In the words of a Taiwanese friend: "Because we have high taste and picky tastes, we have created these famous snacks in Tainan today." This is of course a joke. But there are indeed many famous snacks in Tainan. Just like Chengdu snacks are famous in the mainland, Tainan snacks are also famous in the treasure island. Without further ado, let’s get into what foodies are looking forward to: The Southern Chapter.
1. Xiaoyuan Danzi Noodles
Speaking of Tainan food, the first thing that comes to mind is Danzi Noodles. In those days, fishermen who relied on fishing to make a living during the off-season had to walk around the streets selling homemade noodles on a pole. This is also the most well-known legend of the century-old shop Du Xiaoyue. In fact, there are many authentic and delicious Dan Zai noodles hidden in the streets of Tainan, such as this humble shop next to Ximen Circle. At night, the shopkeeper opens the door and hangs up the Dan Zai Noodle shop’s signature dim yellow paper lanterns. There are no elegant tables, chairs and exquisite screen decorations like those in famous stores. To attract customers, you can only rely on the aroma of meat simmering on the stove for a long time. The chef sitting next to the low ancient stove neatly grabs the noodles, lowers them, rises them, sprinkles the meat sauce and garnishes, all in one go. When the food was served, I held the small bowl with both hands with a sense of ceremony and smelled the aroma, which immediately opened my taste buds. Use chopsticks to gently mix the meat sauce sprinkled on the noodles, and then take a sip of the soup to feel the delicious taste of the shrimp stock mixed with garlic and acetic acid. After that, you can eat the whole bowl of oil noodles in big mouthfuls, even the sweet shrimps, coriander, and bean sprouts. The portions of danzi noodles are very small and can be finished in two or three bites. It is one of the best late-night snacks. While feeling the simple taste, you can also appreciate the rich heritage accumulated by the history of food.
·Address: No. 317, Section 2, Ximen Road
2. Gaizicheng Shrimp Rice
This small bowl of shrimp rice can be traced back to the Japanese occupation era. It is full of shrimps spread on the rice, and the shape is Japanese-style " " , but the essence is desktop. Tainan is close to the sea, and the nearby waters are rich in barbecued shrimp. The shop removes the intestines and skins of the grilled shrimps that are freshly caught every day and saute them over high heat with green onions. The rice is simmered in shrimp oil and bonito stock, which is somewhat similar to Spanish paella. It requires constant stirring to allow the rice to absorb the sweetness of the soup. This ancient cooking method also gives the rice a charcoal aroma. The delicious shrimps and warm rice are accompanied by the sweetness of the stock and the aroma of lard. Ordinary ingredients create an extraordinary taste. Pairing it with a bowl of duck egg soup is an authentic Tainan way to eat it. The soup is shrimp oil and dried bonito stock, and the duck eggs are produced by ducks fed shrimp shells. It is an excellent accompaniment to shrimp rice. Such a small bowl of plain-looking rice and soup still attracts people to queue up, so it turns out there is something awesome about it.
Address: No. 66, Section 1, Hai'an Road
3. Shrimp Roll
This is the quarrel between Taiwanese and Japanese tempura, but the shrimp in the shrimp roll is wrapped in a tofu pad, and it is filled with green onions and other spices, and then Fry.
The most famous shop is called "Zhou's Shrimp Roll", which was founded in 1965.
Zhou's Shrimp Rolls (Old Store): No. 125, Anping Road, Anping District, Tainan.
4.Zaifahao Meat Rice Dumplings
Zaifahao Meat Zongzi has a unique aroma that has been fragrant for 140 years since the 11th year of Tongzhi in the Qing Dynasty. The signature eight-treasure meat rice dumplings are filled with an astonishing variety of fillings: salted egg yolk, chestnuts, scallops, flat fish cakes, lean hind leg meat, minced meat, dried shrimps, abalone, mushrooms, lentil cakes, squid, and cherry blossom shrimps. Among the rice dumplings, they are huge in size, weighing up to fourteen taels, and are of real material and connotation. The store uses Taiwan's top long glutinous rice. The new rice and old rice are mixed according to their own secret recipe. The stickiness of the old rice and the softness of the new rice are well balanced. The grains are clear and distinct, and the taste is tough, soft and full of rice aroma. The wrapped bamboo leaves are even more exquisitely made of two osmanthus bamboo leaves and one Ma bamboo leaf. The inner layer of Ma bamboo leaves prevents the glutinous rice from adhering to the bamboo leaves. The Gui bamboo leaves are resistant to cooking and are not easily broken and can seal in the aroma. Open the bamboo leaves layer by layer with your hands, and the aroma of the vigorous rice-flavored meat and bamboo leaves will spread. Eat it bite by bite with a traditional bamboo fork, which is very nostalgic.
