Fried shrimp rolls wrapped in pig’s mesentery, a Tainan specialty, can also be found in Kaohsiung!

Photos and text byShadow

On the bustling Zili 1st Road, where various shops line the street, what caught our eye was a shop with a blue sign that read “Tainan Amu Shrimp Rolls.” The store has some history and stands in contrast to the newer shops around it, clearly retaining the layout of an old-fashioned eatery. As we searched our memories of snacks we’ve tried before, we realized there aren’t many shrimp roll vendors in Kaohsiung, which made it even more intriguing. We decided to stop and give it a try.

The shop is run by an elderly couple. The interior is simple and clean, and we especially noticed that the business hours go until 4 a.m. Suddenly, we felt a bit of sympathy—working through the cold winter nights at their age is truly admirable.


They don’t offer many items here. Aside from shrimp rolls, they also serve fish ball soup with rice vermicelli or noodles. They also sell raw shrimp rolls (160 NTD per box, can be frozen for up to a month) for customers to take home and cook themselves. The shrimp rolls served on-site are made to order and deep-fried fresh, requiring about five minutes of waiting time.


The dining area is set up in the corridor. We noticed the sign outside still reads “Public Xinxing Second Market,” so this must have been an old traditional market. It’s unclear whether this public market is still in operation today.

Though the shop only sells two items, it has managed to stay in business all these years, proving that the elderly couple’s craftsmanship stands the test of time for food enthusiasts. We quickly ordered our dishes and found seats, eagerly waiting for the delicious fish ball soup and shrimp rolls.


The fish ball soup comes with the option of adding either noodles or rice vermicelli. Small bowl: 40 NTD, large bowl: 50 NTD.


Rice vermicelli soup: 50 NTD for a large bowl. This version uses fish ball soup as the base and adds rice vermicelli—a common way of eating it in Taiwan. The flavor and preparation of this fish ball soup from Tainan naturally lean toward the Tainan style. Although the broth is noticeably sweet, it doesn’t feel overly strange. A splash of black vinegar makes it incredibly delicious and just to our taste.

The delicate rice vermicelli soaks up the fish ball soup, and the added tanginess of the vinegar amplifies the flavor. This big bowl of rice vermicelli soup was finished in no time.


Noodle soup: 40 NTD for a small bowl. The oil noodles slide smoothly into your mouth along with the fish ball soup. The broth has the aroma of dried small fish and the texture of shredded bamboo shoots. The hint of minced garlic enhances the overall flavor.


The irregularly shaped fish balls indicate they are handmade. The plump and firm fish paste has a bouncy texture, making this a very satisfying bowl of noodles.

The shrimp rolls are 20 NTD each (photo shows two). When the freshly fried shrimp rolls were served, the owner kindly reminded us that they would be hot. But we couldn’t wait and quickly took a bite—indeed, they were very hot inside. Those who have had Tainan shrimp rolls know that they are made by wrapping ingredients in pig’s mesentery and then deep-frying them. Tainan is particularly famous nationwide for Zhou-style shrimp rolls.

Shrimp rolls always include shrimp, celery, and lean pork, and should be dipped in wasabi and soy sauce paste for the authentic Tainan shrimp roll experience. The shop’s shrimp rolls are slightly smaller than Zhou-style ones, and the ingredients aren’t as refined, but they still have all the essential flavors—overall, they’re pretty good.


Some people have missed the taste of their hometown in Tainan after trying this shop’s fish ball soup. Whether it’s the authentic Tainan flavor or not, it evokes nostalgia for traditional, old-fashioned tastes. Simple cooking with exceptional care—definitely worth recommending. Friends passing by, why not stop for a bowl of this classic snack?




[Tainan Amu Shrimp Rolls]

Address:No. 36, Zili 1st Road, Xinxing District, Kaohsiung City
Phone:07-2858959
Business Hours:16:00～04:00
Closed:Tuesdays
ShadowSpecializes in introducing local snacks from Kaohsiung and Pingtung. Hopes to find more food buddies through sharing~ Also welcome everyone to share your hidden gourmet spots on the “Food Buddies” graffiti wall by leaving the address, shop name, and recommended dishes. A food review will be shared with you soon!

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