Night-only special: Zhongli-style chicken rice with a Chiayi flavor – a nostalgic feast reminiscent of old banquet tables

Text and photos bySan Gao Sir

I had previously bought from Chiayi Big Pot Soup once and wasn’t disappointed. It’s also close to the freeway exit, so on my way back from Taoyuan to Hsinchu recently, I stopped by for dinner again – having a bowl of turkey rice and braised pork rice, then taking home a few braised turkey feet to munch on. Really satisfying.

Chiayi Big Pot Soup is a long-established snack shop in Zhongli that only opens at night, but business is really booming. Although the menu only lists “chicken,” it’s clearly turkey. Having visited Chiayi several times in recent years, I now rarely eat regular chicken (shredded) rice or turkey rice outside of Chiayi. The sense of satisfaction just isn’t the same.

In terms of how the turkey is prepared and the overall seasoning, this place serves the flavor closest to what I’ve had in Chiayi. The small pieces of breast meat retain their juiciness without being dry or tough, with a touch of skin and gelatin adding softness and smoothness. The oiliness and saltiness in the white rice aren’t too strong, leaning slightly sweet with a more sauce-forward flavor. If there’s anything lacking, it might be the rich aroma of turkey meat, like what you get in Chiayi –Ah Xi– the fresh, fragrant meaty taste of morning turkey rice that’s especially appetizing.

The braised pork rice is also quite delicious. The pork strips are thoroughly infused with the braising sauce, offering a rich, savory flavor that leans a bit salty, yet doesn’t leave an overly greasy aftertaste.

The big pot soup is loaded with ingredients – it’s essentially the taste of leftover banquet dishes from the old days, evoking a sense of nostalgia from childhood. I also ordered a few other side dishes, which were fairly average, so I won’t elaborate much.

As mentioned earlier, the thick, meaty black turkey feet are deboned, braised until soft and tender, and full of flavor – truly a great comfort food at home. Watching videos of them makes you want to polish them off without realizing it.

Chiayi Big Pot Soup
Address: No. 62, Zhiguang Road, Zhongli District, Taoyuan City
Business hours: 4:00 PM – 12:30 AM (Closed on Sundays)

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