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Tainan has been hailed as the food capital of Taiwan by CNN, and it’s easy to see why! From crispy fried milk fish to the freshest beef you’ll ever taste, the city boasts a variety of authentic Taiwanese food spread across multiple popular streets and night markets. With more and more food joints popping up thanks to the tourism boom, it’s natural to feel overwhelmed by the sheer amount of choices... Nak makan apa intensifies.

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But worry not! This handy Tainan food guide will help you avoid gimmicky tourist traps and eat like a local! Here are 5 famous food spots that even the Taiwanese like to frequent.

Yeh Jia Squid Vermicelli 葉家小卷米粉

Source: Ken&Alice

Yeh Jia Squid Vermicelli has been serving up some seriously-good noodle soup since 1935. Their signature vermicelli noodles - slightly thicker than the usual mihun we’re accustomed to - are served in a light broth topped with big chunks of fresh squids that are deliciously chewy and bouncy. The translucent broth doesn’t taste like the typical salty and suspiciously-sweet Ajinomoto soup -- it has more of a seafood aroma with a hint of celery. This warm, hearty meal costs around RM12, which comes with a generous serving of squids. If you’re looking for a light snack, another speciality here is the fried squid roe seasoned with a dash of pepper (around RM12 for a sharing plate).

Source: Tiffany’s Blog

Address: No. 142號, Section 2, Guohua St, West Central District, Tainan City, Taiwan 700

Business Hours: 8.30am - 3.30pm (Closed on Mondays)

A Ming Pig Hearts 阿明豬心

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Ok, this entry is definitely non-halal, but the Taiwanese do say: one has not tasted real Tainan food until one visits this iconic food joint. Pork is a staple in many Chinese cuisines, and no one has a more eclectic menu than A Ming Pig Hearts. From pork ribs to pork livers to duck intestines, A Ming serves the meat in steaming hot soup that is infused with Chinese medicinal herbs, ginger and rice wine, then topped with a handful of enoki mushrooms. As the shop’s name would suggest, the speciality here is pig’s heart soup (around RM6 for a bowl with a lot of meat), which you can pair with glass noodles or rice (just add RM1).

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A Ming Pig Hearts often attracts massive crowds throughout the day, so it’s important to arrive early and not when you’re already hungry. It’s one of the few Taiwanese food places where you have to fill out an order chit and get a number, but it’s certainly worth the wait!

Address: No. 72號, Bao'an Road, West Central District, Tainan City, Taiwan 700

Business Hours: 5pm - 12am

You Ai Fried Chicken 友愛鹽酥雞

Source: Nash

From Taiwanese sausage to assorted meatballs, You Ai Fried Chicken features an array of fried snacks you can grab and eat on the go. The signature dish here is a simple, no-frills snack -- popcorn chicken with a zing of salt and pepper, which costs around RM6 per serving. Operating from 6pm until 3am, You Ai Fried Chicken is definitely an ideal lepak spot when those midnight cravings hit.

Source: Listen Vision

Source: HeidongShelly

Address: 702, Taiwan, Tainan City, South District, No. 350 Xinxing Rd

Business Hours: 6pm - 3am (Closed on Tuesdays)

A Feng Fu Shui Milk Fish Soup 阿鳳浮水虱目魚羹

Source: Ken&Alice

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From afar, the Japanese influences on the design of this humble little corner shop is clear -- from the cobalt blue signage with yellow accents to the Japanese wave wall art in Hokusai’s style. With over 60 years of history, A Feng Fu Shui Milk Fish Soup specialises in fish ball soup, priced at RM8 for a big bowl with a generous serving of fish meat. The fish balls here stand out from the commercial grade ones -- instead of a round slimy sphere, they are shapeless, chunky and incredibly bouncy when you bite into them. They’re made from fresh milk fish and you can still find pieces of fish meat in them. You certainly won’t be paying for commercialised blended fish paste here!

Source: @j_u_b_y / Instagram

Address: No. 59, Bao'an Road, West Central District, Tainan City, Taiwan 700

Business Hours: 7am - 12am

Shi Tou Xiang Roasted Corn 石頭鄉燜烤香味玉米

Source: Ken&Alice

We Malaysians love our jagung, so why not try Shi Tou Xiang’s iconic roasted corn? The corn here roasted to perfection over a charcoal grill and then coated in a special sauce, making for a fragrant, crunchy and golden brown exterior. When you bite into the corn, which has a sticky rice-like texture, all that sweet and juicy goodness will ooze onto your taste buds and you’ll be craving for more. Those who like it hot can also order the spicy version.

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Address: No. 98號, Bao'an Road, West Central District, Tainan City, Taiwan 700

Business Hours: 2pm - 9pm

If these delicious food got you packing your bags and ready to jump onto the next plane to Taiwan, let Packist help you achieve your dream! We provide the best Taiwan travel packages with premium accommodation and private charter services, covering various cities like Tainan, Taipei, Kaohsiung, Taichung and so much more! Moreover, our itineraries can be customised to suit your interests and preferences, so taking a detour to the food district of Tainan is definitely possible. The 5 eateries mentioned above are quite near to one another so you can try them all in one day!