Taiwan's Favorite Dish Is Not What You Might Think
Of all the countries that I’ve been to in Asia so far, I’d have to say that Taiwan is one of my favourite destinations for food.
You’ve probably familiar popcorn chicken, bubble tea, and beef noodle soup, but this time we’re making our way to the Lu Rou Fan Festival - a celebration of one of Taiwan’s most beloved dishes, braised pork on rice.
On our journey to the festival, we’ll be stopping at attractions and restaurants along the way, and learning more about what makes Taiwan such a special travel destination. You ready?
Taichung
Our trip officially begins in Taichung, the cultural centre of Taiwan. It's a growing city rich in history and natural beauty - and some impressive architecture.
You’ll actually find many historic buildings preserved and converted for new uses in Taichung, like Shen Ji New Village - originally a dormitory for government employees, today it’s a spot to shop, eat, meet some friendly locals.
Now that we’ve warmed up our palette, it’s time for our first real meal of the day.
The Gaomei Wetlands are where the sea and land meet. Visitors can stroll down an 800 meter long boardwalk, observing wildlife and windmills along the way. It’s quite the romantic spot and during low tide you can even take a walk on the silt. It’s a peaceful haven, just over an hour outside of the city.
Tainan
With easy access to a diversity of mountains, forests, and water, Taiwan is a nature lover’s dream. It also has a very rich history, preserved in the temples and monuments that you can find in Tainan, the oldest city in Taiwan.
This also happens to be the place where I discovered my new favourite noodle: dan zai. As it turns out, this dish - and how it was delivered - has a very interesting history.
Khaosiung
The people of Taiwan lead pretty active lifestyles and there are actually plenty of opportunities to get your steps in, as we discovered in the seaside city of Khaosiung.
Taitung
Not all areas of Taiwan are as developed as the west. And as we make our way along the island, it’s easy to find lush green spaces for nature and crops. In the south, near Taitung, you’ll find the Bunun tribes - the indigenous people of Taiwan, best known for their sophisticated vocal music.
Also near Taitung is Chulu Ranch, an attraction focused on milk production - something that the people of Taiwan take great pride in.
Taipei
The last stop on our trip is Taipei, the capital of Taiwan. Although it’s now a modern metropolis, you can still find traces of its early history. After a brief lesson in tea culture, we’re getting dressed in traditional qipao and magua, in preparation the main event: the Lu Rou Fan Festival.
I’ve always known that Taiwan was special but it wasn’t until this trip that I had a chance to truly appreciate its diversity - not just in people and scenery, but in its culinary offerings as well. Braised pork on rice may sound like a simple dish but as we discovered, there are so many inventive ways to enjoy it.
So, next time you book a trip to Asia, plan to spend a couple days in Taiwan - there’s something for everyone… just make sure to bring your appetite. See ya next time… à la prochaine!
Want to explore more iconic Taiwan dishes? Here are our favourite things to get at the night markets!