Address: No. 71, Section 2, Minquan Road
5. Old Eel Pasta
The Kangle Market on Zhongzheng Road has been a gathering place for Tainan snacks since the Japanese occupation. Although it has not been as lively and prosperous as it used to be over time, several still remain. A hundred years old. The old eel pasta is the third generation of the family, and the owner and chef has the unique skill of "frying for 27 seconds". I saw him sautéing the garlic very quickly, then stir-frying the eel segments, peppers, and onions over high heat, and then accurately sprinkled in Wuyin vinegar, black vinegar, and clear vinegar. After a quick stir-fry, he added meat and bone stock, rice wine, and soy sauce and continued. Stir-fry until hot. I applauded his skill in one go, and at the same time, along with the rumbling sound and fire, I could also smell the strong wok gas and burnt aroma. The eel has no earthy smell at all, the meat is tender and crispy, and the compound taste of sweet, sour, sweet and spicy lingers on the tip of the tongue. The hot-fried pasta is also fluffy and smooth. The boss's skillful heat control and precise quick frying skills are amazing. If you still want more, sesame oil eel noodle soup and dry-fried eel are also the icing on the cake. With this in mind, no wonder it attracts groups of local diners and tourists to queue up to have a look and taste the delicious food.
Address: Stall 113, Kangle Market, No. 6, Lane 206, Youai Street, Zhongzheng Road
6. Douhua
Taiwanese tofu pudding is topped with a layer of sweet sauce, usually with brown sugar, mung beans and taro, and crushed ice in summer. The bean curd of "Anping Liangfen" is relatively famous. Another shop is called "Xiu'an Biandan Douhua". It started as a shaved ice shop and later became a douhua shop.
Anping Liang Noodles: No. 433, Anbei Road, Anping District, Tainan.
Xiu'an Bean Curd: No. 157, Ximen Road, Section 3, Guohua Street, Central and Western District, Tainan.
7. Ajuan Duck Meat
Ajuan is Amin’s neighbor and is busy with customers. Originally famous for its curry rice, pork ribs rice, and melon chicken, it has a history of more than 60 years. Duck meat soup is a must-eat. The meat is just the right amount of fat and lean, not greasy or smelly, and has a sweet aroma. What I like most is this bowl of soup. It is slightly thickened but not too much, revealing the deliciousness of duck meat. When you eat the radish, it is crispy and delicious. Another dish of Angelica Duck is also a joy to eat. It is a whole duck leg soaked in Angelica soup. If you like offal, you can order the offal soup. The duck gizzard is cut into a flower, which is very crispy. The soup is actually sweet. I wonder if outsiders are used to it.
Address: No. 36 Baoan Road
8. Meatballs
Meatballs are a kind of sticky translucent meatballs, and people are full of praise for their super Q taste. The main ingredients of this giant dumpling are pork, mushrooms and bamboo shoots, served with sweet sticky sauce, and some restaurants will add coriander to color it.
There is always a long queue at the door of "Wumiao Meatballs", a 40-year-old restaurant.
Wumiao Meatballs: No. 225, Section 2, Yongfu Road, Central and Western District, Tainan.
9. Ah Feng Floating Fish Soup
Floating Fish is not a kind of fish. It is made from the flesh of fresh swordfish, and the back meat and belly of milkfish. The white appearance is the color of the fish itself. Then knead it into irregular-shaped fish pieces and put them into boiling water. When cooked, they will naturally float, so they are floating fish. The soup is thickened, presumably using sweet potato powder. Take a sip of the soup and you won't be able to shake off the rich flavor. Take a bite of the fish fillet and enjoy the chewy texture and the plumpness of the milkfish belly. The soup is clear and slightly milky in color, with black vinegar, minced coriander and shredded young ginger sprinkled on top. The taste is elegant and pure. In the food street of Baoan Road, it has been standing for more than half a century relying on its floating fish soup.
Address: No. 59 Baoan Road
10. Milkfish
Milkfish is the most popular food in Taiwan. It is so popular that Anping District has its own museum selling milkfish popsicles. "Chikan Danzai Noodles" includes fried boneless fish with a small amount of citrus, as well as milkfish ball soup.
Chikan Danzi Noodles: No. 180, Section 2, Minzu Road, Central and Western District, Tainan.
11. Jiang Shui Hao Shaved Ice
Jiang Shui Hao is hidden in the Ximen Market. In addition to junior high school students and girls shopping nearby, there are also Japanese tourists who come here because of its reputation.Although there are toppings to choose from in front of the stall, simply order the Babao Ice and you will get all the toppings at once. Mung beans, red beans, pinto beans, glutinous rice balls, and vermicelli noodles are densely stacked at the bottom of the bowl. You have to dig down from the shaved ice on top to get all the ingredients and crushed ice into your mouth. The beans should be soft and glutinous, the white sugar should be boiled to bring out the caramel aroma, and brown sugar should be added to enhance the aroma. A bowl of ice cream, not sweet at all. It is said that Jiangshuihao also has famous rice porridge, I will try it next time. A shaved ice shop that has been open for 80 years, with such a serious attitude, will definitely be able to continue the good taste.
Address: Ximen Market, No. 13, Lane 16, Section 3, Guohua Street
12. Squid soup
Squid soup is a common side dish in Tainan. Although they can be found everywhere, there are still some that are more unique.
The squid soup of "Floating Flower Branch Soup" is covered with a layer of minced milkfish and flour, and is seasoned with a small poke of coriander and shredded bamboo shoots.
Floating Water Huazhi Soup: No. 216, Section 2, Minzu Road, Central and Western District, Tainan.
