Shanze Bora villa

Installed next to Cishan Old Street since 1986, this neat little shop has stood the test of time. Pork offal can be paired with egg noodles, glass noodles or steamed rice. The fleshy and springy pork tongue is the popular dish – best enjoyed with a dab of grated garlic for a kick. Braised ground pork rice topped with a sunny-side-up egg is also a must: pierce the yolk so it runs down over the rice for a mouthful of tasty goodness.

Adjacent to a water park in an area famous for taro and bamboo shoots, this restaurant has been serving game meats and wild greens since 1971. Signatures include wild boar, muntjac, spotted dove, giant mottled eel, wild fish and shrimps. Braised pork belly with taro and shredded bamboo shoot, and turmeric chicken are also worth trying. Round it out with deep-fried taro balls, and the complimentary taro ice cubes.

Founded over 70 years ago, this eatery is justly proud of its famous lamb soup, which is simmered for at least four hours before the Chinese angelica is added for fragrance and invigorating effects. Lamb from central Taiwan is slaughtered and shipped to the shop on the same day to ensure freshness. Scalding soup is poured over the raw sliced lamb cooking it to medium rare. Also try the bouncy lamb skin roll, available on holidays only, and the braised pork rice made with lamb fat.

The owner’s family used to run a plum farm in the neighbourhood. In the 1990s, they opened this restaurant, incorporating the tangy stone fruit into their recipes. Diners’ favourites include plum-scented pork, egg tofu in plum sauce, and stir-fried pork intestines with sour plums. There is a shop selling plums next door and the Meiling Scenic Area nearby is a famous viewing spot for plum blossom in winter. It’s best to book at the weekend.

Bawan has been around for over a century in Taiwan – the savoury filling is wrapped in a translucent dough, steamed and served with a sweet-savoury sauce. This shop, opened in 2012, is a relative newcomer, but their smaller version stuffed with spear shrimps and pork shoulder butt have instantly won the hearts of gourmets in Tainan. Try it with a dribble of mustard, or pair it with Sishen soup or shiitake pork soup. Check their media page for closing.

On the outskirts of the city lies this rustic open-air restaurant on a mountain. Expansive views of green rolling hills complement the intoxicating smell of meat cooked in the wild. The signature smoked lamb is slow-cooked with rice wine and Chinese herbs in cooking pits for 24 hours, boasting a dark rich broth that is considered a health tonic. Wild greens and game meats, such as stir-fried wild boar, are also recommended. Book ahead on weekends.

In stark contrast to the century-old façade, the interior juxtaposes local serpentine stone and cypress wood for a sleek, Nordic vibe. The owner remodelled the family manor she inherited and manages the business; her partner, who received formal training in France, helms the kitchen. The menu showcases local ingredients such as Muscovy duck or glue berries into culinary gems using French techniques. To honour the family's roots in poultry farming, the menu includes a signature egg dish that celebrates their history.