NantouEat Recommendations

Shi Zi Chu Lian Ita Thao Black Tea Crisp sits in the bustling Ita Thao Old Street by Sun Moon Lake, drawing eyes with its pink storefront and offering five flavors of black tea crisp, namely vanilla, fresh milk, lemon makauy, caramel macchiato, and black tea. Made with three star Michelin grade black tea, the cookies are crispy and intensely fragrant. The product has earned honors such as Taiwan's Top 100 Souvenirs and Nantou's Top Ten Souvenirs, making it a must buy gift and snack on Sun Moon Lake's old street. The name combines the founders Chen Xiu Xin and son Chen Le to convey warm hearted joy, and the logo features a cute Thao boy, steeped in local culture.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.