Taste the "True" Flavor: A Gastronomic Journey Through Taitung’s Valley 11 Unique Restaurants in Taitung

Kiln Roll Tribe
Nestled within the Amis tribal community—Lu’an, Kiln Roll Tribe was originally just a gathering place for the community but later gained a reputation and expanded into a restaurant. It maximizes the use of the “kiln” to bake handmade bread and offers a pizza DIY service.

Amis mothers also prepare creative light meals using wild greens, named the “Herbivore Herbal Health Meal.” The main dish features pickled leek pork, accompanied by garlic chive stir-fried with salted egg and a dash of Shaoxing wine, deep-fried mulberry leaf rolls wrapped in non-GMO tofu skin, fragrant mushroom omelet, and imperial vegetable soup. Lin Liuying, the community committee chairperson, mentioned that the side wild vegetables change with the seasons, offering different flavors. Additionally, due to the community-operated nature, guests are advised to call ahead or inquire via the fan page.

Economic Snack Bar
Located near the Huan Shan Township Office in Taitung, the charming Economic Snack Bar is marked by a cute and eye-catching kitchenware robot made by the owner, Xiao Li. Upon entering, the corridor walls are covered with reports about the snack bar, making it somewhat of a local celebrity. Xiao Li emphasizes that all dishes are zero-mileage, focusing on local rural produce and traditional cuisine, aiming to bring back the good old days of agricultural life.

Having run the Economic Snack Bar for eight years, Xiao Li continuously develops new dishes, such as plum fried rice using rice grown by his father-in-law and plums contracted from the Dianguang community, paired with his own chicken, vegetables grown by his grandmother, and the signature fried tofu pudding, combined into the “Lianlian Lilong Flavor” set meal. Named after Huan Shan’s former name, Lilong, it conveys the heartfelt hospitality of early farming families preparing lavish meals for guests.

Guyana Workshop
Originating from the Bunun phrase “Kaiana,” the Guyana Workshop allows travelers to experience Bunun life firsthand. From threshing millet, pounding it with a mortar, sifting the husks, washing the grains, and pounding millet into flour—to learning the techniques and wisdom behind steaming millet rice—they conclude with tasting the delicious millet rice and sharing in the communal joy of “Guyana.” The set meal “Bumi Bumi” symbolizes the Bunun staple—traditional millet rice—that must never be missed.

To pass on traditional Bunun cuisine and culture, Guyana presents the “Bumi Bumi” set, centered around traditional millet rice, paired with bamboo shoot bone soup, four main dishes including sweet potato pork skewers, fermented glutinous rice braised pork, bitter greens, and pan-fried fish; plus three side dishes like Bunun-style pickled mustard green sprouts, beetroot, and olive-like pear. The menu varies seasonally with fresh, local ingredients. The millet rice here isn’t served with peanut powder as commonly seen, but instead with lard and wrapped with pork and olive-like pear, which is quite unique. Moreover, Guyana’s homemade millet wine is exceptional—sweet with a slight kick that makes you want to sip more.

Marquee Pizza
Created by Amis princess More and her Canadian husband Michael, Marquee Pizza originally operated a handmade wood-fired pizza shop in Taichung, building a loyal customer base. Due to lease issues, they returned to Chihshang, Taitung to start anew. In addition to their signature “pizza,” they create dishes combining locally sourced ingredients.

Using rice grown by his father, local carrots, tomatoes, and pork, they make “Roman Tomato Pork Rice,” which is sweet and sour and pairs perfectly with rice. Though it has a Western name, it’s essentially a classic Chinese dish. Another standout is Michael’s signature artichoke flatbread, beloved back in Taichung, featuring a unique artichoke dipping sauce that leaves diners wanting more—also a common dish at Canadian home parties.

Shandong Snacks
A Shandong woman who married and moved to Chihshang serves up hometown flavors using Shandong dishes from her memories, prepared with locally sourced Taitung ingredients. Known as the “Din Tai Fung of Chihshang,” Shandong Snacks started as a handmade soup dumpling street stall and has since grown into a full-fledged shop. The signature “Original Shandong” set centers around handmade soup dumplings, served with a soup made from locally grown tomatoes, complemented by crisp, refreshing side dishes, fruit, and herbal tea grown by the owner, Brother Tang. The dumpling wrappers here are uniquely colored—purple from the addition of Chihshang’s black rice—and their striking hue is even more appetizing. Letting them sit for two or three minutes before eating enhances their chewy texture.

Contact number: 0922-287-198, (089)864-599
Address: No. 19, Zhongshan Road, Chihshang Township, Taitung County

▲%Avoid xenophobia?}Origin’s flavors, fried rice & harmony,