Travel
Noodles fans, the wait is over: Haidilao Taichung branch to begin trial operation on Sept. 5, bookings now open
Fans of hand-pulled noodles in Taichung and lovers of Sichuan-style spicy hot pot have finally been given the green light — Haidilao’s Taichung outlet will kick off trial operations on September 5 and officially open on September 11. During the trial period, only on-site queuing will be available, but phone reservations will also open on September 5. Note that bookings are limited to dining slots between September 11 and October 31.
Enjoy an ultra-affordable Kaohsiung steak that takes you back in time—less than $100 with free extra noodles!
Located in Yancheng District, Kaohsiung, “American Steak” attracts many visitors with its super low prices, a secret steak sauce recipe of its own creation, and a retro-style interior. Having been passed down through four generations, American Steak moved from Datong Road to Yancheng District in 2009 but has stayed true to its traditional flavors, continuing to serve affordable and delicious meals using age-old family recipes.
Late-Night Tricycle Eats in Kaohsiung: Nostalgic Old-School Pork Rice & Mushroom Chicken Soup
Without a fixed shop, the owner rides his customized tricycle, selling not only pork rice but also cold side dishes, marinated eggs & meatballs, and mushroom chicken soup. The pork rice comes in small and large portions, with the large size only costing 10 NT more—super affordable prices that let everyone eat their fill.
Every piece of meat is hand-massaged here!“Duitou Beef Noodles” in Toucheng only sells for 3 hours a day
As soon as the steaming Sanbao Noodles are served, diners at nearby tables give envious glances. The large bowl contains two pieces of braised beef the size of half a palm—tender and flavorful. Chen Xueliang uses American beef shank core, four thumb-thick beef tendons that melt in your mouth, and three slices of beef tripe about two fingers wide—generous without seeming stingy. The broth is slightly sweet with fruity and faintly herbal notes, and the noodles have a texture similar to Japanese ramen.
Crispy, gooey, and irresistible—13 must-try popular “egg pancakes” across Taiwan!
Selected by ETNEWS, these delicious egg pancakes from all over Taiwan range from simple yet satisfying classics to trendy creations stuffed with takoyaki, zongzi, taro paste, and even teppanyaki noodles for an extra indulgent twist. Others keep it simple with ultra-crispy textures and ooey-gooey cheese explosions. Dear readers, have you had your egg pancake today?
Ultimate Lazy Guide: 27 Must-Try Foods in Kaohsiung
When visiting Kaohsiung, you’ll probably think of all kinds of traditional snacks, but do you know what the locals really eat? The Kaohsiung Food Map has compiled a list of 20 must-try local snacks from the past six years of sampling Kaohsiung’s street food—perfect for your trip to this vibrant city. Are you ready to feast your way through Kaohsiung?
So inspiring! After battling cancer and going through a divorce, this northeastern girl earns a six-figure income selling red bean pancakes.
You’ve had sponge cake, but have you had one that winks and smiles at you? Taichung’s Liu Fen Tian (Sixth Sweet) Red Bean Pancakes not only serve up thin-skinned, filling-packed red bean pancakes but also feature a variety of creatively shaped sponge cakes that are beloved by both kids and adults. Their recently launched “Smiling Sponge Cakes,” with four different designs—whether half-lidded eyes or playful winks—boast lively expressions that are super eye-catching and irresistibly charming. They’re so adorable you might not want to eat them at all.
Super cute alert: 60 little white sheep appear at Chihkan Tower, becoming Tainan’s latest photo hotspot
On September 2nd, a group of adorable white sheep made their debut at Tainan’s Chihkan Tower. Invited from the UK, “Sheep Step Taiwan” was invited to embark on a historic sites tour in Tainan. Starting September 2nd, they officially settled in at Chihkan Tower to meet the public, and will continue to be exhibited at various historic landmarks in the future.
LEGO Becomes a Real “House” – Opens in September in Its Birthplace, Billund, Denmark
According to Lonely Planet, the LEGO House designed by Bjarke Ingels will open on September 28 this year in Billund, Denmark — the birthplace of LEGO. The long-awaited toy bricks have now become architecture!
Korea’s spicy and juicy Kyochon fried chicken – pair it with a beer for an unbeatable experience!
What do you eat with fried chicken in Korea? The answer is obvious – beer, of course. Kyochon’s chicken drumsticks have a thin, crispy crust, super tender and juicy meat that’s incredibly flavorful. They’re so good you could easily eat two or three drumsticks in one go.
Tigerair launches its inaugural 3-day flight to Hanamaki Airport in Iwate Prefecture this year — your newest destination for autumn foliage and snow viewing!
To mark the occasion, Iwate Prefecture specially dispatched mascots to welcome the first group of Taiwanese passengers at the arrival hall, even raising the flag of the Republic of China in the hall as a gesture of hospitality. The airport corridor also featured the traditional "Tiger Dance" performed during local festivals to convey blessings. This was not only to welcome the first batch of travelers arriving in Iwate Prefecture with Taiwan’s Tigerair, but also to pray for peace and prosperity in Taiwan-Japan relations.
