The Lunar New Year Goods Street opens for sales this weekend!

Written / Reported by Li Xinyi

The Lunar New Year is approaching, and Taipei’s Lunar New Year Goods Street (Dihua Street) will open for business tomorrow (1/7). This year, the prices of Lunar New Year goods have risen slightly by 4% compared to last year. Among them, Mexican wheel abalone and Hokkaido scallops have seen relatively larger price increases. On the other hand, ingredients commonly used in preparing New Year dishes such as garlic and daylily, as well as Argentine squid which is popular among the public, have seen their prices fall instead of rise. Snacks that consumers often buy during the New Year, such as peanuts and sunflower seeds, have remained stable in price.

Jian Hongchun, Chairman of the Taipei Cereal and Grain Trade Association, said that when selecting southern and northern groceries, one can consider three aspects: color, appearance, and taste. For example, high-quality Taiwanese black fungus has the following characteristics: the surface is jet-black and glossy, the back is grayish, the mushroom pieces are slightly spread out, it is easy to crumble when pinched, the pieces have good flexibility, there is no off-flavor in taste, and it has a fresh fragrance. In addition, it is recommended to purchase from reputable stores. Even for loose products, make sure to confirm details such as origin, price, and grade labeling.

During the Lunar New Year Goods Street event from January 7 to January 21, the “Taipei Good Gifts Collection” located on the second floor of Yongle Market has teamed up with well-known gift shops in Taipei. In addition to ordering famous local souvenirs here, the public can also get free blessing cards to write down their New Year wishes. Starting on the 7th, there will also be value-packed hundred-dollar lucky bags on-site, with the grand prize being a Taipei Underground Mall shopping voucher worth NT$16,000! Meanwhile, Taipei Mayor Hao Longbin will visit Dihua Street, Ningxia Business District, and Rongbin Business District on January 7, 10, and 15 respectively to celebrate the New Year with the public and personally distribute Dragon Year lucky money. Nearly 2,000 of these lucky money envelopes contain special discounts and offers from the Lunar New Year Goods Business District!