A Unique Collection of New Delights at Food Republic Food Street

By Wei Ruyu, Interview & Report

Investing NT$200 million and designed with the retro charm of Taiwan’s 1950s streets, “Food Republic” has made a grand debut at Banqiao Mega City and Top City in Taichung, bringing together over 20 food stalls offering Taiwanese, Japanese, Korean, Italian, Singaporean, and Southeast Asian flavors. Many stalls allow visitors to watch the cooking process up close, and street vendors occasionally pop up on weekends, making you feel as if you’ve traveled back in time to the good old days of Taiwanese cuisine.

At “Food Republic,” you’ll find many delicious offerings not available in ordinary mall food courts, such as Toast Workshop, Pretty Hotpot, and South Pacific Lodi making their Taiwan debuts, as well as first-time appearances by Taiko Pan Oden, Mutekiya Japanese Cuisine, Jinmanyuan Pork Ribs, Guangcheng Vegetarian, Hanji Tiger Noodles, PaPaEgg Japanese-style Egg Patty Workshop, Chengdu Impression Spicy Hotpot... Among them, “Toast Workshop” has received unanimous praise from food critic Hu Tianlan and foodie Xu Tianlin. Its “Kaya Toast” perfectly balances the crispy outside with a soft inside, along with the sweet-and-salty flavor of kaya jam. Also recommended is the combination of Taiwan’s rice vermicelli and the authentic flavors of Singaporean laksa.

Hu Tianlan also loves the oden from “Taiko Pan,” a specialty stall that brings authentic Japanese oden to Taiwan. It offers thirty to forty kinds of representative ingredients from across Japan, including high-quality cheese balls from Tokyo, grilled chikuwa from Tsukiji, the classic codfish tofu, Tokyo’s trendy apple simmered dish, and Fukuoka-style slow-cooked tomatoes... Hu Tianlan said, “The fried burdock tempura here is also delicious, with just the right ratio of fish paste.”

Xu Tianlin also recommends “Lin Yuan Pork Balls” and “Mutekiya Japanese Cuisine.” He feels that the filling-to-wrapper ratio of Lin Yuan Pork Balls is well-balanced, resulting in a non-greasy taste enhanced by the dipping sauce. The pho and handmade squid balls at “Mutekiya Japanese Cuisine” also have good texture and flavor.

“Food Republic” is part of the Singapore-listed BreadTalk® group. Since its establishment in Singapore, it has expanded to over 34 outlets in Malaysia, Hong Kong, China, and Thailand. The group’s chairman, Mr. Kwek Beng Choon, opened his first dragon’s beard candy stall in 1982 at Far Eastern Department Store on Baoqing Road in Taipei. He later developed the Saint Caribbean Snacks chain in various mall food courts before returning to Singapore to found BreadTalk®. Speaking about returning to the Taiwan market, which he considers a second home, Kwek said, “It feels great to be back!” He plans to continue expanding in the future, offering a multi-sensory experience through themed spaces and continuously introducing international food brands to change the public’s perception of food courts and let consumers continually enjoy new culinary trends.

● Read more: Taipei Roundabout Reopens, Showcasing State Banquet Cuisine and Organic Green Living
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