Eat to your heart’s content — 7 highlights of the Food Expo “revealed”!

▲ The Food Expo is all about eating!

Reported and photographed by Huang Shiyuan, Taipei

Taiwan’s Food Expo begins today (21st) and runs for four days at Taipei World Trade Center Hall 1. But with six major exhibition zones like “Art of Dining,” do you find it hard to decide where to start? Don’t worry — ETNEWS has compiled seven must-see highlights from the event, including hotel meal vouchers, complimentary hotel tastings, a street of classic Taiwanese shops, a diverse Taipei district food pavilion, railway bento boxes from four countries, and a colorful lineup of chef demonstrations by hotel chefs.


▲ Hotel vouchers from Regent Taipei are in high demand.

Hotel Meal Vouchers
As in previous years, participating hotels are highlighting meal vouchers. Five-star hotel vouchers are discounted up to 48% off, and accommodation vouchers worth tens of thousands are available at up to 84% off. The busiest booths are those of Regent Taipei and Miramar Hotel. Regent Taipei’s Park Lane offers a weekday afternoon tea set for four at a 10% discount, while Miramar’s Colorful Buffet Afternoon Tea flash sale features couple vouchers priced at NT$1,000 each, limited per day.


▲ Minglu Roast Duck from Tiancheng Hotel Group.

Free Hotel Tastings
The Food Expo officially opened today (21st). In addition to the various exhibition zones, chefs’ skill showcases, cooking competitions, tasty snacks, and the most popular hotel meal vouchers, the hotels in the expo area also offer free tasting activities. Examples include Minglu Roast Duck and ribeye steak from Tiancheng Hotel Group, eel rice from Miramar Hotel, beef noodles from Grand Hotel Taipei, fish ball rice noodles and freshly grilled steak from Lihay Wyndham Grand Villas Resort in Yilan — ensuring you can both explore and eat during the expo.


▲ Gao Ji Xiao Long Bao (soup dumplings).

Classic Taiwan Shops
The “Delicious Times” event, launched by the Ministry of Economic Affairs under the theme “100+ Timeless Shops, Happiness in Taiwanese Flavors,” invites 28 local eateries that have been in business for over 20 years. These include Gao Ji, Lao Jin Long, Mian Xian Dao, and Chef Deng’s Gourmet Dishes. Visitors can enjoy dishes such as pork knuckle with potatoes, Hakka cuisine, TV champion-style clear beef noodle soup, Hua Diao chicken pot, cantaloupe stir-fried clams, and Shanghai pan-fried soup dumplings.


▲ Oyster omelet from Zhong Cheng Hao.

Taipei District Food Pavilion
Organized by the Taipei City Government, the Taipei District Food Pavilion showcases the diverse characteristics of Taipei’s various districts by gathering local delicacies. Highlights include the famous oyster omelet from Zhong Cheng Hao, Shilin frog eggs, Hai Rui meatballs, and Grid American Restaurant. With your admission ticket and an EasyCard, you can exchange for a NT$50 discount voucher at the service counter (valid for purchases over NT$100).

▲ The kawaii-designed Ekiben (railway bento) from Japan’s Enoden railway is a huge hit. (Photo / by reporter Lai Wenxuan)

Railway Bento Boxes from 4 Countries
The Taiwan Railways Administration’s 3rd Railway Bento Festival is also being held in the Food Expo this year, featuring a variety of bento boxes from 12 railway companies across Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, and Switzerland. The “Valais Flavor Bento” from Switzerland’s Glacier Express makes its debut this year. From Japan, a total of 10 railway companies are participating, including the Hokkaido-based Donan Fisheries Fire Railway’s squid rice, which is cooked with squid from Hokkaido waters and Hokkaido rice — 50 were sold out in just 15 minutes. Taiwan Railways has also specially introduced the “TRA Clay Pot Rice,” served in Yingge ceramic pots so visitors can keep the pot as a souvenir after enjoying their meal.


▲ 24 chefs serving dishes.

Chef Showcases by Colorful Hotels
Upon entering to the right of the entrance, you’ll find a stunningly beautiful exhibition area — the Colorful Taiwan Theme Pavilion of the Food Expo. The Taiwan Tourism Bureau has invited 24 hotel and restaurant chefs who take turns serving dishes daily. They present a range of cuisines, including Asian, vegetarian, European, and desserts. Chefs will also be on-site from 11:00 to 12:00 for face-to-face interactions with visitors.


▲ The Xinying Service Area booth, featuring Le Ning Hamburgers, gives out Le Ning Shorts Cards daily between 12:00 and 16:00. Wearing shorts plus one card lets you exchange for a mini burger.

Highway Service Areas
Within the Food Journey Theme Pavilion, there’s a section themed around domestic highway service areas, showcasing famous local snacks sold at major rest stops. The most unique is the Xinying Service Area, where Le Ning Hamburgers are featured. Between 12:00 and 16:00 daily, Le Ning Shorts Cards are handed out. Wearing shorts plus one card gets you a mini burger, or if you’re not wearing shorts, just collect two cards for the same reward.