达辽城堡汽车旅馆暨水疗中心

For 20+ years, locals have been swooning over the pork knuckle rice here – ham hock braised in a marinade with spices and Chinese herbs, served with a glistening amber sauce; the peppery aftertaste is spellbinding. Steamed rice from Hualian and a julienne of crispy bamboo shoots cut through the richness. Marine fish cooked to order are also a firm favourite. Noodle lovers can't get enough of the umami-laden pork bone broth lifted by veggie sweetness.

Opened in 2020, this is the first outpost of Tokyo's famed restaurant Den outside of Japan. Exploring the vast repertoire of Taiwanese produce with traditional Japanese techniques, Sho serves a single menu including two signature dishes lifted from Den: a green salad made with 10+ local vegetables that have been fried, steamed, ground or pickled, and two versions of kamameshi, which may include local yam, Brussels sprouts and sakura shrimp.

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.

From a tricycle food cart in 1961, the third-generation family business has transformed itself into a no-frills booth, open from noon till dusk. This popular venue for Taiwan-style afternoon snacks is a stickler for tradition. The best-selling chargrilled pork sausage in intestine skin is mildly laced with five spices and sorghum wine. Fried shallot and peanuts give sticky rice sausage extra aromas, best enjoyed with the hearty sparerib soup.

After selling sticky rice in a market for 10-plus years, the owner couple opened this shop in 2021. Tables are set on a plant-adorned porch with tiled floor and walls; the cartoon duck and handwritten logo create a strong visual identity. The signature boneless duck sticky rice entices with its sesame oil and ginger aromas, while taro pork rib soup boasts starchy tuber infused with meaty flavours. Honey black tea from Taitung makes the perfect pairing.

Since 2000, this shop has been famous for its oversize steamed bun sandwiches packed with tasty fillings. The must-try is definitely the assorted gua bao stuffed with crisp pickled cabbage, half-fatty soy-braised pork, ground peanut sugar, and the secret red chilli sauce, all working miraculously together. There is even a plant-based version for vegan customers. Healthy drinks such as Job's Tears milk or almond soy milk are also on hand to quench your thirst.

With an ice cellar for storing fish and a profusion of hinoki wood, the interior is steeped in Japanese charm. The owner-chef hails from Tokyo and his omakase menu starts with cooked zensai dishes that showcase the best seasonal produce, followed by the freshest catch flown in from Japan over sushi rice dressed in two kinds of akazu. Custard-like tamagoyaki and Taiwanese black tea make the perfect conclusion. In autumn, the sanma shiso spring roll is unmissable.