TAICHUNG CITY > DINING > Fuxing Restaurant: Traditional flavors from mainland China

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COMPASS MAGAZINE April 2013
　

復興餐廳
She may be in her 80s, but Mrs.
Meng remains energetic and
very active.

Fuxing Restaurant: Traditional flavors from mainland China

By Niang Chen
Translated by Angel Pu

(04) 2566-4161
301, YueXiang Rd, Zhongyi Township, Daya Dist. (entrance at 301, ZhongQing Rd, Sec 4; directly opposite air force base main entrance)
Hours: 11 am-2 pm, 5-9 pm
(closed Monday nights)
Cash only.
No service charge.

During the 1950s and 1960s, there were plenty of KMT military veterans from different provinces of China living together in veteran villages. Here they would exchange recipes that reminded them of their favorite dishes back home. Today, in one of these Taichung villages--Zhongyi community near Ching Chuan Kang (CCK) Air Force Base--84-year-old Mrs. Meng from Shandong province still moves and thinks at a quick pace, and continues serving as the "head chef" at Fuxing Restaurant, offering Shandong and Sichuan dishes.

Fuxing's reasonably-priced cuisine is suitable for both small gatherings and big feasts. Table set-menu meals (NT$2,500-4,500 per table) are only available if booked in advance and include iconic Chinese home-style entrees such as Chinese Broccoli and Beef, meatballs, Shrimp with Rice Wine, and Crispy Duck.

復興餐廳 Qingdao Pickles (NT$50), made with salty water, Sichuan peppers and Kaoliang wine, is a salty, crispy appetizer. Created out of cabbage, "cellophane" noodles, green onions, cilantro, peanuts and wasabi, Cold Stirred Choy Sum (NT$100/small, NT$150/large) has a flavor that is sour, sweet, and spicy.

復興餐廳 Green onion chunks, chilies and chopped peanuts give the Kung Pao Chicken (NT$150/small, NT$250/large) a refreshing soft and spicy texture and flavor.

復興餐廳 The recipe for Fuxing's dumplings (NT$4 per dumpling) has a 50-year-old history and uses ground pork, leek sprouts, green onions and cabbage.

One of the restaurant's signature dishes, the crispy, appetizing Spicy Beef Belly (NT$180/small, NT$350/large), contains beef belly, Sichuan peppers, spicy oil, sugar and vinegar and takes a lot of time and effort to prepare.

復興餐廳 Sour and Spicy Soup (NT$50/small, NT$150/large) is one of the dishes that reminds old veterans of their hometowns.

This Green Onion Pancake (NT$50) is made the authentic, traditional way with duck fat and green onion