Taichung’s Old-School “Tube Rice Cake” – Topped with a Ring of Fatty Skin!

Text & Photos bySir San Gao

The coastal area of Taichung holds memories from my university days, and I hadn’t had Qingshui rice cake in years. Originally, I planned to visit the Gaomei Wetlands at sunset and have some rice cake along the way, but I got delayed and it was too late. So, I settled for a nearby spot—Wuqi’s Aces Tube Rice Cake.

I was initially worried about the place closing soon and running out of food, but luck was on my side—at least the rice cake was still available. My favorite dishes, like braised pork intestines and rice sausage, were all sold out, but the owner kindly served me some pig skin instead. The side dishes were quite tasty, especially the dried tofu.

When the rice cake arrived, I couldn’t help but laugh (was this a “leaning” rice cake?). The biggest fear with tube rice cake is that it might turn out too soggy, lose its shape, or have a poor texture. But this one only tilted slightly when served and didn’t collapse. Taking a bite of the sticky rice, it was chewy and distinct—definitely good-quality rice. The braising sauce at the bottom was incredibly fragrant.

The highlight of the rice cake is the ring of fatty skin on top. It’s been braised until soft and flavorful, though a bit thin. In the middle, there’s fried shallots and a bit of lean meat—a familiar traditional taste that left me wanting just a little more.

The rice cake whet my appetite, so I ordered a bowl of dry noodles and wonton soup. The dry noodles somehow reminded me of the “Fa Zi Mian” from Changhua. The wontons were decent, though the soup had a rather strong flavor of fried shallots. All in all, it’s a decent spot to stop by for a meal.

Aces Qingshui Rice Cake
Address: No. 681, Section 1, Zhongyang Road, Wuqi District, Taichung City
Business Hours: 11:00 AM – 7:30 PM

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