The Ye family has been selling rice balls for over 60 years, making them the pioneering old shop of shrimp roe rice balls in Tainan. Shrimp roe rice balls are an improved version of traditional rice balls, with fresh shrimp filling added to enhance their sweet, tender, and savory flavors. The dipping sauce, made from minced shrimp, pork lard broth, and sweet potato starch, further elevates the dish to perfection. (Tainan)…
In his early years, Ye Shuilong followed his father selling leather blade fish and cuttlefish rice noodles around Chikan Cinema. Later, he switched to pairing squid with rice noodles, but unexpectedly, the resulting broth turned out to be even more flavorful and chewy. The thick rice noodles, made purely from rice, held their texture even after prolonged cooking and became especially fragrant and springy after soaking up the broth. (Tainan)…
With over 80 years of history, the time-honored Eel Noodles is famed for its stir-fried eel. The secret to its deliciousness lies in the skilled high-heat stir-frying technique and a unique blend of four types of vinegar. After the eel is stir-fried, pre-cooked spaghetti is drizzled on top — the whole process takes no more than 27 seconds. The resulting eel is succulent, tender, and crisp. A splash of specially prepared vinegar removes any fishy taste and enhances the flavor, leaving a sweet-and-sour taste that lingers on the palate...
Tainan’s signature delicacy, “Coffin Bread,” was refined and popularized here. Originally called “Chicken Liver Bread,” it is said to have been very popular as early as the late Qing Dynasty. The shop owner revamped the recipe by using chicken, shrimp, squid, potatoes, peas, and other ingredients mixed with a milk-based flour batter for the filling, resulting in a richer and more delicious taste. (Tainan)…
The oldest street in all of Taiwan is Yanping Street in Anping, Tainan. Amid this narrow, old-world alleyway, there is a Yong Taixing Preserved Fruit Shop, whose history rivals that of Yanping Street itself. With 113 years under its belt, it can be called the oldest preserved fruit shop in Taiwan, and its fame has even surpassed that of Anping’s seafood. One shop…
The traditional Taiwanese wedding cakes from Old Yong Ruei Chen are renowned far and wide. Handmade with meticulous dough and refined fillings, they are crispy, savory, and not greasy—making them the preferred choice for bridal gifts in Tainan. The cakes come in various flavors such as minced pork, mandarin duck, cashew and five-nut, pineapple, and taro paste. Additionally, there are also classic treats that preserve old-world charm...
As autumn arrives, it’s the peak season for water chestnuts. Fan-Tian Township, known as the “Hometown of Red Water Chestnuts,” is Taiwan’s largest producer of them. Also called water caltrops or water chestnuts, they share similar growing habits with lotus—thriving in warm, humid marshlands. The varieties mainly grown in Fan-Tian are the two-horned and four-horned water chestnuts. Rich in starch, iron…
Old Yong Rui Zhen’s traditional Taiwanese wedding cakes are renowned far and wide. Handmade with exquisite dough and rich fillings, they are crispy, flavorful, and not greasy—making them the preferred gift for weddings in Tainan. The cakes come in various flavors such as pork belly, mandarin duck, cashew and mixed nuts, pineapple, and taro paste. In addition, there are also classic-style...
Established in the 10th year of the Tongzhi era (1871), Wanchuan Bakery is renowned for its delicate meat buns, crystal dumplings, and traditional Han-style pastries. It is the oldest bakery in Tainan. To this day, its steaming buns, crystal dumplings, and rarely seen local specialties such as firewood comb cakes (Shaxi cakes), vase cakes, crystal cakes, white sugar crisp, and mouth crisps—as well as various red turtle cakes for baby celebrations and modernized Chinese wedding pastries—remain beloved crowd-pleasers for all ages.
