Oyster vermicelli is a highly distinctive Taiwanese snack, primarily made with oysters (small fresh oysters) and vermicelli. The oysters need to be coated with tapioca starch, but many stalls also sell a version made with pork intestines and vermicelli (tōa-tn̂g mī-sòaⁿ; pork intestines and vermicelli). …
Origin: Kaohsiung, Taiwan, China. Craft: After fishermen catch mullet, they sell the male fish at the fish market, while the female fish are split open to extract the roe, which is sold separately from the flesh. Specialized factories that process mullet roe purchase the eggs, first thoroughly rinse them to remove any impurities, then press them under wooden boards to remove moisture to a considerable extent, flattening them...
Originally known as the New Life Ice Shop, Grandma’s Ice was established in Showa 6 (1933). Its owner, Cai Gu, often wore a headscarf, and nearby students from Kaohsiung Girls High School affectionately called her “Grandma,” giving rise to the name “Grandma’s Ice.” Since Cai Gu was particularly skilled at pickling starfruit and plums, the four-fruit ice dessert became the most popular...
An ordinary-looking grilled sausage, but under the management of the Xindagang Sausage stall, it has become a signature snack in the area around Bao’an Temple. Made with pork loin and pork belly, prepared fresh daily, the meat is tender and flavorful. Grilled to perfection, it’s juicy without being greasy, and pairs wonderfully with pickled cucumbers for a truly satisfying bite. Though it’s just a small stall, the owner invested in a high-quality ex…
Next to the level crossing on Nanyang Road, there’s a street-side stall under a canopy selling pork offal soup, which locals jokingly call the Railway Restaurant. Diners sit on stools, facing steaming bowls of soup, slurping away as the rumble of trains passes by—a scene full of rustic charm. Thanks to the owner’s meticulous cleaning of the offal and the rich, flavorful broth, there’s no need for...
.Kaohsiung: Oyster Omelette Oysters are a specialty of Kaohsiung and a type of shellfish. First, the oysters are mixed with starch noodles, then beaten eggs are poured into oil to fry, wrapping the oysters inside, resembling an egg pancake. …
Established in the 20th year of the Guangxu reign during the Qing Dynasty (1894), it is a top-tier century-old shop in central Taiwan. Its representative pastries include malted barley cake, almond crisp, pineapple cake, lotus seed cake, white bean paste cake, and meat pastry, but the most popular is the time-honored signature product — flaky Taiwanese-style mooncake; its main ingredient is mung beans, which are finely ground and then mixed with high heat and sugar...
Located beside Provincial Highway 3 on the way from Taichung City to Wufeng, Grass Lake has long been renowned for its uniquely modified hard-block taro ice. With its cool, sweet taste and chewy, satisfying texture, it’s considered a gold-standard among local Taiwanese ice treats. While taro ice can be found all over Taiwan, Grass Lake’s version enjoys an unrivaled reputation — one secret being its use of betel palm heart…
Wuzhi Town is a hub for seafood delicacies along Taiwan’s west coast, situated in the hinterland of Taichung Port and Wuzhi Fishing Port. The town enjoys an abundant supply of live seafood year-round, with fresh catches available in all seasons at affordable prices. As a result, numerous seafood restaurants have sprung up here, making it a popular spot for locals in Taichung to indulge in seafood. When visiting Wuzhi for seafood, you can start by...
This small vendor, located next to the Bank of Taiwan, has neither a signboard nor seating. Yet, with its silky and delicious tofu pudding, it draws a steady stream of customers every day. Starting at 8 a.m., they sell out their three large buckets and then close up shop. Taiyin Tofu Pudding has been passed down through three generations for over 70 years. From ingredient selection and soaking, to grinding the soybeans, filtering the residue, and adding gypsum — every step is precisely mastered, resulting in…
Located between Minyi Street and Zhengyi Street, Zhongxiao Road Night Market has a 30-year history. Originally formed to serve the takeaway food needs of students from Chung Hsing University and workers from nearby factories, it has since evolved into a popular late-night food spot. Over time, it has attracted many diners who come specifically for its reputation. Among the numerous stalls, Zheng Lao Pai Mian Xian Hu (Authentic Hand-Pulled Noodle Soup), Pai Gu Da Wang (Pork Ribs King), and Gan Zhe Niu Nai Da Wang (Sugarcane Milk King) are among the more...
