The Tastes of Tainan and The Western Palate (Western Taste Preferences)

Most North Americans think they know what Chinese food is …

… and they think they like Chinese food.

But when they come to Taiwan, they are quite surprised …

The tastes of Tainan — How will westerners vote?

Common foods “ SAFE ” FOODS FOR MOST WESTERNERS: FOODS MOST WESTERNERS WON’T LIKE: Fried rice (if not too oily) Dumplings ( 水餃 ) Fried noodles Beef noodle soup Turkey rice Stir-fried greens Foods made from fish paste (f.e. 黑輪 ) Foods made from pig blood Organ meats Sweet red beans

Riceboxes Most Westerners can eat an occasional ricebox but do not enjoy eating one every day for lunch. Most Westerners can eat an occasional ricebox but do not enjoy eating one every day for lunch.

“ Hot Pot ” Likewise, most Westerners don ’ t object to “ hot pot ” a few times a year — but they don ’ t love it like the Taiwanese do … Likewise, most Westerners don ’ t object to “ hot pot ” a few times a year — but they don ’ t love it like the Taiwanese do …

Barbecue foods Barbecue foods WILL PROBABLY LIKEPROBABLY WON’T LIKE Chinese sausage Pork slices Chicken (if thoroughly cooked!) Squid “ Olen ”

Steaks in Taiwan Few North Americans are satisfied with steak in Taiwan … Few North Americans are satisfied with steak in Taiwan …

Tainan ’ s famous “ small eats ” WILL PROBABLY LIKEPROBABLY WON’T LIKE Danzai noodles ( 擔仔麵 ) 小籠包 Stinky tofu Pig blood-rice cakes Wǎnkē ( 碗稞 ) Oyster omelets

Soy-marinated Snacks ( 滷味 )

Breakfast foods Breakfast foods WILL PROBABLY LIKEPROBABLY WON’T LIKE Fried egg in a steamed bun Egg crepes ( 蛋餅 ) Rice congee Pork burgers Sandwiches in general, especially ones with shredded pork, olen, etc. Rice balls ( 飯團 )

Breads and Pastries Coconut pastries Coconut pastries Pastries with sweet beans Pastries with sweet beans

Soups Hot and Sour Soup — as long as it doesn ’ t have pork blood … Hot and Sour Soup — as long as it doesn ’ t have pork blood … Most Westerners who have recently arrived in Taiwan find the soups too watery or too bland … Most Westerners who have recently arrived in Taiwan find the soups too watery or too bland … Some of the thickened soups, like 魚羹, seem too “ pasty. ” Some of the thickened soups, like 魚羹, seem too “ pasty. ”

Corn Soup Although corn soup is regarded a part of a “ Western meal, ” it is not that common in the West … Although corn soup is regarded a part of a “ Western meal, ” it is not that common in the West …

Desserts WILL PROBABLY LIKEPROBABLY WON’T LIKE Tea Jelly “ Love Jade ” jelly Crushed ice Bean curd dessert (but no sweet bean toppings!) Sweet red beans Mung bean soup Sweet peanut soups Taro ice cream

Fruits Wax apples (bellfruit) Wax apples (bellfruit) Mango Mango Buddha fruit Buddha fruit Durian Durian

Beverages Fruit smoothies Fruit smoothies Fruit milks (f.e., papaya milk) Fruit milks (f.e., papaya milk) Green and black teas Green and black teas “ Love Jade ” “ Love Jade ” Yogurt beverages (f.e. Yang-le-duo) Yogurt beverages (f.e. Yang-le-duo) Lemon duo-duo Lemon duo-duo Kumquat lemonade Kumquat lemonade Suanmei (Preserved plum) juice Suanmei (Preserved plum) juice Sweet tomato juice Sweet tomato juice Starfuit juice Starfuit juice Sweet asparagus juice Sweet asparagus juice

“ Boba ” tea

Pair Work The Office of International Affairs has asked you and your partner to take two exchange students from Austria for a day trip. You will have the school van and a driver, along with a budget of (only) $1000. Where will you go? What will you eat for lunch? The Office of International Affairs has asked you and your partner to take two exchange students from Austria for a day trip. You will have the school van and a driver, along with a budget of (only) $1000. Where will you go? What will you eat for lunch?