HOME  CENTRAL TAIWAN DINING
COMPASS
MAGAZINE  November 2009
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By Niang Chen Translated by Ann Lee |
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Master A Hui's Pig Feet
407, ZhongXiao Rd
(04) 2280-6089
Hours: 11 am-8 pm
(closed Mondays)
Master A Hui's Pig Feet has only been in the ZhongXiao Night Market for seven to eight years. Originally selling its namesake products out of baskets loaded on carrying poles in Changhua, this eatery's second generation of owners now has a fixed spot to sell rich, traditional pig feet in the ZhongXiao Market. The feet are cleaned, cooked and then iced for a night for a more chewy texture. These are then stewed in a stock made from tomatoes, onions, green foxtail grass, pork bones, garlic and low-sodium soy sauce for color. You can purchase the whole front leg for NT$500 (2.5-3 catties), while pig feet are NT$60 apiece and lean-meat Long-Feng Legs are NT$60.
A: Happy owner A Hui injects his passion into the pig's feet, satisfying diners with his cooking.
B: Pig Feet (NT$60) and Pig Feet Rice (NT$70) use thoroughly stewed feet with meat that falls apart with the touch of chopsticks, and have a soft, tender texture and wonderful fragrance.
C: Boneless Pig Feet (NT$60) and Long-Feng Legs with rice (NT$70)--A serving of jiggling pig feet skin is a sight that local diners love and enjoy with a bowl of rice.
 
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Fan Zai Road Pig Feet
202-1, ZhongShan Rd, Sec 4,
Taiping City, Taichung County
(04) 2395-9990
Hours: 11 am-8 pm
(closed Sundays)
After 30 years of stewing pig feet, the Fan Zai Road Pig Feet restaurant is still going strong. Owner Lin Chih-Yen says that every time he prepares this delicacy he uses his keenest sense of taste, and plumbs his innermost feelings to move this dish to another level. Once a meat vendor, Lin uses only fresh and not frozen pork to bring out a distinct pig's feet aroma in his cooking. Stewed in a special pot with oil and over 10 different herbs, his specialty dish is rich but not heavy, and flavorful without being overbearing.
A: Fan Zai Road Pig Feet restaurant remains in business after three decades.
B: Pig Feet (NT$60 apiece) are perfect beer snack with all the bones and tendons. The tender and tantalizing meat tempts both ladies and businessmen to dig right in with their hands.
C: Braised Pork Belly rice (NT$60) has generous chunks of pork belly braised in a large pot until the skin becomes creamy-smooth and the meat juicy-soft. This entree comes with three side dishes to form a satisfying meal.
 
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Yong Fang Pavilion
2-12, Lane 167, ZhongZheng Rd, Fongyuan City, Taichung County
(04) 2522-3075
Hours: 10:30 am-11:30 pm
The Four Herb Soup at Yong Fang Pavilion has 70 years of history across three generations and features traditional flavors, accented by the addition of "shu di huang" herbs to create a light, aromatic dark-colored herbal stock. The shop also offers Four Herb Intestines, pig feet and pig stomach (NT$50-60). Whether it is valued as an innovative new flavor or a more traditional one, the sweet stock is one you won't forget.
A: Three generations have passed at Yong Fang Pavilion, as children's lives, growing-up years and joyful memories have all been a part of this eatery for Four Herb Pig Feet, wontons and rice dumplings.
B: Four Herb Pig Feet (NT$60) has a special, changed formula for pregnant women, with the shu di huang herb replacing job's tears to create a dark stock with dong quai, chuanxiong and cinnamon spices and herbs. The skin of the pig's feet is tender and light-flavored, which goes well with the mild soup and faint fragrance of Chinese herbs.
C: The pig feet are made from fresh pork delivered every morning. This is cleaned and then cooked for over an hour. When it is 80% cooked, it is chopped and then chilled on ice. It is then warmed before serving in hot four herb soup, providing a delightful, unforgettable dish.
 
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Nantun Pig Feet Noodle Shop
702, WuQuan W Rd, Sec 2
(04) 2389-8177
Hours: 10:30 am-9:30 pm
Credit cards not accepted.
Pig's feet string noodles are a well-known local cuisine and the Nantun Pig Feet Noodle Shop has been run by Wei-Chen Chi's family for 25 years on WuQuan West Road in Nantun District. Their pig's feet are stewed with "dong quai", or "female ginseng", a type of Chinese angelica root that gives it a distinct freshness and a depth of flavor.
A: The rusted shop sign here shows the wear of many years, symbolic of this delicious eatery's continuing culinary dynasty.
B: Pig Feet Noodles (NT$85) offer meat that will melt in your mouth as you bite through the tender and chewy skin. Nothing beats a big mouthful of the pig's feet and some handmade string noodles, soaked in the dong quai stew sauce.
C: Chinese Meat Sauce Over Rice (NT$25), Rice Blood Cake (NT$30), Chicken Gizzard and Liver Soup (NT$60) and vegetables (NT$30). Seasoned only with fried onions, garlic and pepper and mostly using lean meat, the Chinese meat sauce offers full flavors but none of the usual grease. Add a bowl of chicken gizzard and liver soup to complete a true Taiwanese meal.
 
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