Participants at the 2011
'Taichung Top Gifts' awards
ceremony.

Top Taichung gifts with creative local flair

Words by Douglas Habecker
Translated by Angel Pu

Taiwanese and foreigners can both appreciate the common Chinese custom of bringing gifts when visiting relatives and friends, or returning from a trip. Traditionally, common gift items have included canned products, meat jerky and cookies. Today, however, a whole new range of very creative products is allowing people to give something truly unique that stands out from more run-of-the-mill gifts. What's more, online shopping allows gift-givers to purchase these local specialties from anywhere, making creative marketing all the more important.

In order to promote Taichung specialties, the city government has organized an annual "Top 10 Gifts of Taichung" selection event during the past three years. The criteria for this year's selection process are are gifts that offer local features, tastes, creativity and future promise, with 128 products from 80 brands entered into the primary selection round. Detailed information about every one of these very interesting, often extremely creative, products can be found on the activity website (http://itop10.com.tw). Whether you're thinking about the upcoming Chinese New Year or are visiting Taichung a looking for an exceptional gift or souvenir, this cornucopia of fresh options gives you plenty to to choose from. Following is a sample of just a few of Taichung's top gifts.

A. Xiao Wa Pancake Cookies (NT$200/18 cookies)--Founded in what was formerly Taichung's Dajia township back in 1950, Xiao Lin Cookies has created a wide range of popular snacks, from Bell Custard Cakes to custom-decorated Crunchy Pancakes. Call to order Painted Pancake Cookies (NT$100/ 4 cookies) and you can decorate the cookies by yourself or with your kids.

B. Dajia Ramen Noodles by Traditional Good Food (NT$65/ 5 packs)--There are four varieties of non-fried ramen noodles, including Dajia, Home-Style, Hakka Bantiao, and Chinese Vermicelli, with eight available sauce flavors (Original, Spicy, Sesame Soy Sauce, Vegetarian Shacha Sauce, Soy Sauce with Scallion, Sesame Oil, Shacha Sauce, and Savory Spicy) so that customers can create their favorite combinations. Free shipping is available for orders over NT$1,950.

C. Black Pearl Rice Gift Set (NT$350/ 6 bags)--The Xi Luo Rice Store has been open for over 50 years and promotes high-quality Taiwanese rice, such as the well-known Zhuo-Shui Rice and Jasmine Rice. This gift set contains six 300-gram bags (one meal for four people per bag) of top-quality Zhuo-Shui Rice, which is used by many five-star hotels.

D. Mrs. Ke's Jelly Ear Mushroom Sauce (NT$100/jar)--Mrs. Ke's Jelly Ear Mushroom Shop offers various creative, healthy jelly ear (a common edible fungus) mushroom products, including drinks, salads and soups. The Jelly Ear Mushroom Sauce comes in two flavors--Skipjack Tuna and Seaweed--and can be combined with rice, noodles or salads. According to the owner, this sauce is very versatile and customers often come up with many creative recipes. The gift sets that are now available contain two or six of any items, although customers should call to inquire, as quantities are limited every day.

E. Lai Jia Kaoliang Wine (NT$2,999/ bottle)--Taiwan is one of best-known producers of fine Kaoliang spirits and Lai Jia is considered one of its highest-quality brands. Its award-winning liquor can be found not only in Taiwan, but also in China. Lai Jia offers products for a wide range of special occasions, such as Wedding Wine, Mazu Pilgrimage Wine, and Baby's One-Month-Old Celebration Wine. Their products are full of creativity and very collectible.

F. Natural Fun Konjac Jelly Gift Set (NT$320/ 43 packs)--These gift sets contain various flavors of Konjac jelly (or konjac candy which served in bite-sized plastic cups) such as Osmanthus, Roselle, Rose, Lavender, and Black Sugar. Besides being delicious to eat, these products' elaborate packaging, designed by painting master Chen Ming-shan, makes them perfect gifts for friends and family.

G. Lao Mao Biscuit Roll Assorted Flavors (NT$250/ 5 packs)--One of best features of Lao Mao Biscuit Rolls are the eight creative flavors, which include Scallion, Spicy, and Curry. Every pack contains five biscuit rolls, and they now offer any five flavors for NT$250. Please call to order in advance.

(A) Xiao Lin Cookie
206, ZhongQing Rd., Daya District (headquarters)
Tel: (04) 2569-2356 (Note: To register for do-it-yourself Pancake Cookie decorating, please contact Ms. Ji.)
http://xlcookie.com.tw/

(B) Traditional Good Food
Tel: (04) 2671-0383
http://chinghefeng.com.tw/

(C) Xi Luo Rice Store
49, QingHai Rd., Sec. 1, Xitun District
Tel: (04) 2314-5688
Hours: 8 am-8 pm

(D) Mrs. Ke's Jelly Ear Mushroom Shop
35, HuaMei W. St., Sec. 1, West District
Tel: (04) 2319-0300
Hours: 10 am-8 pm (closed Mondays) Call to order in advance.
http://tw.myblog.yahoo.com/komama-2006/

(E) Lai Jia Co., Ltd.
107-5, BuZi Rd., Buzi Village, Waipu District
Tel: (04) 2683-8111
http://www.laijia.com.tw/index.html (Store information and online shopping. Products are also available at Yuemei Sugar Tourism Factory.)

(F) Taiwan Ri You Tian Industrial Co., Ltd.
661, ZhongMing S. Rd., South District
Tel: (04) 2375-7522
http://www.natural-fun.com/

(G) Lao Mao Biscuit Roll
98, YuMen Rd., Xitun District
Tel: (04) 2463-1077
Hours：10 am-9 pm
http://www.oldcateggroll.com