Tainan, I Miss You (A LOT!): Warning! Visiting is Seriously Risky!

[Mr. Ryan Hermann]

You might be curious as to why I've come to Taiwan again just months after my last visit? Hi, for someone like me who doesn't punch a clock for work, isn't it all the same as to where I stay? Changing places and experiencing something new is always refreshing!

Another subtle motivation was that Taiwan hasn't yet fully opened up its team tours to Chinese mainland tourists, resulting in fewer tourists and providing more opportunities to explore at leisurely paces.

Of course, the most important reason was: I truly miss the food here! Not only is it delicious, but性价比超高——同样花这笔钱，在这里可以吃到更高质量的食物，性价比极高！

As soon as I landed in Kaohsiung, I took a train directly to Tainan.

• P2 Photo: This was my first meal upon arriving in Taiwan!
  • The restaurant is called "Rouzao Fan Daren" (meaning “Minced Pork Rice Master”).
  • I ordered:
    • Minced pork rice - a signature Taiwanese dish, with fragrant braised minced pork atop steamed rice
    • Braised pork ear - very chewy
    • Pork ball soup
  • It cost me NT$120 (approximately RMB 26). I searched for this place based on online reviews and wasn't disappointed by the taste! In fact, even when I was still in the plane, I was already plotting which dishes to eat.

The next day, I woke up naturally and wondered what to eat.

• The idea that popped into mind was the aforementioned minced pork rice!
  • The name of this store is "Yongji Shimuyu Wan", a place locally renowned for its milkfish. Milkfish is a fish commonly found in southern Taiwan’s culinary culture.
  • When I came to Tainan before, I ate the minced pork rice there and was deeply impressed. Hence, despite having already had it last night, eating it again this morning was just as delightful!
  • Note: I sauntered about one or two kilometers to finally reach this place.
  • P3 Photo:
    • Minced pork rice (approximately NT$35 or RMB 7.7)
    • Braised quail egg (approximately RMB 3.3)
    • Mixed soup (about RMB 28.5)- the term "mixed" means mixed.
    • Sausage and bean skin shrimp rolls were added later, so these weren't caught on camera.
  • The flavor of the minced rice remains wonderful!
  • Pique & Travel Tip: Not really recommend that particular mixed soup, though. It costs more but mostly consists of non-meat parts of the fish, turning it somewhat greasy. Next time, I’ll go with the simpler dumpling soup.

There was one morning where I aimlessly walked around the streets, seeing a store labeled as “Chenji Zhenzheng Hongshao Tutuo”, which means true red braised bonito.

• The “bonito” refers to Spanish mackerel, and the red braised bonito broth is a widely known snacks in Taiwan's culinary tradition.
• From my understanding on Google Map, this store is an old-established one.
• P4 Photo: My meal there wasn’t bad!
• It cost me NT$90 (RMB 20). Although it’s not cheap, there’s a satisfying feeling of finding something decent yet delicious through random street exploration.

Taiwanese beef noodle, which always makes me longed for it too!

• When I saw a seemingly great looking shop called “Niucun Niurou Mian” on my way.
• P5-6 Photo: A bowl of beef noodles costing NT$120 (approximately RMB 26), with the taste is phenomenal! I was served a big chunky and tender beef inside.

Regarding value for money:

• While not necessarily cheaper even when converted into Renminbi, the “value for price” ratio is surprisingly strong for dishes in Taiwan - that means you get better quality and quantity for the same amount of money.

To clarify more: In mainland China, you can find steaming hot bowls of beef ramen selling at around RMB 12, but they usually consist of just a few meat chunks. Compare that with ramen with such large slices of beef, which are much rarer in mainland China, prices likely be way higher than in Taiwan.

During my stay in Tainan, I didn’t go to any tourism attractions but spent my days casually walking around the streets, hanging out in cafes, simply taking a "different place to live" attitude.

• Despite recommendations from many online users, I felt that those must-eat restaurants tasted rather mediocre.
• I don't idolize food charts and influencers, believing that the excitement and richness in exploration and discovery of novel foods are much more rewarding. Instead of following tourists to “name-brand restaurants,” I prefer delving into local hangouts among the lanes with authentic tastes.

My conclusion in the title about Tainan being a "dangerous" place for travelers...

• Warning, Important: You might end up getting fatter!
• How to avoid: Well...facing such variety of tasty food, evading it is actually quite challenging. Enjoying it, losing weight afterwards, or just more walking around, like myself should do. (Maybe I'm going to become bulkier regardless hahaha).

[Karen Bruen]

There's this little food stall in Taipei I just can't forget!! It was incredibly delicious.

[Karen Bruen]

I like lamb too.

[Theresa Sporer]

Both of these minced pork rice places you picked look so good! Minced pork just has to have that mix of fatty and lean meat!

[Andrea Hand]

Are braised pork rice (luroufan) and minced pork rice (rouzaofan) actually the same thing?