Production exceeds 100,000 fish — head to Hsinchu’s Mullet Festival for a taste

▲ Sweet girls promote mullet dishes at the Hsinchu Mullet Festival. (Photo / Provided by Hsinchu County Government)

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

“This year’s production has exceeded 100,000 fish!” said the Hsinchu County Government. As the weather turns colder and mullet enter peak season, this year’s Hsinchu Mullet Festival kicks off on November 2 at Zhubei’s Baizi Cave. The event will feature sales of the “Three Treasures of Mullet” — mullet maw, mullet stomach, and mullet roe. The county government will also offer 1,000 free servings of mullet rice noodles for visitors to try, along with a mullet-themed souvenir lucky draw, ensuring attendees get both a taste and a takeaway.

▲ Mullet dishes at the festival, including the innovative and eye-catching “Mullet Roe Macaron Skewers” (center-bottom in the photo). (Photo / Provided by Hsinchu County Government)

This year’s Mullet Festival runs from 9 a.m. on the 9th for two days. Unlike previous years, in addition to promoting 8,000 mullet, the event will also feature displays and sales of farmed specialties such as grouper, grass shrimp, clams, and milkfish. Rare delicacies like Chinese mitten crabs and trout will also be on show. The county government noted that the event will include singing performances, magic shows, and interactive games for the public to participate in.

The Hsinchu Fishermen’s Association stated that Hsinchu County’s mullet roe has a unique texture and flavor thanks to the strong Northeast Monsoon winds in the area. With over a decade of technical collaboration with the Council of Agriculture’s Fisheries Research Institute and academic institutions, the development of all-female farming techniques has even earned it recognition three years in a row as one of Taiwan’s Top Ten Quality Mullet Roe products. The association also pointed out that due to rising electricity and feed costs this year, mullet production expenses have increased, which may lead to a slight price adjustment.