Tainan boasts over 600 types of street food — The Tainan Food Festival kicks off on the 9th, showcasing true "kung fu"

▲ Tainan Mayor Lai Qingde participates in the press conference for the launch of the "2016 Tainan Food Festival." (Photo / Provided by the city government)

Reporter Lin Yue / Reported from Tainan City

The "2016 Tainan Food Festival" will run from October 9 to December 1, with this year’s theme centered around "kung fu." The event will feature five major series of activities, and will incorporate pork floss into a popular real-life escape game, allowing visitors to explore Tainan’s food culture from unique perspectives.

Tainan Mayor Lai Qingde said that the term "kung fu" represents the true skill and dedication chefs put into preparing each dish. When pronounced in Taiwanese as "tsiok-kang," it also conveys the heartfelt hospitality and emotion Tainan people express through their cuisine. He welcomes friends from across the country to visit Tainan for its delicious food and to experience the cultural richness behind it.

Lai noted that Tainan has been recognized by international media as a food capital, not only because of its delicious cuisine, but also due to the "culture" embedded within the dishes, which he believes is one of the most important factors. He expressed gratitude to all participating businesses and friends, and hopes this series of events will showcase the refinement, craftsmanship, hospitality, and heartfelt emotion behind Tainan’s food.

Now in its sixth year, the Tainan Food Festival has become a flagship event for tourism in the city, attracting countless food enthusiasts every year. Lai personally introduced this year’s lineup, including the “Chef’s Grand Banquet” thousand-person feast, the “Battle of the Chefs” live cooking showcase, the “Soy Sauce & Rice Dojo” outdoor experience tour, the “Dim Sum Banquet” featuring Tainan street snacks, and the newly launched “Pork Floss Heroes” real-life escape game.

Renowned author Wang Haoyi also attended the event. He pointed out that Tainan street food is naturally exquisite, and according to his research, there are at least 600 types — an astonishing figure.He expressed great anticipation for this year’s festival, as it will not only allow attendees to sample local snacks, but also showcase dishes made by hotel chefs using seasonal ingredients, demonstrating how Tainan’s humble street food can be transformed into high-end culinary presentations.

Tainan cuisine is diverse and unique. Visitors to this year’s food festival can enjoy a wide array of authentic dishes, learn about the meanings and stories behind each one through explanations by expert commentators, and even take on the role of martial arts heroes in the escape game, venturing into Tainan’s alleys in search of various pork floss delicacies.

Additionally, participants in the outdoor experience tours can visit rice mills or factories to taste rice and soy sauce firsthand. Beyond learning professional skills, participants will also receive honorary certificates. Therefore, attending the food festival is no longer just about eating and taking photos — it’s an opportunity for visitors to learn and understand the culture and origins of Tainan’s culinary traditions while enjoying themselves.