13 Things I Ate in Hualien, Taiwan

Embark on a solo adventure to Hualien, a tranquil city in Taiwan, as chronicled in the travelogue "7-Day Taiwan Adventure: Solo Female Traveler's Guide." Despite traveling alone, I managed to savor a diverse array of culinary delights. Let's delve into the gastronomic experiences that tantalized my taste buds during my 2-day sojourn in Hualien.

1. A Symphony of Grilled Delicacies Awash in Savory Sauces

Hualien's Bustling Barbecue Scene: A Culinary Adventure

Hualien's vibrant night markets offer a plethora of culinary delights, including an abundance of skewer-style barbecue restaurants. GoNeverStop guides you to two popular spots in the Dongdamen Night Market: Tiao Yi Ge Knee Row Chuan and Lai Lai Knee Row. While the queues may seem daunting, fret not! Both restaurants employ a ticket system. Simply place your order, pay, and receive a ticket. Your sizzling skewers will be ready for pickup shortly.

Prepare to be dazzled by the extensive menu, featuring an array of skewered delicacies ranging from a few dozen Taiwanese dollars to over a hundred. Skilled vendors expertly grill your selections, coating them in a rich, flavorful sauce. The result is a symphony of textures and tastes.

Among the must-try options are the blood pudding sticky rice and fish balls. The sticky rice boasts a delightful chewiness, while the fish balls surprise with a satisfying crunch from hidden tapioca pearls.

So, embark on a culinary adventure in Hualien's bustling night markets and savor the unique flavors of skewer-style barbecue.

Coordinates: Dongdamen Night Market

Price: Starting at 10 NT

2. Coffin bread, the name is scary. Brrr.

GoNeverStop stood in front of this shop for a long time, trying to figure out what they were selling and why it was always so crowded. Even though they had already eaten their fill of other things, they decided to give it a try. The shop they went to was called **Liang Jia Guan Chai Pan Coffin Bread Shop**. When they went in to order, they realized that it was a shop that sold stuffed bread shaped like coffins. You can open the lid and see the filling inside. The menu of this shop is so extensive that it is dazzling, with options such as sweet and sour fish, crab cream, chicken curry, shrimp and pineapple meatballs, etc. GoNeverStop ordered the beef filling to try. The coffin bread was very large and fragrant, and the sauce that was stir-fried with it was delicious. In addition, there was milk tea and red tea to drink to cleanse the palate.

Coordinates: Dongdamen Night Market

Price: Starting at 50 NT

3. Taiwanese Quail Egg Cookies

Deep-Fried Quail Eggs in Taiwan: A Culinary Adventure

This passage describes the experience of trying deep-fried quail eggs, a popular street food in Taiwan. The author, a self-proclaimed quail egg enthusiast, was drawn to the unique offering at a branch of the "Kaizhouyu Sweet Potato Fries" chain in Hualien's night market.

The description highlights the distinct characteristics of these deep-fried treats. The use of both sweet potato and regular potatoes creates a textural contrast, while the generous size and hollow interior offer a satisfying crunch with each bite. The author's enthusiasm for the experience is evident in their use of vivid imagery and descriptive language.

This passage provides a glimpse into the culinary delights of Taiwan's street food scene, showcasing the innovative and flavorful dishes that can be found in these bustling marketplaces.

Location: Dongdamen Night Market

Price: Starting at 20 NT

4. Healthy Ice Cream Options

Initially drawn to this shop by the sight of a dessert resembling tangyuan, I ended up buying ice cream instead upon entering. The shop I stumbled upon, Zhengxing Bingchaihongdian Ice Cream, is a long-standing ice cream factory established in 1948. Their signature feature is the generous use of fruits and minimal milk, catering to those with lactose intolerance. They utilize renowned ingredients from around the world, such as organic Taiwanese fruits, Kyoto green tea, and Madagascan vanilla, with a focus on low calorie content. With such health-conscious offerings, I couldn't resist trying it out. Upon tasting, the fruit-based flavors were satisfactory, while the milk-based and chocolate flavors felt somewhat bland and lacked richness.

Coordinates: Dongdamen Night Market

Price: Starting at 35 NT

5. Grilled sausage, so fragrant

Many people who come to Taiwan love to eat sausages. GoNeverStop comes to Taiwan often, but rarely has the opportunity to eat sausages. This time, after being tired from walking the Shakadang Trail, one of the nature trails in Taroko Gorge, I saw a lot of people buying sausages from this vendor, so I decided to try it. The uncle would put the sausages in the oven to grill, then spray them with some kind of water, and then put them in the fire to cook. It looked very delicious. I stood there with my mouth watering while watching the uncle's ritual with the sausages, and then I took them and ate them while they were hot. They were both fragrant and delicious.

Coordinates: Taroko National Park, Shakadang Trail, deep inside the trail until you reach the snack stand.

Price: 40 NT

Apologies, the photo is cropped from a video. The sausage was not captured clearly as I did not take a clear photo beforehand due to rushing to eat and catch the bus.

