Crying shame: Hualien loses its late-night eats — Gongzheng Baozi and Miao Kou Black Tea no longer 24/7

▲Heartbreaking news: The well-known Hualien eatery “Miao Kou Black Tea” is no longer open 24 hours a day. (Photo / Eastern TV News)

Reported by Travel Center / Hualien

Hualien boasts numerous 24-hour food spots, including the hugely popular Gongzheng Baozi, Zhou Family Steamed Dumplings, and Miao Kou Black Tea on social media. Even during late-night hours, these spots remain bustling and are considered essential dining stops for many visitors. Butin recent years, the number of independent mainland Chinese tourists has dropped by 30%, shops are unable to hire enough employees, and have thus given up on 24-hour operations. Both travelers and local residents are expressing disappointment and frustration, lamenting that there’s now nothing to eat late at night in Hualien.

At the famous “Gongzheng Baozi” eatery in Hualien, seven or eight staff members huddle inside the shop, deftly wrapping filling into dough and folding the buns — their hands never stop. On holidays, the place is packed, and 24-hour service made it a top pick for many tourists. But nowthe owners lament, “No one wants to work these hours!” They’ve changed their operating hours and now close at 7 pm, cutting back both hours and staff.

%These spots were go-tos for many visitors exploring Hualien. (#Image source: Eastern TV News)

The neighboring well-known “Zhou Family Steamed Dumplings” faces the same staffing shortage and can no longer operate around the clock. The shop says it now closes at 1:30 or 2 am, but if they can hire more staff, they’ll return to 24-hour service. These two iconic eateries, which have thrived for decades, are no longer operating at their former glory. In recent years, due to staffing issues, they’ve opted out of staying open all night, leaving many foodies deeply disappointed. They’re lamenting that there are hardly any good options left for late-night eats in Hualien, and with such limited choices, it's really quite inconvenient.

It’s not just locals who are missing out on late-night snacks; many unaware tourists also show up to find the shops already closing. Those who come in the middle of the night often find the doors nearly shut and are forced to look elsewhere. Even the renowned Miao Kou Black Tea has followed suit, shutting up shop at 2 am. At that hour, they urge customers to hurry up, offering only takeout. The once-ever-open late-night joints are seeing business drop, not only because they can’t hire workers, but also as a result of shortened operating hours.

%Locals and tourists alike are saddened by these changes. Shop owners are helpless, and the workforce shortage is making things tough. (#Image source: Eastern TV News)