Heiqiao Brand Food originally set up a storefront at the end of Xinan Street, hence it was named after the “Black Bridge” (now Xinan Bridge) on the canal. The brand primarily produces meat processed goods such as sausages, cured meats, and meat floss, among which its sausages are particularly famous in southern Taiwan. After years of operation, Heiqiao Brand has branches all over the province and has established specialized production facilities. In addition to...
Wenfu Seafood has made a name for itself with its rabbit meat dishes. The Three-Cup Rabbit, stewed with spicy ingredients such as scallions, ginger, chili peppers, and basil, and the rabbit grilled with an exclusive sauce are both mouthwatering delights. The shop’s variety of seafood, whether grilled or steamed, is equally worth trying. (Tainan)…
Scholar’s Cake is delicious and especially sweet, making it a popular auspicious dessert that many parents—hoping their children will excel in exams—don’t forget to buy, especially around major exam seasons. Besides being tasty and cute in appearance, Scholar’s Cake also has an interesting backstory: during the early Qing Dynasty, a scholar who failed the imperial exams came up with the idea of grinding rice paste into fine…
The “Heiqiao Sausages” shop is located near the Shakahari food stall area in Tainan City. It sells the most famous sausages in southern Taiwan and has a history of over 30 years. Heiqiao Sausages are much thicker and larger than regular sausages. Since people in southern Taiwan prefer moist sausages, these are made to suit southern tastes. The shop does especially brisk business during festivals and holidays.
Waiting in line isn’t just for Hello Kitty fans—Fu Ji Rice Balls, with over 30 years of history, has its own queuing culture too. First, you queue up to get a bamboo steamer basket of rice balls from the boss, then carry your freshly steamed rice balls to the counter to pay, while drizzling on the orange-red sauce. Then you queue up again to enjoy the clear broth made from big bones—and don’t forget to sprinkle on...
Oyster omelette is a fairly common Taiwanese snack, but to make it truly delicious, not only does the chef need to have excellent skills, the main ingredient—oysters—must also be fresh. Located next to Anping Fort in Tainan, the Anping Fort Oyster Omelette stall has been run by Owner Wang since 1971 and is highly favored by many locals and tourists...
Unlike the common tofu skin shrimp rolls found in northern Taiwan, “Zhou’s Shrimp Rolls” use fresh shrimp and fish paste from the harbor, mixed with pork, green onions, celery, and special seasonings, then wrapped in pig’s omentum, coated in flour, and deep-fried. With one bite, you get a crispy texture and the rich aroma of shrimp. Each serving includes two generously sized rolls, …
“Frequent guests enjoy immortal-flavored beans; Cool and thirst-quenching, frosty blossoms bloom.” “Bean dishes passed down through ages; Blossoms nurture people far and wide.” These two couplets themed around “tofu pudding” were penned by Zhu Jiuying, a nationally treasured calligrapher, specifically for Anping Tofu Pudding. Beyond blessing the owner, Huang Qingtong, with success in his new shop, they also commemorate their longstanding friendship. For twenty-four years…
Originally named “Three Goods and One Fair,” it has been in business for over 50 years. Though the old shop was small, it was always packed with customers, often requiring a wait in line. After renaming, the shop not only expanded its space but also introduced a variety of flavors such as sesame oil stir-fried chicken hearts and ginseng chicken... Yet the tradition of meticulous craftsmanship remains unchanged. Address: No. 5...
Handpicked braised meat and soy sauce are used in their signature Scholar’s Zongzi, bursting with flavor and generously filled. Other popular varieties include pork zongzi, mung bean zongzi, peanut zongzi, mixed grain zongzi, and purple rice zongzi...
Milkfish is a traditional delicacy in Tainan, where every part of the fish can be eaten in various forms: fish congee, fish skin soup, fish belly soup, fish ball soup, fish head soup, pan-fried fish belly, pan-fried fish intestines, fermented black bean fish belly, fermented black bean fish intestines, fermented black bean fish head... To enjoy the full range of milkfish dishes, you must visit Tainan Tsai. It’s Tainan’s first 24-hour...