Thirty years of perseverance — the delicious taste of "Meat Uncle" wafts through the ancient city

Reported by Cai Mengxiu / Tainan

Exploring Tainan, the capital of gourmet food, you can discover delightful surprises on every street corner. Across from the meteorological observatory on Park Road in Tainan, there's a shabby little shack made of tin, furnished with just a few simple tables and chairs — yet it doesn’t deter food lovers drawn by the aroma. "Meat Uncle" is synonymous with a decades-old eatery. Its authentic turkey rice has accompanied Tainan residents for nearly sixty years. Despite the passage of time, this humble tin-roofed shack still serves the same unchanged flavor — a shared memory for many in Tainan.

You don’t have to go to Chiayi to enjoy authentic-tasting turkey rice. The gourmet capital of Tainan also offers the same delicious experience. This popular dish, which originated in Chiayi, doesn’t become more expensive just because it crosses a county line. Without genuine skill, it wouldn’t pass the discerning taste tests of Tainan locals, let alone become a recommended local favorite.

Meat Uncle has been around for over 30 years since it opened in 1981. The shabby old tin shack and a few tables and chairs are always packed during mealtimes. The menu on the wall doesn’t offer many choices, but besides the signature turkey rice, the other dishes are also all related to “turkey.”

The turkey rice served at the table gives off a faint, enticing aroma. Upon closer inspection, each grain of rice is shiny and oily — the secret to its deliciousness. Before serving each bowl, the owner ladles a spoonful of what looks like “broth” over the turkey rice. It turns out to be a specially prepared “turkey sauce.” With this step, the taste truly transforms from ordinary to extraordinary.

▲ The rice and turkey, glistening with the turkey sauce, are so appetizing you’ll be ready to dig in. (Photo by reporter Cai Mengxiu)

In addition to using “turkey sauce” to season the rice, Meat Uncle also uses crisp pickled melon instead of regular cucumber for a more appetizing touch. The portions are generous, with plenty of turkey meat, and each bowl of rice is priced at NT$40. The shop also offers sliced turkey, with customers able to choose their preferred cuts, all priced uniformly at NT$60. A combination of turkey rice and a meat platter is the most popular choice among patrons.

▲ A bowl of rice paired with a sliced turkey platter is the most frequently ordered combo. The turkey slices are also drizzled with turkey sauce, offering a sweet and tender taste without any dry or chewy texture. (Photo by reporter Cai Mengxiu)

Owner Liao Shoufang of Meat Uncle Turkey Rice explains that both the quality of the meat and the rice are crucial to good flavor. Generally, the larger the turkey, the more tender the meat and the richer the flavorful fat — though it also requires a 10-month growth period. The turkeys used at the shop come from Xiaying in Tainan, freshly slaughtered and delivered for optimal freshness. The shop goes through at least three turkeys a day. Additionally, high-quality rice is key to a good reputation. Each bowl of turkey rice uses premium rice, with a single 30-jin bag costing around NT$1,200.

Liao further points out that the key to the delicious “turkey sauce” isn’t complicated. It involves removing the fat from the turkey’s breast and neck, then simmering it in water. The shop usually prepares two batches of turkey sauce: one seasoned with soy sauce and salt, which is drizzled over the turkey rice to enhance aroma, and an unseasoned version used for soup. Any soup or rice dish topped with this “turkey sauce” brings out the natural sweetness of the turkey — no MSG needed.

▲ This is the soy sauce- and salt-seasoned turkey sauce, used to add aroma and color when mixed with rice. (Photo by reporter Cai Mengxiu)

▲ This is the unseasoned turkey sauce, mainly used for soups. Besides enhancing flavor, the natural chicken essence extracted from the turkey retains a naturally sweet taste without added MSG. (Photo by reporter Cai Mengxiu)

▲ In addition to adding chicken essence, the shop’s clear soup is also simmered with turkey bones, resulting in a lighter taste compared to the rich flavor of pork bone broth. (Photo by reporter Cai Mengxiu)

▲ The braised cabbage dish is also a popular item on the menu, braised with turkey sauce for a delicious flavor. (Photo by reporter Cai Mengxiu)

The turkey meat quality and preparation steps may be the same, but why does the quality of turkey rice vary? Liao Shoufang says some vendors skip steps, using turkey meat but topping it with lard or minced pork — the taste naturally can’t compare to the aroma of “turkey sauce.” But even if “turkey sauce” is used, poor-quality meat still falls short. The most critical factor is the cooking time of the turkey. Overcooked meat becomes mushy, while undercooked meat turns dry — but this is the owner’s secret technique, so it’s not publicly disclosed.

Liao Shoufang is originally from Chiayi. He once apprenticed to learn how to make authentic turkey rice but later moved to Tainan due to competition in Chiayi. At the time, he was one of the first in Tainan to sell turkey rice. He naively thought the lack of competition would ensure strong business, but Tainan locals were unfamiliar with turkey and hesitant to try it, leading to tough early days.

▲ Owner Liao Shoufang has sold turkey rice in Tainan for 30 years. Though low-key, he’s very hospitable, and his dedication to local tastes has made his shop a recommended Tainan delicacy. (Photo by reporter Cai Mengxiu)

After long-term adjustments to perfect the flavor and a deep commitment to local roots, the deliciousness of turkey rice gradually spread. Now, thirty years of reputation have earned the shop many loyal customers. Many locals have enjoyed it from childhood through adulthood, from singlehood to marriage — it’s a beloved Tainan delicacy. Even tourists who try it once often seek out Meat Uncle’s turkey rice on return visits.

Local resident Mr. Shi says he’s been a regular at Meat Uncle since middle school. After graduating from high school and working in Taipei, he still comes back for the familiar taste whenever he returns to Tainan. He’s also recommended it to colleagues visiting Tainan, and now it’s a must-try on their return trips.

Shop Information:

Address: No. 12-2, Park Road, West Central District, Tainan City (across from the Tainan Meteorological Observatory)

Phone: 06-2283359

Business Hours: 10:00–20:00

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