With a history of 40 years, Zhonghua Road Night Market spans two road sections: Zhonghua Road and Park Road. The vendors on Zhonghua Road mainly offer street food, stretching from the intersection with Minquan Road all the way to Dahu Street. Here you can find everything from oyster omelets, spring rolls, sushi, pork rib soup, and marinated snacks... Among them, the crispy-on-the-outside and tender-on-the-inside Tanzi stinky tofu has long enjoyed a great reputation in Taichung City...
Xingfateng is a legendary old shop in Taichung known for its honey bean ice. In addition to the main ingredient—honey beans—it’s topped with small glutinous rice balls, red beans, green beans, as well as seasonal fruits such as pineapple, watermelon, cantaloupe, papaya, and bananas. It's then drizzled with banana oil, and the refreshing crunch of the shaved ice makes it a favorite among many. (Taichung County)…
Located at the intersection of Zhongxiao Road and Taizhong Road, Zhongxiao Tofu Pudding has been in business for 30 to 40 years. The owner carefully selects ingredients such as soybeans, gypsum, and tofu pudding powder, and adheres to traditional methods to produce tofu pudding with a soft, chewy, and silky texture that feels almost melt-in-your-mouth. It is served with slowly simmered peanut and ginger soup, delivering a rich aroma. The shop also sells bowls...
Hemp Leaf Soup is the most distinctive local snack in the Taichung area and is rarely seen elsewhere. The way of eating Hemp Leaf Soup can be traced back to the late Ming and early Qing dynasties. Its preparation involves stripping out the veins of the hemp leaves, then rinsing them under running water while vigorously rubbing them by hand to extract the bitter sap. Finally, they are simmered together with fish and sweet potatoes. There are several stalls selling Hemp Leaf Soup near Wude Temple, as well as...
The Dakeng Scenic Area, often likened to the backyard garden of Taichung City, not only boasts pleasant scenery but is also a well-known destination for local chicken cuisine. West of the Dakeng Roundabout along Section 2 of Dongshan Road, nestled along both sides of the road and the banks of the Dakeng Stream, are charming and modern pavilions and houses that light up brightly and buzz with lively chatter every evening, drawing an endless stream of food-loving visitors...
The taro from Dajia is soft in texture and has long been the designated ingredient for Chaohu Taro Ice and Jiufen Taro Balls. Realizing that Dajia taro had always played a supporting role, Xianmai Food set out to develop a taro-flavored mooncake (i.e., taro pastry), launching it in time for the Mid-Autumn Festival. To their surprise, it became very popular, so they made it a regular item. It retains the traditional taro aroma while incorporating the finesse of Western-style pastries…
The Dajia butter pastry, with over 50 years of history, is famous throughout the province. Among them, Yuzhenxin’s butter pastry is the most renowned, made with natural butter and six-hour slow-boiled pure maltose for both the crust and filling. With expert handcrafting and long hours of slow baking, it delivers a rich and mellow taste that lingers long after the first bite. Other products such as almond crisps, traditional engagement wedding cakes…
The shiitake mushrooms from Xinshe Township are renowned far and wide, with nearly every visitor taking home a pack of delicious fried mushrooms. The texture of king oyster mushrooms is similar to that of abalone, and when deep-fried, they taste like chicken nuggets—offering both flavor and texture. The various fresh mushrooms produced in Xinshe can be used to create many delightful dishes, such as the popular mushroom hot pot beloved by food enthusiasts.…
Wanyi Dried Tofu has been based in Taichung for 40 years. Its braised tofu is relatively moist and sticky, with a subtle sweet and spicy flavor, while the dried version is chewy but not tough. Like all their products, it contains no preservatives, so the shelf life is short—best consumed within a week. Layered tofu is the most popular item...