Kaohsiung’s Classic Snack Stalls – Generous Portions of Refreshing Spring Rolls and Chewy Peanut Zongzi

Text & Photos /Xiaohu’s Dream Food Blog

Although Taiwan isn’t very large, there are still some differences in eating habits between the north and the south. Even dishes or snacks with the same names can vary slightly. Today, I’m introducing the spring rolls, four-ingredient soup, and meat zongzi from this third-generation spring roll shop. Their texture and flavor are just a little different from those in the north. This difference might not be so obvious visually, but that’s also what makes Taiwan’s snack culture so intricate and fascinating. Just imagine if every dish tasted and looked the same no matter where you ate it—how boring would food discussions be, right? Right? Right?

Earlier this month, while in Kaohsiung on business, as usual, I flipped through the Taiwan High-Speed Rail magazine on the train and came across a column by Mr. Shu Guozhi that mentioned this spring roll shop I was quite interested in. I checked the location—it wasn’t far from my friend’s place—so I figured I’d kill two birds with one stone and meet up here.

The third-generation spring roll shop is right at the beautifully chaotic Exit 1 of Formosa Boulevard Station. You can practically see it as soon as you step out of the MRT exit—it’s very easy to find.

If you look closely, you’ll notice a small semi-circular corner packed with several snack stalls, and almost every one of them is bustling with customers—business is booming.

The third-generation spring roll shop doesn’t just sell spring rolls; they also offer rice cakes, meat zongzi, peanut zongzi, and four-ingredient soup, all at prices that are indeed a bit cheaper compared to Taipei.

A plate of spring roll fillings may look similar at first glance but has subtle differences. The most noticeable is the cabbage—the main ingredient in the spring rolls. Its color is simpler, not slightly yellowish like in Taipei due to added curry, and it’s drier and more refreshing, not as soft and mushy as in Taipei. Another big difference in the ingredients is the presence of sausages.

Peanut zongzi – 30 TWD. There isn’t much peanut powder, and it doesn’t have any particularly distinctive flavor. The sauce is slightly sweet, lacking the savory umami from soy sauce, but it suits my taste just fine. The meat zongzi, with barely visible rice grains, has a slightly dry and chewy texture, almost cake-like and sticky. The flavor is also quite different from the zongzi I’m used to...

As for the four-ingredient soup (35 TWD), it doesn’t have much of a traditional herbal taste upon first bite. Instead, it’s more like a plain intestine soup. The intestines are cooked quite soft, taste good, and don’t have any off-putting flavors.

The spring rolls are 40 TWD each and are quite large—those with smaller appetites might feel full after just one. The ingredients inside are also quite substantial, making the roll feel heavy when picked up.

When you unwrap the spring roll, you’ll notice there’s absolutely no moisture seeping out—or even visible moisture—which is completely different from the more juicy spring rolls in Taipei. I suspect it’s because the cabbage inside isn’t blanched again in broth before wrapping, unlike in Taipei, but is instead wrapped directly. The spring roll skin is thin, but possibly due to less moisture, the flavor is simpler, allowing you to actually taste the skin itself. With a big bite, the crispness of the cabbage bursts forth, followed by the flavors of the other ingredients gradually emerging, but in the end, the dominant note is still the generous amount of cabbage.

Ingredients like sausages, tofu, egg strips, and even minced garlic are visible but not very prominent in taste. This might be due to my less refined palate, or perhaps I’m just not used to such a refreshing spring roll flavor.

Also, my most anticipated braised pork in the spring roll is replaced with sliced pork in Kaohsiung—another difference between northern and southern spring rolls. In conclusion, the flavor of these spring rolls is quite different from the ones I prefer from the north. To put it simply, they’re a more refreshing version.

Third-Generation Spring Rolls
Address: No. 1 Zhongshan Heng Road, Xinxing District, Kaohsiung City (Exit 1 of Formosa Boulevard Station)
Phone: 07-2858490
Business Hours: 10:00–21:00

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