Must-try traditional flavors in Taitung: special spicy sauce with rice vermicelli and smooth, delicate pineapple shaved ice

Text and photos byGui Xiaosun

There are several must-try snacks in downtown Taitung: rice vermicelli (is it “tai” or “tai”? 😅), sweet mung bean soup, and the stinky tofu from Lin’s family—these street foods represent Taitung and are always fondly remembered by those who’ve tried them. When traveling to a city, you simply can’t miss its classic flavors. These long-standing tastes, some of which have been passed down for decades, will definitely leave a lasting impression.

Take ‘Lao Dongtai Rice Vermicelli,’ for example—not only is the rice vermicelli itself delicious, but their chili sauce is absolutely top-notch. I’ve been eating a jar I bought last year until now XD. This next place, ‘Jin Fang Ice City,’ was a last-minute decision on my final day. The prices and old-school vibe really left an impression on me—I highly recommend giving it a try ～

Actually, there’s another famous rice vermicelli spot in downtown Taitung: Rongshuxia Rice Vermicelli. We originally planned to check this one out for a change, but somehow we got turned around and couldn’t find it XD. So instead, we ended up eating at this ‘Lao Dongtai’ place right next to Yangji Sweet Potato Crisps on Datong Road. Also, just a heads-up—police often patrol this area, so be careful with parking.

I came here to eat at ‘Lao Dongtai Rice Vermicelli’ on Zhengqi Road last year.[Taitung Food] 【Zhengqi Road Snacks】 Lao Dongtai Rice Vermicelli, Lin’s Stinky Tofu, Lao Dongfang Herbal Tea—so many tasty snacks in one place. (Plus a travel journal from our East Rift Valley trip)

This one on Datong Road seems to have just opened recently—it’s bigger. But to me, it feels more like a school cafeteria XD. It’s large and very standardized, lacking the charm of a typical snack shop. The plus side is probably that you don’t have to wait too long, and everyone can get a meal.

Since it was lunchtime but I wasn’t super hungry, I only ordered two bowls of rice vermicelli, some cucumber, and century egg tofu. The rice vermicelli here at ‘Lao Dongtai Rice Vermicelli’ is pretty chewy (though I still think the other place I went to was better XD). There’s fried shallots, dried bonito flakes, leeks, and their own homemade spicy sauce. It’s really appetizing.
Even though I wasn’t that hungry, I ended up finishing it all XD. That’s the charm of snack shops—the simple flavors are always satisfying. I hope I can find Rongshuxia next time~

After eating, there was still some time before my train home. This day was the hottest of my three-day Taitung trip. So after lunch, we started thinking about where to get some shaved ice. Thankfully, I’d done some research beforehand and had already entered a few options into my Garmin. This place, ‘Jin Fang Ice City,’ was one I spotted on Via—and I ended up loving it even more. It has that nostalgic feel of an old-school ice shop from your parents’ generation, simple and affordable in the best way. Look at how crowded it is—everyone’s probably hiding from the sun XD.

This ice shop is probably the cheapest one I’ve come across. The portions aren’t huge, but for just 30 NT per serving, it’s even cheaper than a drink XD. The portions aren’t served on regular-sized plates—each one is about 15 cm in diameter. Just the right size for one person. We got pineapple and passionfruit flavors—I highly recommend the pineapple. It tasted just like old-fashioned pineapple juice, sweet with a hint of sourness. So good. Paired with finely shaved ice, it’s a truly charming and nostalgic treat.

Quietly writing, slowly reminiscing—the Taitung trip may be over... but in my heart, I’ve once again traced every step I took. Are you ready to visit Taitung yet? ^~^

Related Info
Lao Dongtai Rice Vermicelli (Datong Branch): No. 151, Datong Road, Taitung CityJin Fang Ice City: No. 358, Zhengqi Road, Taitung City
［Enjoy life, never boring. – Gui Xiaosun］、

[Enjoy life without boredom. By Xiao Sun]、FB