Unpredictable whereabouts: The mysterious stinky tofu stall that Tainan locals have grown up eating

Text/Photos byDakou

The mysterious stinky tofu stall “Fulai Bo Stinky Tofu” in front of Kaishan Road in Tainan is believed to be a beloved treat many locals have enjoyed since childhood. It’s also the most frequently relocated stinky tofu stand—if you want to try it, you’ll need a bit of luck. It’s said to have first set up shop at the intersection of Kaishan Road and Shulin Street, later moved in front of a 7-11 at the junction of Kaishan Road and Fufront Road, and then, over a year ago, relocated again to the front of Shuntian Comprehensive Printing Factory on Kaishan Road. Truly an unpredictable spot. But this delicious treat has been delighting noses for nearly 40 years. This time, a local friend from Tainan took us to try what they remember as the classic flavor—truly a unique street food experience.

%We heard it had moved again, and this time it showed up in front of Shuntian Comprehensive Printing Factory on Kaishan Road. When we arrived, there were already seven or eight people in line.

%There was only one small sign, and the old man selling it hadn’t put up any big posters or anything, yet it’s been around for 40 years. It’s said that before, the uncle used to sell in front of the 7-11, and only moved to this current spot over a year ago.

%As you can see, this stall is run entirely by this one uncle. He makes each piece of stinky tofu one by one, slowly frying them for each customer, so everyone will need to wait patiently.

%All the stinky tofu here is deep-fried fresh, not pre-fried and just reheated. First, they cut it into pieces, then fry it until golden brown, and finally drizzle it with sauce. The result is super crispy and tasty.

%And every day, the sauce is freshly made, and it’s been 40 years too—it’s also the nostalgic flavor many Tainan locals grew up with.

%The best part is that there’s a huge amount of pickled vegetables inside. I wonder how he manages to fit so much in there.

%Even though each portion is made individually, if business is good, it might all be sold out by seven or eight in the evening.

%Although the stinky tofu is made fresh on the spot, some friends say if you don’t have time to wait in line, you can also get it to go. They’ll pack the pickles, stinky tofu, and sauce together in a bag for you to take away—it’s also a great option.

%This time we opted to take it away, getting the large portion. There was quite a lot, enough for two people to feel full. The stinky tofu gave off a strong, inviting aroma right out of the bag, and its angular shape looked super appetizing.

%Since we didn’t get utensils, we just ate it directly with the stinky tofu and pickles from the bag. After frying, the crispy texture made it even more delicious.

%The stinky tofu itself doesn’t have too strong a smell—it’s not the kind that hits you hard like some tourist trap versions. Instead, it has a rich, savory aroma, and when paired with the pickled vegetables and sauce, it’s really flavorful.

%The pickled vegetables that come with the stinky tofu are super crunchy, adding a nice contrast. There’s also a spicy sauce some people like to add, which gives it a nice kick and makes the whole thing even tastier.

%The stinky tofu is also quite spicy, so if you like things hot, you can definitely add more chili oil for extra aroma and flavor.

%The stinky tofu we got, the large portion, disappeared in no time. We finished it all instantly and still felt like we wanted more.

%I think it’s great that this stall keeps the traditional vibe. It’s still run like this, creating a unique local food culture, and it’s also what makes our travel experiences different.

“Fulai Bo Stinky Tofu” may be mysterious and require a bit of luck to find, but the generous portions of stinky tofu and the mountain of pickled veggies still draw in plenty of foodies. A small portion is 35 NTD, and a large is 50 NTD. If you’re in a group of two, definitely go for the large portion to get your fill. It’s said that Fulai Bo Stinky Tofu shows up around 3:30 PM in front of Shuntian Printing Factory on Kaishan Road, but might move in front of the 7-11 after 7 PM. If you don’t want to wait too long, you can also call ahead to reserve, which saves you a bit of queuing time. Wishing everyone good luck in getting to try it.

【Snack Info】
Fulai Bo Stinky Tofu
Address: No. 2, Lane 52, Kaishan Road, Tainan City (in front of Shuntian Comprehensive Printing Factory)
Phone: 0919-129101
Business Hours: 15:30–22:00 (until sold out)
Closed: 3rd and 17th days of the lunar month

Dakou’s Travel School
Spin it: Dakou and Koumee’s Neon Lights Adventure