Eat Recommendations
Late-night ramen, market kushikatsu, century-old shops — eating is the fastest way to travel.
Featured
Illustrative Xiao Er Braised Pork Rice near Datong North Road in Sanchong District is a beloved affordable braised pork rice shop that regularly draws queues. The signature glossy, melt-in-your-mouth braised pork over rice is paired with springy shrimp soup and a variety of sides including braised cabbage, fried tofu, and bamboo shoots for a complete street-food experience. Open 11:00-21:30, a single bowl costs just NT$30, with a large upgrade only NT$5 more. Recognized by the Michelin Bib Gourmand with a 4.1-star rating, it's a Sanchong must-visit for authentic local flavor at unbeatable prices.
Illustrative Wangshi Lu Mi Xue Jirou Fan is a Pingtung City night-market stall founded in 1947 and counted among the city's longest-running snack shops. The signature chicken rice combines hand-made pork-blood cake, soft and chewy rice, and finely shredded chicken, finished with crispy fried shallots for a clean, light flavor rather than oily richness. The stall also serves cold-tossed duck intestine, sliced duck plates, angelica duck soup, and duck noodles, letting customers sample several local flavors in one meal. Prices are friendly, with a full meal coming in around 100 NT dollars.
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Illustrative →Youde Noodles
You De Yi Mian is a Nantou institution at the entrance of the Nantou Public Retail Market on Zhong Shan Street, run by the same family for more than fifty years and beloved by locals and tourists alike. The signature is traditional Nantou yi mian noodles, joined by ban tiao rice noodles, pork thickened soup, and wontons, all salty savory with a full bodied broth and gentle prices. Steaming bowls often start appearing at 6:30 in the morning. The shop sits under the market arcade with simple, open seating that lets diners enjoy an authentic Nantou yi mian experience in a breezy, ventilated space, making it a must queue breakfast and snack stop.
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Illustrative →Puli Dacheng Brown Sugar Steamed Bun
Pu Li Da Cheng Brown Sugar Mantou at No. 146, Da Cheng Road in Pu Li Township, Nantou County is a hugely popular brown sugar treat. The shop sells just one product, an extra large brown sugar mantou bigger than a face, fragrant and sweet with deep brown sugar aroma. Daily supply is limited and they often sell out shortly after opening, with queues a regular sight and the treat ranked as a Pu Li must eat for photo worthy snacks. Priced around NT$130, it suits travelers who want to try something new and do not mind queuing.
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Illustrative →Wenxin Garden Cafe
Wen Xin Yuan Garden Cafe at No. 12, Lane 196, Nan Yang Road in Nantou City is a garden restaurant blending European country architecture with lush garden scenery. The menu includes Italian coffee, pasta, risotto, roast half chicken, ice cream, and a wide selection of light meals, and the spacious outdoor garden and free parking make it a fit for couples, family gatherings, and travelers with pets. The grounds are themed around European castles and fairytale cottages, dotted with flowers and succulents so the meal pleases the eye as much as the palate. A minimum order of one food or drink per guest applies, a 10 percent service charge is added, holiday dining is limited to two hours, and weekday limits depend on crowd levels. The leisurely, photo friendly atmosphere makes it a rare garden cafe and dining hybrid in downtown Nantou.
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Illustrative →Fang Suxin Caotun Handmade Mochi
Fang Su Xin Cao Tun Handmade Mochi is the founding branch of a long standing dessert and snack shop in Cao Tun Township, Nantou County, specializing in handmade mochi. The menu spans traditional Hakka mochi alongside creative flavors such as taro, peanut, and sesame, each with a thin, springy skin and generous filling, beloved by locals and travelers alike. Beyond single pieces, the shop offers refined gift boxes with home delivery, making it a Cao Tun must buy souvenir. Located at No. 193, Zhong Shan Street, telephone 049 239 1703, the average spend is around NT$150.
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Illustrative →Shi Family Meatballs
Shi Jia Ba Wan at No. 26, Min Fu Road in Pu Li Township, Nantou County is a snack shop founded in 1965 with more than sixty years of operation. The shop is famous for handmade ba wan dumplings with springy skins, hearty fillings, and no greasiness, large portions of meat, and friendly prices around NT$60. The sign humorously promises Shi Jia ba wan, if it is not tasty it is free, with refunds available for dissatisfied customers, and the shop offers free refills of pork bone broth, allowing diners to rinse their bowl and drink the broth the local way for extra flavor. Beloved by locals and tourists, it is a flagship of Pu Li's traditional food scene.
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Illustrative →Meiyuan Stuffed Pancake & Congee
Mei Yuan Xian Bing Zhou is a long standing snack shop in Zhong Xing New Village, Nantou County, founded in 1983 with more than forty years of history. The menu centers on military village style cooking, with signature dishes such as millet porridge, beef stuffed flatbread, pork steamed dumplings, beef noodle soup, and red bean crispy pancake at friendly prices ranging from NT$25 to NT$150. The shop has no flashy signboard but is beloved by locals and tourists, and queues are common, though detailed opening hours are not posted.
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