Using "space food" in dishes — this vegetarian restaurant serves an amazing eight-treasure rice

Reported and photographed by You t
ru / Kaohsiung

In Taiwan, vegetarians truly have a wide array of delicious dishes to choose from. Han Lai Vegetarian Cuisine, under the Han Lai Group, is a highly popular plant-based dining option in southern Taiwan. It stands out among many vegetarian restaurants with its Hong Kong-style cooking techniques, and even has a branch at the Buddha Museum at Fo Guang Shan. Among them is a dish that was selected by NASA asthe "best space food"— the eight-treasure rice, which is especially classic, with a pleasantly chewy texture, making it well worth trying.


▲%The dish won recognition after being chosen by NASA as one of the best space foods./strong>


Han Lai Vegetarian Cuisine, which has multiple branches in southern Taiwan, also has a location in Taoyuan’s TaiMall. As people in Taiwan increasingly value healthy and nutritious diets, this outlet carefully selects organic and seasonal ingredients for its meals. The manager of the Han Lai Vegetarian Cuisine store in Kaohsiung said that there are no reprocessed or artificial ingredients used here at all. Organic white rice, beans, and fresh vegetables are specially chosen to emphasize a safe and healthy dining environment.

Han Lai Vegetarian Cuisine offers several dishes worth trying. The Four-Season Fresh Fruit Salad uses seasonal fruits and vegetables, and goes beyond just greens by incorporating mushrooms, with a light and non-greasy dressing. The popular quinoa eight-treasure rice uses quinoa from South America, which has 20 times the nutritional value of white rice. It is slow-cooked in an iron pot and filled with dried tofu, edamame, organic rice, and quinoa. Though the dish looks simple, every bite offers a different flavor, making it highly recommended for families.


▲Four-Season Fresh Fruit Salad.
%The dish is also praised for its refreshing taste./strong>


Additionally, the Fucheng Taro Cake, made with hearty taro and topped with vegetarian meat sauce, has a smooth texture and rich taro aroma. Another signature dish, the Chinese Toon with Three Crisps in Vinegar, is prepared using a two-stage frying method. Spring roll wrappers encase shredded enoki mushrooms, bamboo shoots, and king oyster mushrooms, then drizzled with Italian balsamic vinegar. With its many layered textures, every bite is a delightful surprise.


▲Fucheng Taro Cake.
%This dish is beloved by many customers./strong>



▲Red Oil Wontons.
%The Stir-fried Bean Sprouts also use garlic, chili, and vinegar./strong>

Han Lai Vegetarian Cuisine
Address: 5F, No. 777, Bo’ai 2nd Rd., Zuoying District, Kaohsiung City
Phone: (07) 555 2882
Business Hours: 11:30–14:30; 17:30–21:00