HOME > CENTRAL TAIWAN > TAICHUNG CITY > DINING >
COMPASS MAGAZINE,Dec 1999. VOL. 7 ISSUE 1

Hole in the Wall Of the month: The best of Taichung's Small Local Eateries

by John Chislett

Given the fact that this is the season for celebrating both Thanksgiving and Christmas, there is no better time to try out Taiwan's favorite turkey dish. Traditionally, Chinese have not had the same affinity for the large gobbling bird that Americans do, due to the fact that many locals think the meat is too dry. However, Chiayi-style Turkey Rice (hwo ji rou fan) is the one major exception. As the name implies, this dish hails from the southern Taiwan county of Chiayi, which is also a major turkey-raising area, and consists of savory turkey broth, containing pieces of meat, poured over rice. While there are turkey rice eateries around Taichung, one of the best-known is Chuan Chia Chiayi Turkey Rice, ideally-located on the corner of Meitsun and Kung Yi roads with a bunch of sidewalk tables. Ordering is a relatively simple business. The turkey rice costs NT$30 per bowl and is pretty basic by itself. Consequently, it's best to pick out a couple of the vegetable and meat side dishes that are displayed at the counter. The dishes include things like tofu, broccoli, bamboo shoots, tea eggs and other stewed meats and cost between NT$10 and NT$50 each for filling portions. This provides a tasty, satisfying dining experiences for well under NT$100 per person. In addition to the main store, there are two other branches, in Hsitun district on the corner of Hsitun Road and Hua Mei Street, and in the Tunghai University area, at 40-17, Hsinhsing Road, Lungching Township.