85 Hánshè Inn

The lofty room is a soothing patchwork of camel and neutral shades set off by gun metal grey. Besides sitting at the arc-shaped counter or round tables, you can also book a room for more privacy. The kitchen brigade from Macau and Hong Kong crafts three set menus, showcasing gourmet dried seafood like bird’s nest and abalone and updating 1980’s Cantonese favourites with novel twists. Concise selection of French wines, but a very varied tea menu.

The shop may have little ambiance to speak of, but it’s brightly lit and always spotless. Since its founding over 60 years ago, it has focused on two items only – peanut zongzi and kelp miso soup. The kitchen team at the back is always busy wrapping the signature sticky rice dumplings in bamboo leaves, to be steamed and topped with sauces and ground peanuts before served. Consider taking home some frozen zongzi, especially around Dragon Boat Festival.

Previously known as Pad Thai, this simple shop has generated a lot of buzz on social media since it opened in 2020. In the 2nd floor dining room, diners adore the exotic street vibe and the photogenic blue wall. Despite the name change, the mildly spicy and tangy fried noodle dish is still the must-try, which is truly perfect when paired with som tum, green papaya salad. The Thai coffee is also worth trying. Check its social media page for days off.

Having honed his skills in some famous kitchens in Taiwan, Chef Kang, a Taipei native, chose to start his first venture in Kaohsiung. With an open kitchen and counter seats, the earth-toned room exudes warmth and understated elegance. The single set menu that is served features local and Japanese produce astutely prepared in Japanese-French style. The menu changes every season but always includes one course inspired by Kaohsiung culture.

Beef Chief rose from humble beginnings in 1996 as a street stall selling beef soup. Now it serves shabu-shabu hotpot using freshly slaughtered beef shipped from Tainan daily. The amber soup base is made with beef bones, veggies and fruits, boasting subtle sweetness. Apart from being served in hotpot, beef cuts and offal are available as stir-fries – try stir-fried beef tendon. Excellent value and friendly service also explain its popularity.

Converted from Taipower Company former staff housing, this tiny gem serves five Chinese double-boiled soups that come with a side, plus your choice of rice or noodles. Spicy food lovers shouldn't miss the oyster chicken soup with chillies – vegetables nicely complement the umami of free-range chicken legs and oysters from Yunlin . For staples, try Koshihikari rice from Japan mixed with Tainan No. 16 and topped with nori pork floss.

This third-generation family business dates back to 1959 and its signature braised pork rice has been the favourite breakfast for generations of Kaohsiungese. Only the back cut is used, with pork skin and a layer of fat that give the dish a complex depth. Feel free to order shredded pork, dried fish floss, marinated tofu, or even a soft-boiled duck egg to go with the rice. It’s always busy and may close early when all food has sold out.