Bomb Scallion Pancake
A scallion pancake with an egg cracked in the middle, fried in oil, named for the homophone '炸蛋' (fried egg). This is a truly famous internet food from Hualien. There are two shops, both equally authentic, with similar tastes. The pancake, after being fried at high temperatures, emits a fragrant scallion aroma. When you take a bite, the soft-boiled egg yolk slowly flows into your mouth, offering a unique texture.
Hualien Gongzheng Baozi Shop
A well-known delicious taste throughout Taiwan, many celebrities are loyal fans (it is said that Jam Hsiao eats here every time he returns to Hualien). The main offering is xiaolongbao, which is small and delicate. Unlike other baozi that emphasize the filling, its unique feature is the skin, which not only lacks the sour taste of fermentation but also has a slight sweetness.
One of the must-visit food spots in Hualien, specializing in goose meat. The meat is very tender, and there are often long queues. However, the owner is a bit capricious; to allow more customers to taste the delicacies, each table is limited to ordering only one portion of goose meat. The restaurant's fish roe salad, rice blood cake, and braised meat noodles are also quite distinctive.
A type of wonton, Hualien Wonton was first introduced from Fuzhou by a boss named Dai Ahuo. In 1976, Mr. Chiang Ching-kuo visited Hualien and tasted Yixiang Wonton, which made it famous. Mr. Ma Ying-jeou also tasted this when he visited Hualien.
Made from glutinous rice, the outer layer wraps around various flavored fillings. It has a sweet but not greasy taste and a chewy texture. Originally, it was a delicacy made by indigenous people during festivals, but now it has been improved to become a popular local snack in Hualien.
Dongdamen Night Market
This is an integrated plan that combines several night markets and pedestrian streets, including Fucheng Night Market and Ziqiang Night Market, as well as Indigenous Street and Mainland Provinces Street. It is currently the largest night market in Taiwan. The food and drinks sold here are similar to those in night markets in other Taiwanese cities. One of the highlights worth visiting is the 'Indigenous Street' inside, where grilled salted pork is a distinctive local delicacy in Hualien.
9453 Salt-Grilled Tilapia
The fresh and tender taste of Taiwanese tilapia is well-known to many. In recent years, the salt-grilled tilapia from Hualien has become a popular dish in Taiwan's culinary scene. Located at the rear square of Hualien Train Station, the 9453 Beer Bar is a favorite among locals. The tilapia is grilled with a salt crust, allowing the salt to subtly penetrate the fish meat, achieving a perfect balance of saltiness. The tender and flavorful fish not only attracts locals from Hualien but also food enthusiasts from Taipei and Kaohsiung.
Jiaxing Ice Fruit Shop
Although Jiaxing Ice Fruit Shop is located in the countryside of Xincheng Township, Hualien, it attracts many foodies from Hualien City who drive there. The shop's signature lemon juice is sweet and sour, making it the most popular item. Tour groups that visit Taroko Gorge often pass by this shop (local drivers are familiar with it). If time and parking conditions permit, you can ask the driver to wait a few minutes to take away some treats.
A small restaurant with very good business, especially in the autumn and winter seasons. The locals in Hualien particularly love eating ginger duck hotpot. The base of the hotpot is ginger duck, available in large and small portions. You can order a variety of dishes (duck intestines, duck meatballs, tofu, tofu skin, various vegetables, etc.) to dip into the hotpot. The usual dipping sauce is fermented bean curd sauce. Eating while dipping gives a warm feeling, a taste of happiness.
Qian Ji Breakfast Shop
If you are a big eater and love strong flavors, you must not miss Qian Ji Breakfast. You can order a bowl of noodles topped with chili, accompanied by a half-cooked fried egg and noodles that are both saucy and slightly oily, which is simply the epitome of perfection. In addition, the potstickers and pig blood soup are also must-try dishes at Qian Ji. Qian Ji is the breakfast canteen for locals, so be prepared to wait in line.
Lai Cheng Pork Rib Noodles is a traditional local noodle dish loved by the people of Hualien. It has a slightly Japanese style. The pork ribs are fried to perfection, making them especially crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. The noodles are also very chewy and have a good bite. Accompaniments include golden eggs, kelp, pig head skin, and vegetables. If you enjoy noodle dishes, you should definitely give it a try.
Seafood Market Behind the Pier
In the Pacific Ocean off Hualien, the Kuroshio Current brings abundant fishery resources. The seafood market outside the Whale Watching Pier has several seafood stalls, and there are also restaurants nearby that offer processing services. It is a favorite place for locals in Hualien to enjoy delicious seafood. Currently, there are very few tourists, and the seafood is not only fresh but also reasonably priced, making it highly recommended. Shop location: Entrance of Whale Watching Pier, Fengbin Township, Hualien County.
In the beautiful natural environment of the ranch, you can taste fresh dairy products such as cheesecake, hot and cold milk, fresh yogurt, ice cream, etc. The dairy flavor is rich, fresh, and delicious. Nougat, especially the cranberry flavor, is also recommended and can be purchased as a souvenir.
Manmei Pig Trotter by Vang Vieng Mingli Paragliding Base
The first-generation owner was an old lady named Manmei, who started by selling plain noodles. Later, she gradually switched to selling Hakka-style braised pig trotters, inheriting the salty, fragrant, and oily characteristics of Hakka cuisine. This is a very authentic Taiwanese braised flavor. A bowl of richly flavored pig trotters paired with a bowl of fragrant braised pork rice brings a full sense of happiness. This is a celebrity shop, with the walls covered in photos of various celebrities with the owner.
This is a brand with a history of over seventy years, reflecting the hardworking spirit of the Taiwanese people. In the early days, the Hualien-Taitung railway took about 8 hours. By the time passengers reached Chishang Station, they were already famished. The pioneers of Chishang initially sold sweet potato cakes in front of the station to serve travelers. Later, to empathize with the hardships of those away from home, they began making bento boxes and selling them on the platform. Today, it has become the number one brand of railway bento in Taiwan.
Royal Shandong Beef Noodle Restaurant
Located in Chenggong Town, the Royal Shandong Beef Noodle Restaurant is small in size but has a big reputation. Behind it lies a touching story of two generations across the Taiwan Strait. For decades, the small shop has insisted on hand-cut beef, using natural fermented black beans with beef bones and brisket to carefully simmer the broth. Combined with a secret recipe passed down through the years, it presents bowls of beef noodles with clear and rich broth, full of aroma, and a delightful chewy texture.