6. Taroko Set Menu with All-You-Can-Drink Buffet

In Taroko, there are restaurants with a sit-down dining experience located in the Puloh Wan area. These restaurants offer Taiwanese tribal-style cuisine and a variety of unlimited drinks. They also serve unique and unfamiliar plants brewed into tea. To save money, we ordered a set meal of pork fried rice, which came with a large portion, soup, and vegetable side dishes. The presentation was visually appealing, and the taste was acceptable.

Coordinates: Taroko National Park, Puloh Wan area

Price: 280 NT

7. Crispy Fried Baby Shrimp

The area surrounding Liyu Lake is teeming with street vendors selling fried snacks. One of the most popular local delicacies is deep-fried shrimp tossed in garlic salt. Upon ordering, the shrimp are freshly fried, arriving piping hot. However, the particular vendor GoNeverStop visited served overly salty shrimp, making them unsuitable for casual snacking. They are best enjoyed alongside a meal.

Location: There are many restaurants around Liyu Lake.

Price: 150 NT

8. Taiwanese Oyster Omelette

Hai Pu Oyster Omelet: A Delicious But Not Unforgettable Experience

Following the recommendation of the hostel staff, we visited Hai Pu Oyster Omelet, a restaurant known for its long queues. However, upon arrival, we encountered minimal wait time. As we settled in, a steady stream of customers began to fill the restaurant.

The oyster omelet itself was undoubtedly delicious. The oysters were fresh and perfectly cooked, while the batter was light and crispy. The accompanying sauce, a sweet and spicy concoction, added a delightful kick to the dish.

While the oyster omelet was undeniably enjoyable, it did not leave an unforgettable impression. Its resemblance to "or suan," a Thai oyster omelet, and the familiar sweet and spicy sauce contributed to this feeling.

Overall, Hai Pu Oyster Omelet offers a tasty and satisfying dining experience. However, its lack of uniqueness may leave some diners wanting more.

Coordinates: Hai Pu Oyster Omelet Restaurant, No. 88, Ziyou Street

Price: 60 NT

9. Shaved Ice with Toppings

Following the recommendation of a hostel staff member, we set out to find a shop called "Five-bar Caramel Tapioca." Initially, we thought it was a bubble tea shop, but after searching for a while, we realized that the actual name in Chinese is "Wu Ba Jiao Tang Bao Xin Fen Yuan (五霸焦糖包心粉圓)." This shaved ice dessert comes with red beans, mung beans, grass jelly, tofu pudding, and heart tapioca. Despite the large portion size, we managed to finish it all. If you enjoy unique desserts, this is definitely worth a try.

Location: Five-bar Caramel Tapioca (五霸焦糖包心粉圓), No. 165, Bo'ai Street.

Price: Starts at 45 NT (GoNeverStop's recommended menu is 60 NT)

10. Mochi: A Renowned Souvenir from Hualien City

Although mochi is often associated with Japan, it is also a popular treat in Hualien City. According to local residents, mochi is a must-try in Hualien. GoNeverStop visited a recommended yellow shop (it is unclear if it is the same yellow shop mentioned earlier) and tried some mochi. Some mochi must be eaten immediately as they have a short shelf life, while others are packaged well and can be taken home as gifts. GoNeverStop found that the mochi that must be eaten immediately tasted better, but it may be less sweet for those who prefer a sweeter taste.

Location: Many brands, many branches in Hualien City, there is also one at the train station. Note that the shops recommended by locals are yellow.

Price: Starting at 10 NT

11. Beef Pancakes: A Fast Food Staple

In the morning, GoNeverStop couldn't stomach a heavy meal, so they walked around their accommodation before settling on a light beef pancake. An English menu was available. The pancake didn't have much of a beef flavor, but it was light and easy on the stomach.

Coordinates: This dish is likely available throughout the city, but the restaurant GoNeverStop visited was Black Bobby Cafe, located near Hualien Railway Station.

Price: 55 NT

12. Potato Chips

While strolling around, I sampled various snacks from souvenir shops. The prices were all quite high, so I didn't buy anything after trying several items. However, I ended up buying something I hadn't tasted. To my dismay, it turned out to be overly sweet with a mediocre texture. I regret my purchase.

Coordinates: Souvenir shops near Hualien Railway Station

Price: 100 NT

13. Enjoy a cup of red milk tea with a steamed bun.

This restaurant was recommended by a fellow guest at the hostel. We braved the light rain to get there, only to find it packed. We had to share a table with other customers. We ordered red milk tea, expecting it to be hot, but it arrived at room temperature. The steamed buns were okay, but they were also a bit cold. Overall, we weren't particularly impressed and would be happy to try another restaurant.

Coordinates: Zhoujia streamed dumplings restaurant, No. 511, Zhongshan Road

Price: Varies depending on how much you eat. GoNeverStop ate alone and finished several dishes for only 70 NT.

While Hualien offers a plethora of culinary delights, GoNeverStop's limited two-day stay only allowed for a sampling of the local fare. If you have the opportunity to visit and dine in Hualien, please share your experiences and recommendations with us.

Traveling and eating are inseparable. Follow us on our journey at GoNeverStop.