Text by MOOK Scenic Spots Zhang Yingying, compiled and reported
The 2016 Taoyuan Land Art Festival featured a uniquely meaningful and delicious experience. Unlike the land art that visitors could admire on location, the fishing-net haul-in rice experience was a nostalgic activity where the local "Xinyi Love Hometown Association" gathered community moms to cook authentic fishing-net haul-in rice dishes using seasonal ingredients. Visitors could feel the stories of the past, as if stepping into a time tunnel and rediscovering vintage flavors.
The Taoyuan Land Art Festival included the nostalgic fishing-net haul-in rice experience as part of its program, receiving an enthusiastic response and many sign-ups. (Photo by MOOK Scenic Spots Zhang Yingying)
Fishing-net haul-in (pronounced guˇ) was one of Taiwan’s unique traditional fishing methods, known in English as Taiwanese Beach Seine. This shows that this fishing technique is distinctive to Taiwan. The method involves using a sampan to drag and spread a fishing net into the sea when fish gather and approach the shore, with both ends of the net fixed on the shore. Once the fish are surrounded by the net, dozens of fishermen work together to pull the net ashore, and the catch is then divided among them. Because this fishing method requires all fishermen to cooperate and pull with maximum effort to haul in the catch quickly, it is now often used in Taiwan as an event to demonstrate and encourage teamwork and unity.
The delicious fishing-net haul-in rice carries the taste of home—more than just “delicious,” it gives you a feeling of “warmth.” (Photo by MOOK Scenic Spots Zhang Yingying)
Fishing-net haul-in rice was the bento prepared by the fishermen’s mothers or wives for their loved ones out at sea. It came in metal lunchboxes, with soup at the bottom, rice and main dishes in the middle, and side dishes on top—rich, tasty, and full of nostalgic vintage flavor. The complete fishing-net haul-in rice lunchbox costs 150 NTD, and an extra fee is charged if you wish to take the metal lunchbox home. For details, please contact the Xinyi Love Hometown Association. There is also a simulated stone weir fishing experience, which not only offers insight into the wisdom of ancestors using stone weirs to catch fish but is also a lot of fun to try—perfect for families with kids.
At the Xinyi Love Hometown Association, you can enjoy a peaceful rural atmosphere and participate in simulated stone weir fishing activities. (Photo by MOOK Scenic Spots Zhang Yingying)
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