Shanghai Xiaolong Tangbao is a type of steamed dim sum that originated and developed in the Jiangnan region of China, particularly around Shanghai. Characterized by its thin wheat flour wrapper filled with minced meat and a generous amount of soup, it is steamed in a bamboo basket. Its delicate flavor and texture have made it popular among many people. Today, it is widely served not only in mainland China but also in Taiwan and around the world. In places such as Li Yuan (Li Yuan Tangbao Restaurant) in Taipei, authentic Shanghai Xiaolong Tangbao made with traditional techniques can be enjoyed.
Seafood congee is a porridge dish featuring seafood as the main ingredient, commonly enjoyed in coastal regions of East Asia. In places such as the Liuhe Tourist Night Market in Kaohsiung City, Taiwan, it has become a popular specialty, with freshly caught local seafood cooked together with white rice to create a flavorful dish. Widely loved by both travelers and residents, it is especially popular as a late-night meal or snack. Characterized by its warm and nourishing taste, seafood congee is often chosen as a comforting food during winter or in colder seasons.
The king oyster mushroom (Pleurotus eryngii), also known as White King Oyster Mushroom or Xing Bao Gu in Taiwan, is an edible mushroom belonging to the genus Pleurotus in the family Pleurotaceae. Native to southern Europe and western Asia, it is now widely cultivated and distributed across many countries, including Japan and various parts of Asia. The king oyster mushroom is valued for its thick, meaty texture and rich umami flavor that becomes more pronounced when cooked, making it a versatile ingredient in a variety of dishes. In Taiwan, where it is called Xing Bao Gu, it is especially popular as a deep-fried snack at night markets and food stalls.
Shaoxing Wine Fried Rice is a type of fried rice that uses Shaoxing wine, a traditional Chinese brewed liquor, as a seasoning. By adding the aromatic Shaoxing wine, this dish is characterized by a distinctive depth and rich flavor that set it apart from typical fried rice. It is mainly served in mainland China and other Chinese-speaking regions, often with local variations, and can also be found at some Chinese restaurants and food stalls in Taiwan. This article focuses on the Shaoxing Wine Fried Rice served at ""Dujia Shaoxing Fried Rice (Qishan Main Store)"" located in Qishan Old Street, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
Burned Grass Jelly is a warm dessert popular mainly in Taiwan, made by heating traditional herbal jelly known as grass jelly (Mesona chinensis Benth.). While typical grass jelly is usually served chilled, burned grass jelly features hot grass jelly soup combined with a variety of ingredients and toppings, making it especially popular during winter or in cold weather. It is widely found at night markets and historic old streets throughout Taiwan, such as the Qishan Old Street in Kaohsiung, and is known for the original variations offered by different vendors.
Pho is a rice noodle dish originating from Vietnam, renowned for its delicate broth and variety of fresh herbs. It emerged in northern Vietnam between the late 19th and early 20th centuries before spreading throughout the country. Typically, pho consists of chewy flat rice noodles served in a flavorful broth simmered for hours with beef or chicken bones and various spices, accompanied by toppings such as beef, chicken, bean sprouts, and cilantro. Through migration and international exchange, pho has become popular worldwide, with local adaptations appearing in many countries.
Banana Cola is a refreshing beverage combining banana and cola, popular in Cishan Old Street in Kaohsiung City, southern Taiwan. The Cishan area is known for banana production, and this drink is offered as a local specialty for tourists. Characterized by the use of ripe Taiwanese bananas, it was created as part of an initiative to utilize local agricultural products and is sold at traditional old street stalls. This unique drink allows people to enjoy the sweetness of banana and the refreshing sensation of cola’s carbonation at the same time, making it a representative item of the region’s distinctive food culture.
The banana is a fruit belonging to the Musaceae family, originally from Southeast Asia, and is widely cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions around the world. Qishan District in Kaohsiung City, southern Taiwan, is known as one of the leading banana-producing areas in Taiwan. Bananas produced in Qishan, known as ""Qishan Bananas,"" are particularly highly regarded for their quality and flavor. For many years, Qishan bananas have played an important role not only as a domestic product but also as an export commodity. Even today, Qishan bananas, supported by their rich sweetness, texture, and traditional cultivation techniques, continue to be a specialty product symbolizing the region's agriculture and tourism.
Zhen You Wei (Chinese: 真魷味) is one of Taiwan's representative squid-based snack foods. It is characterized by the use of dried or semi-dried squid seasoned with a distinctive marinade. Widely distributed across Taiwan in convenience stores, supermarkets, and night markets, Zhen You Wei is easily recognized by its packaging, which often features illustrations of squid and the term ""Hong Shao Kou Wei"" (braised flavor in soy sauce) in Chinese, indicating its signature sweet and savory soy sauce-based taste. This traditional snack is well-loved by locals and tourists alike.
Century egg and lean pork congee is a type of rice porridge widely consumed in southern China and various regions of East Asia. It is characterized by the addition of century eggs (pidan), which are fermented duck eggs, and lean pork to the rice congee. Known for its rich flavor and high nutritional value, it is a familiar everyday home-cooked dish. Century egg and lean pork congee is especially prominent in Cantonese and Taiwanese cuisine, commonly served as breakfast or a late-night meal at street stalls and eateries. In places such as the Liuhe Night Market in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, it is recognized as a staple dish popular among locals and tourists alike.
