hualien, and Kaohsiung.

The establishment is the work of Ye Junwei, an entrepreneur from Taiwan who has roots in Zhoushan.

"I come from Taiwan, but my father originally came from Zhoushan," Ye said. For him, the restaurant is more than a business. It's a way to connect with his heritage and share the essence of Taiwan culture with others.

Ye hails from Taiwan's New Taipei City, but his ancestral home is Zhoushan. The cross-strait family connection stems from his father's forced separation from his hometown more than 50 years ago. In 1993, Ye visited Zhoushan for the first time and was overwhelmed by the sense of familiarity and warmth. "I felt the connection my father used to describe about his hometown. It was profoundly moving," he said.