The taste of home in my memory—Chiayi black pork sausages have been delighting people for 20 years

Text and photos by /Xiao Sheng

The Chiayi Black Sausage stall has been fragrant in the Dashe area for nearly 20 years. It's not only beloved by locals but also holds a special place as a cherished memory and delicious taste for me.

Located at the intersection of Xingnan Road in Nanzih District, Dashe Road, and Sanmin Road in Dashe District, the aroma here is absolutely captivating every afternoon, drawing in many food enthusiasts. This charcoal-grilled stall, known as Chiayi Black Sausage, is popular not only among locals but also with students from nearby schools. For me, it's more than just food—it’s a taste from my past. On a day when I happened to be back at the school, I revisited this spot to rediscover that familiar flavor.

In the afternoons, aside from students and locals, quite a few taxi and truck drivers are also drawn by the smell. The fact that taxi and truck drivers often love these kinds of spots usually means the food is exceptionally tasty—and the crowd in the shop says it all.

“Chiayi black sausage” refers to the use of black pork in the sausages. Looking at the grill piled high with sausages is truly a sight to behold, which is probably why the aroma always attracts passersby. And once you try them, you’re hooked. That’s how I became a regular too XD

Besides sausages, the shop also sells their best companion—sticky rice sausages. However, the sticky rice sausages are a bit unique because they don’t use peanuts but rather emperor beans. Since I’m not usually a fan of sticky rice sausages, I mostly just get the regular ones. After ordering two sausages, the shop gives you a number, and then you wait for your order. The waiting time can feel a bit long—I even thought I’d been forgotten at one point, because someone with a later number got served before me. Later I learned it’s just because they’re so busy that service takes a little longer.

In addition to the sausages and sticky rice sausages, the shop also thoughtfully provides free soup. This soup is made with pork bones and radishes and tastes quite good. You can even see some diners fishing out the bones. But personally, I’m mainly here for the soup.

Sausages (NT$20 each). The portion in this plate includes two sausages. If my long-ago memory serves me right, I recall they were NT$20 even over ten years ago (Oops, I accidentally gave away my age XD). I can’t believe the price hasn’t gone up after all this time. As for the large intestines (chitterlings), they’re NT$40 each. When you order sausages, they also give you refreshing radish slices and tender ginger. Though I remember cucumber used to come with it before.

Just from the cross-section, you can tell these sausages are hearty. The black pork is mostly lean meat with a bit of fat, giving it a firm but not tough texture, plus a slightly smooth mouthfeel. When you bite in, there’s a special aroma—I’m guessing it’s the wine flavor—that’s what makes these black sausages unforgettable. The ginger and radish also complement the dish perfectly, adding just the right touch without overpowering. That’s why I could eat two sausages and not feel overly stuffed.

This Chiayi Black Sausage stall in the Nanzih-Dashe area isn’t just a local delicacy—it’s a nostalgic flavor for me. Coming back to this spot and tasting that memory again, though everything and everyone has changed, the taste remains just as amazing and just as irresistible. If you’re in Kaohsiung’s Dashe area or near E-DA World, it’s worth stopping by to try this local snack.

Chiayi Black Sausage
Address: Intersection of Xingnan Road, Nanzih District, Kaohsiung City & Dashe Road, Dashe District & Sanmin Road
Business hours: 15:00 until sold out

Xiao Sheng’s Wandering Journey
Every journey, every trip is about seeking something—even if I’m not entirely sure what that is—but in the end, I gain more than I ever imagined. And so, my wandering journey will continue without end.