Wait an hour in line? A must-try budget snack in Chiayi – Liu Lizhang’s Turkey Rice

Text & Photos /Gui Xiaosun

Last weekend we headed south, starting with the ‘Kapu Show Time Capsule Sightseeing Factory’ in Minxiong, Chiayi, then visited ‘Liu Lizhang’s Turkey Rice’ and ‘Kui Mi Pearl’ in downtown Chiayi. In the evening we arrived in Tainan and met up with friends, staying at the latest ‘Soul Salon’ in Soul Apartments. The next morning we had a bowl of Tainan’s savory congee, then drove to Kaohsiung’s newest ‘MLD Taiyu’ to hang out with friends!! ^~^ This two-day itinerary was a slow and fulfilling adventure!!

That day I saw aiko write: ‘Only on the journey can we truly find ourselves’. I always feel that every two or three days away feels like a week, four or five days like a month... so many memories bouncing around in my brain cells... I think it’s because our usual routine work dulls our sense of novelty... even causing stagnation!! Only when we truly step out do we gain life!!

Actually, for lunch in Chiayi this time, we were also considering going to the nearby Dong Market Beef Offal Soup... But who knew that after passing ‘Liu Lizhang’s Turkey Rice’ and seeing the crowd, we were drawn in anyway!! But I must say, everyone should be mentally prepared!! You might end up waiting an hour (30 minutes in line, 30 minutes waiting for food), and only spend 20 minutes eating it all!! Hahaha XD

Here’s a tip: whether you’re dining in or taking out, you still have to queue with the crowd!! But for dine-in, it’s best if your group splits up – one person goes ahead to find a seat!! Both first and second floors have seating, and there’s more space on the second floor... while another person gets in line right away!! This saves time!! ^~^ And remember to check your table number clearly when dining in, and tell the queuing person (luckily now we have LINE to report in real-time)!! Otherwise, if no seat is specified, the boss will ask you to wait aside @@

This ‘Liu Lizhang’s Turkey Rice’ place really shocked us with how many people there were!! We’ve been to Chiayi several times and tried turkey rice from Wenhua Road, the Fountain one, etc... but this ‘Liu Lizhang’s Turkey Rice’ had the most people!! We waited the longest time... And it’s not because they serve slowly – it’s just that the crowd is... unbelievably huge, shocking even!! I think it’s because many locals love this place too XD

We finally managed it – one person ordered and paid... and then the boss said we had to wait another 20 minutes!! The feeling was really mixed!! Wanting the food but also so hungry... @@ When we got to the second floor, it had gone from packed to almost ready for an afternoon break... we were the last ones @@

But I must say... although snacks are usually not so strict about these things, personally I think they could limit ordering times at the counter!! Like stopping orders at 1:30pm if they close at 2pm... and waiting for customers to leave before putting chairs back on tables would be better!! @@ We were surrounded by chairs... it felt really weird... I remember once at a Hong Kong-style dim sum place where they swept the floor right next to our table... honestly, it was almost too much!!

Twenty minutes later, we were seriously starving!!! All our dishes arrived at once!! We ordered two bowls of sliced turkey rice, a boiled egg, chives, pork skin, sausage, and a milkfish belly soup... totaling around 290 NT$. I must say, ‘Liu Lizhang’s Turkey Rice’ is really delicious!! Especially the broth, rice grains, and turkey slices in the rice – they’re so good you’ll finish it all in no time!! XD

The side dishes were also great!! The only thing my friend really noticed afterward was... there was way too much soy paste!! XD I’m not sure if that’s a Chiayi specialty... but it leaves you wanting a juice or cold drink afterward – your mouth feels so salty...

And this bowl of half a milkfish belly soup was so fresh and sweet!! I really love the milkfish from Chiayi and Tainan – whether made into soup or pan-fried, it’s all delicious!! There’s zero fishy smell, the flesh is tender!! Every bite is praise-worthy, and drinking the soup is addictive... you’ll finish the whole bowl!! XD

It seems this is the first time I’ve returned to ‘Chiayi’ this year!! When I get the chance, I’ll do a two-day-one-night trip here and try all the local delicacies!! Hehe XD

Liu Lizhang’s Turkey Rice
Address: No. 197, Gongming Rd., East District, Chiayi City
Phone: 05-222-7669
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