Qigu Zhuang Ji Charcoal Roasted Sweet Potato. Zhuang Yong-Zhen (born 1961), a native of Kaohsiung, joined the charcoal-roasted sweet potato business at the invitation of a friend, purchased a roasting oven, received technical transfer, and was provided with information about sweet potato vendors. Zhuang Yong-Zhen (born 1961), a native of Kaohsiung, joined the charcoal-roasted sweet potato business at the invitation of a friend, purchased a roasting oven, received technical transfer, and was provided with information about sweet potato vendors. By chance, he began selling charcoal-roasted sweet potatoes. He first sold them in Kaohsiung, and the following year, he moved back to his wife's family home in Qigu. Initially, he operated like a mobile vendor, setting up stalls in places with high foot and vehicle traffic, moving to a new location after the crowds dispersed. It wasn't until the year after the 7-11 Qigu store opened (1995) that he settled in a fixed location, selling only on weekends while doing piecework at home during the week. The reason Zhuang Ji Charcoal Roasted Sweet Potatoes are so addictive lies in the selection of sweet potato varieties and the special charcoal used. Qigu Zhuang Ji's sweet potatoes are divided into red-fleshed and yellow-fleshed types depending on the season. Red-fleshed sweet potatoes are Tainong No. 66 from Dadu Mountain, Taichung, available from September to November each year. Yellow-fleshed sweet potatoes are TCLS No. 57 from Shuilin, Yunlin, available from November to June of the following year. As for the charcoal, it is made from Taiwanese longan wood, which burns without smoke, preventing the sweet potato skin from burning and imparting a rich aroma to the sweet potatoes. After purchasing the sweet potatoes, Zhuang Yong-Zhen washes them and lets them air dry... Address: 臺南市七股區七股里 ( 七股 7-11 前 ) Hours: 00:00–23:59 Tainan