Commissioned by Madame Chiang, Miss Kung’s Daughter Created Yuan Yuan Restaurant, Aromatic for Decades

The Kuomintang regime held significant influence in Taiwan, and many family anecdotes have become topics of conversation over the years. When speaking of the women of the Chiang family, one cannot forget Madame Chiang Kai-shek, the eternal First Lady. As President Chiang Kai-shek’s most reliable support, she not only managed household affairs but also frequently spoke on the international stage. Among the many stories, the Grand Hotel Taipei—planned and established under her direction—remains an iconic landmark in the Taipei Basin to this day, its majestic Chinese palace-style architecture rivaling even Taipei 101.

With a history of over 60 years, the Grand Hotel Taipei houses four restaurants, each with its own distinctive features and purposes. Among them, “Yuan Yuan” was specially commissioned by Madame Chiang to cater to her husband’s love for hometown cuisine, with Miss Kung’s daughter personally overseeing its creation. The Jiangsu and Zhejiang dim sum at Yuan Yuan has been aromatic for decades, and Madame Chiang’s favorite red bean sponge cake originates from here.

In the past, the red bean sponge cake at Yuan Yuan was made exclusively for Madame Chiang alone, and outsiders had no chance to taste it. After her passing in 2003, the Grand Hotel Taipei began offering the red bean sponge cake in limited daily quantities as a tribute to her memory, and it has since become the hotel’s most sought-after souvenir.

As the festive season approaches, Yuan Yuan has also crafted a set menu of Jiangsu-Zhejiang delicacies that once delighted President Chiang and his wife. For a 10-person takeout New Year’s meal, the set includes dishes such as Shaoxing Drunken Chicken Leg, Ningbo-Style Smoked Fish, Secret Braised Beef Shank, Stir-Fried Live Shrimp, Spicy Dried Cauliflower, Steamed Grouper with Chili Sauce, Korean Mushroom Braised Whole Chicken, Abalone Steamed Rice Cake, Zhenjiang Pork Trotter, and Imperial Red Bean Sponge Cake. Each dish carries the legacy of history, allowing families to enjoy royal cuisine at their reunion dinner table.