When visiting Tainan with limited time and an endless list of places to eat, why not follow our tips and suggestions? From breakfast to late-night snacks, here’s a quick day tour of the must-try classic eats in the city.
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© MICHELIN
05:00 AM: Hsi Lo Tien Beef Soup
In Tainan, a bowl of freshly cooked, light pink beef soup served at the table is almost a standard breakfast for locals. It's common to see people dragging their luggage to Hsi Lo Tien early in the morning for this comforting dish, which evokes a sense of nostalgia for those returning home. Nowadays, it’s also popular among tourists, eager to experience the "sold out by noon" deliciousness.
Hsi Lo Tien Beef Soup preserves the authentic atmosphere of traditional snack bars, where everything happens right in front of you. The beef is freshly slaughtered and delivered from Shanhua, ensuring top-notch quality. The beef is lightly cooked, around three-quarters done, and the broth is clear and refreshing. The "Sesame Oil Beef Soup" variation is a rare taste in Tainan, and it’s a favourite among locals. For an extra kick, try it with the home-made chilli sauce. The unique "buy beef soup get minced pork rice for free" promotion combo is another great way to experience Tainan’s strong sense of hospitality.
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12:00 PM: A Xing Shi Mu Yu
The Central-Western District is home to many famous Tainan attractions, including Chihkan Tower, Confucius Temple, and the Grand Mazu Temple. In recent years, there have also been cases of old houses and historical sites being revamped, such as Hayashi Department Store, Tainan Art Museum, and Shennong Street, which add a special charm to the area. After finishing the beef soup in the early morning, this area is perfect for a leisurely stroll, serving as an excellent starting point for exploring Tainan. From here, you can head to nearby A Xing Shi Mu Yu for a local "brunch" that Tainan residents also swear by.
This street-side shop, which gets busy from 7:30 AM, serves fresh fish directly from the source. The fried fish intestines are so popular that they sell out almost instantly, but with a bit of luck or an early reservation, you might be able to get your hands on some. The fried fish belly is a must-try, with crispy skin and a delightful tender fish belly. Don’t miss out on the garlic rice, where crispy fried garlic is evenly mixed into the rice, filling the air with a fragrant garlic aroma and leaving the rice springy and delicious. The star of the show of course is the fish soup, where you can choose from fish meat, fish skin, or fish belly. Locals love to splurge and add on fish balls or oysters, and the clear, fresh-tasting broth is sure to impress.
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© Yuan Zai Hui (Guohua Street)
15:00 PM: Yuan Zai Hui (Guohua Street)
Another essential stop in the Central-Western District is Yuan Zai Hu that you cannot miss, a traditional shaved ice shop that has been serving local delicacies for three generations. The ingredients and sweet syrups are made in-house, and there are over twenty varieties of traditional toppings to choose from. Some of the most popular choices include round glutinous balls, honey taro, honey lotus seeds, sweet potato balls, and tapioca strips. The shaved ice can be served hot or cold, and the generous toppings buried under a mountain of icy shavings come as a pleasant surprise. The refreshing cold and sweet flavours instantly cool you down, providing a perfect escape from Tainan's scorching sunshine.
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18:00 PM: Eastern Castle Noodles
A visit to Tainan wouldn't be complete without trying their famous "stir-fried eel noodles." Historical research suggests that the tradition of eating eel originated during the Japanese occupation, when Japanese people favoured eel for its health benefits. Many restaurants in Tainan serve stir-fried eel noodles, but Eastern Castle Noodles, located by the third-grade historic site of the East Gate (Dadongmen), is one of the most beloved spots for this dish. The stir-fried eel is crispy and tender, and the vinegar-based sauce balances the sweetness perfectly, complementing the onions, noodles, and eel. For those in the know, a side of sesame oil stir-fried pig kidneys is a great way to test the chef's stir-frying skills, with a fresh and tender texture that’s simply delicious.
21:00 PM: A Ming Zhu Xing (Baoan Road)
Tainan is a place you’ll be reluctant to leave after just one day, and before you head off, why not pay a visit to the iconic A Ming Zhu Xing for a final treat? This popular late-night spot only opens in the evening and closes within seven hours, so it’s essential to catch it at the right time.
A Ming Zhu Xing specialises in pig organ soup, a seemingly humble dish that is both tender and fragrant without any unpleasant smell. You can choose different cuts of the meat as a platter or to have the organs cooked in broth or served with mung bean noodles or rice vermicelli. (Right image: © MICHELIN)
One of the most popular dishes is the garlic pig’s trotters platter and the pig’s heart mung bean noodle soup, which is the perfect portion for a single person. The broth is subtly flavoured, having been simmered with pork bones and various internal organs for a long time, creating a smooth, rich flavour that is light yet satisfying. Besides the usual offerings like pig’s heart, liver, and kidneys, you can also try rarer cuts such as pig brain, marrow, and heart vessels. Cooked to order and served with noodles or rice vermicelli that soaks up the rich broth, this dish becomes increasingly moreish with every bite.
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Hero image by Karen Lin.
The article is written by Karen Lin and translated by Chia Wen Hsu. Read the original article here.