Officially certified "Headless Troops" ghost stories in Matsu Greet the senior soldiers in the tunnels first
There are plenty of ghost stories in the military, and when it comes to officially recognized ones, you can't miss Matsu's "Headless Troops." During the standoff between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait, tragic incidents often occurred where so-called "water ghosts" landed on the outlying islands. On dark and windy nights, an entire unit could be silently decapitated by the well-trained enemy forces—a mishap that happened all too easily. Almost every conscript who served on the outlying islands has heard the story of the "senior soldiers."
Tainan’s Hidden Gem: Alan Noodle Shop – Must-Try Sesame Sauce Noodles
Lin Chin-hsun, who has been dining at Alan Noodle Shop for over a decade, says: “The sesame sauce noodles are a must every time I come—I usually eat two bowls. The noodles soak up the sesame sauce broth, and when you lift them, the aroma of saltiness and fragrance fills the air. When you take a bite, they have a bouncy, Q-textured chew, and paired with wonton soup and assorted braised items, it’s super satisfying. The prices are reasonable, and just thinking about it makes my mouth water.”
4 seats at this pink-themed café near Zhongshan MRT Station—girlie cotton candy black tea that’s too cute to miss!
The cotton candy black tea is absolutely adorable—it’s from HiSugar: 嗨糖, a Japanese-style crepe & cotton candy black tea shop right by Exit 2 of Zhongshan MRT Station, just a 3-minute walk away. The place is tiny with only 4 seats, but its pink decor and delicious Japanese-style crepes and cotton candy black tea make it an irresistible stop!
Yonghe’s Hidden Gem Dumplings Go on Sale at 4:30 PM – Their Wrappers Are as Springy as Freshly Rolled
Tucked away in Liuhuo Market in Yonghe District, New Taipei City, “Yonghe Dong Family Dumplings” is the kind of humble eatery I’d head to for a simple dinner. The dumplings, freshly pan-fried, have wrappers as springy and fresh as if they were just rolled out. I usually order ten dumplings with a bowl of soup—delicious and deeply satisfying. Before leaving, I grab two packs of frozen dumplings to stock up for typhoon season.
HowQ Pop-up at Banqiao Dayeh Mart for 2 Months Launches Limited Flavor "Happy Bean Kernel"
From September 1 to October 31, the popular bagel shop HowQ will set up a "HowQ Bagel POP-UP SHOP Department Store Limited Pop-up Store" at B1F of Banqiao Dayeh Mart (in front of Din Tai Fung). In addition to featuring freshly handmade, healthy, and delicious bagels, this pop-up introduces a New Taipei City-exclusive bagel flavor for the first time — made with specially selected Taiwan No. 9 edamame, creating the new "Happy Bean Kernel" bagel flavor.
A 60-centimeter-tall tower of ice cream?! Kaohsiung’s over-the-top desserts satisfy netizens’ photo-taking cravings
Posting food photos has become a routine part of dining out. Whether it’s the presentation or the taste, the more unique the dish, the more attention it draws. Some restaurants have introduced show-stopping treats like the outrageously eye-catching 101 Tower Ice Cream and Glass Heel Sundae, which not only fulfill people’s desire to show off but also spark intense online discussion.
Night-only special: Zhongli-style chicken rice with a Chiayi flavor – a nostalgic feast reminiscent of old banquet tables
Chiayi Big Pot Soup has been operating in Zhongli for quite some time and only opens at night. Its turkey and overall seasoning are, so far, the closest to the flavors of Chiayi I’ve had. The big pot soup is packed with ingredients, giving off the taste of leftover banquet dishes – a nostalgic feel from childhood.
From golden daylilies to bald cypress trees—book your visit to these 6 must-see golden wonders after September!
After several bouts of rain, temperatures have dropped sharply. By the calendar, it’s already autumn. In summer, we admire lotus flowers, this year the daylilies are late, but as deep autumn approaches, the variety of blooms becomes even richer. From silvergrass and ginkgo to the bald cypress trees that went viral last year—all are brewing the essence of time, ready to unveil their most enchanting side to eager travelers. ETNEWS Travel Cloud has compiled a list of six essential floral sights and their estimated blooming periods for the second half of the year. Flower enthusiasts, it’s time to start planning ahead!
The largest in southern Taoyuan — Longtan Night Market opens with up to 500 stalls
The Longtan area of Taoyuan finally has its own night market for tourists. The Longtan Tourist Night Market officially opened on September 2, covering an area of 6,000 pyeong (approximately 19,800 square meters) with as many as 500 stalls. It can be described as the largest tourist night market in southern Taoyuan. Moreover, not only locals from Longtan but also visitors from nearby Pingzhen and Guanxi areas are welcome to come. In addition, the night market has planned 300 parking spaces for cars and 200 for motorcycles.