It's also a marketplace, art and cultural space, and performance venue—a retro vegetarian restaurant in Kaohsiung!

Text and photos byShadow

Can you believe it? This building is already a century old. Originally an abandoned ruin, a group of young people came here, fell in love with everything about the place, and began renovating the old structure. After months of hard work, they achieved what you see today. The space now serves as a venue for markets, movie screenings, and performances by art and culture groups, and also houses a small canteen. Through these young friends who are passionate about local culture and the arts—and driven by their animal-friendly philosophy—the focus is on plant-based cuisine, aiming to promote the concept of vegetarianism.

How do you find this super hidden spot? We searched for ages before we found the canteen’s location. First, locate the Kaitai Fude Temple, then follow the small path next to the temple uphill.

Just head up this path—that’s the way. Motorbikes can get through, but drivers will need to park outside and walk in. The area in front of the temple is reserved for worshippers, and general visitors can’t park there.

This path is also part of the Takao British Consulate Scenic Walkway, and there are also signs from the shop nearby. It’s just a few steps from the sign to the shop entrance.

The name “Beng Mi Pang” came about because, while cleaning the house, the group discovered an old popcorn-popping machine, which inspired them to name the place Beng Mi Pang. They started the renovation in April of this year and opened in October.

On the left is an open-air cinema that shows public domain films every Friday evening—no extra charge. The other side is the kitchen for the small canteen.

Stepping into the century-old house, the layout hasn’t changed much. The parts of the original wooden roof that had rotted were handled by professionals, so there are no safety concerns. The vintage furniture was also collected gradually over time and complements the old house beautifully.

The tableware is placed on low bookshelves, blending perfectly into the space without looking out of place.

Another small room is set up as a dining area, also using old furniture, with curtains specially chosen for their retro elements. The paintings on the wall are the work of one of the partners.

The space at the back of the house is used for music and theater performances. Various groups perform here from time to time, and admission to the performances costs money.

Now that you’ve seen the layout of the century-old house, let’s talk about the food. The menu changes daily and isn’t fixed—it’s adjusted according to seasonal ingredients. The restaurant insists on cooking dishes to order, so please be patient.

The vegetarian dishes include alliums, but if you’re strictly vegan, you’ll need to inform the staff in advance.

● ETtoday News Cloud reminds you: don’t drink and drive, and don’t drive after drinking.

Pumpkin Soup – NT$60

When stirring the soup, you can feel how thick it is. Made by sautéing pumpkin and onions until caramelized and then simmering, the rich flavor of pumpkin bursts on your tongue with a hint of sweet onion—this layered, delicious soup has great depth.

Black Pepper Mushroom Omelet Burger – NT$160

Specially sourced Malaysian Portobello mushrooms, known for being large, meaty, and juicy, along with eggs from a humane free-range farm, and a bouncy burger bun. The black pepper and mushroom flavors shine—it’s clear the restaurant puts great care into its ingredients.

Hearty corn chips paired with homemade salsa make for a tasty combo. The salsa is loaded with diced tomatoes, offering a refreshing and slightly tangy taste that leaves no heavy feeling afterward.

Asparagus Pesto Risotto – NT$230

Made with Australian asparagus and Malaysian Portobello mushrooms, and topped with pine nuts for a touch of elegance. Even without any meat, the risotto shines thanks to the richness of the pesto.

Italian Herb-Roasted Vegetables – NT$150

Seasonal vegetables are lightly roasted and seasoned with Italian herbs to create an unexpectedly delicious plate of roasted veggies. Ingredients include yellow zucchini, green zucchini, chestnut squash, eggplant, garlic, potatoes, and red onion. With not-too-complicated preparation, you taste the pure flavors of the ingredients.

The final dessert is a baked custard—we forgot to ask the price.

The baked custard has a fairly firm texture, but you realize it’s served cold when you take a bite. The top layer is a freshly torched caramel that adds a sweet layer of flavor to the custard.

Meinong Charcoal-Baked Grass Jelly Tea – NT$50/cup

The grass jelly tea was introduced to us by a friend from Meinong, who recommended an elderly man who sells grass jelly. Interestingly, the man only uses charcoal to boil the grass jelly, resulting in a uniquely mellow and rich flavor.

I've been seeing this Takao Beer around a lot lately. Too bad we’re driving and can’t drink, but a friend who’s tried it said it tastes pretty good.

● ETtoday News Cloud reminds you: Don’t drink and drive, and don’t drive if you’ve been drinking.

Such a unique business card—its retro feel really matches the vibe here.

A place that combines art and culture with dining is truly rare in Kaohsiung. The five idealistic partners are all people who care deeply about this land. Beyond promoting vegetarian cuisine, the shop also quietly provides a performance space for non-mainstream art groups to share their ideas. It’s quite a special establishment. Friends who love art, culture, or vintage things will find it well worth a visit to learn more.

BENG MI PANG Performance Space

Address: No. 39, Lane 32, Anhai St., Gushan District, Kaohsiung City
Phone: 0912-046397
Business Hours: Thu–Sun 17:00–00:00
Closed: Mon–Wed

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