Tales, Legends, and History of Huilan (Hualien) Rambling around the Towns Humanistic Heritages Extended Readings
 
 
  Natural Ecology Tourist Attractions and Scenic SpotsLocal Specialties    
 

 
 
Name of Specialty: Tseng's Muaji
Place of Production:Hualien City , Hualien County
 
Brief Introduction:
  　　The secret of the marvelous taste of Tseng's “Maji” (Glutinous Rice Cakes) is in the soft, flexible, purely handmade skin and the sweet but never-too-rich stuffing. Glutinous rice is ground with water into juice, and press-dried into “dough.” It then goes through a process of beating, rubbing, patting, and slamming, so that the flexibility of glutinous rice is “activated.” Under the motto of “No Anticorrosives,” the producers have developed a method of keeping the cakes fresh from one day to two days. The main varieties are traditional millet muaji, purple muaji, ice-cream muaji, and seasonal fruit muaji.
 
Name of Shop: Tseng's Muaji (Glutinous Rice Cakes)
 
Sources of Data:
  ◎ Tseng's Maji (Glutinous Rice Cakes)http://www.1314.com.tw/
◎Hualien Sightseeing Pamphlet, Hualien County Government, September 25, 2003 , p. 87.

Tseng’s “Muaji” (Glutinous Rice Cake) is particularly delicious became of the soft, flexible, purely handmade skin and the sweet but never-too-rich stuffing.
 
 
Name of Specialty: Ami Muaji
Place of Production:Hualien City , Hualien County
 
Brief Introduction:
  　The Ami Maji (Glutinous Rice Cakes) is a newly-developed product, with a history of only 30 years. The special feature of this cake is the soft “skin” and the flexible stuffing, forming a very special taste and feeling in the mouth. There are seven different flavors, including black glutinous rice, great tea, and Roselle , to appeal to individual tastes.


The Ami Muaji (Glutinous Rice Cake) is wrapped in a thin layer of skin, forming a very special taste and feeling in the month.
 
Name of Shop: Ami Maji (Glutinous Rice Cakes)
 
Sources of Data:
  ◎ Chungtai Foods http://www.dyu.edu.tw/~f9002135/base55.htm
◎Hualien Sightseeing Pamphlet, Hualien County Government, September 25, 2003 , p. 89.
 
 
Name of Specialty: Bienshi
Place of Production:Hualien City , Hualien County
 
Brief Introduction:
  　　Among the Bienshi shops in Hualien City , Yishang is the “Golden Shop,” with a history of more than 70 years. The shop is almost always full. The stuffing is made of the meat of pig's legs because it is leaner and more flexible. The soup is boiled with the bones of pig's legs for a very long time, with the floating fat skimmed, so it is not very oily. The skins of the dumplings are half-handmade, and do not break easily in the boiling water. With fried green-onions, celery chips, and spices, the wonton soup is really a bowl of “Yishang Bienshi” (Fragrant Soup Wonton).



Yishang Bienshi (Bensid; Wonton) is the “Golden Shop” of the Bienshi shops in Hualien, with a history of more than 70 years. The shop is almost always full.
   
Name of Shop: Yishang Bienshi
 
Sources of Data:
  ◎http://www.dyu.edu.tw/~f9002135/base58.htm
◎Hualien Sightseeing Pamphlet, Hualien County Government, September 25, 2003 , p. 87.
 
 
Name of Specialty: Bienshi
Place of Production:Hualien City , Hualien County
 
Brief Introduction:
  　　Dai's Bienshi is also a very famous shop in Hualien, because it holds on to the special recipe of the founder, Granpa Dai A-huo, who began to make his own wontons in the period of Japanese Occupation. The skins are delicate but do not break easily in the boiling water, the meat stuffing is smooth and delicious, and the soup is boiled with the bones of pig's legs, very pleasant to the palate. The shop has been run by three different generations, and is now in the hands of Dai Li-hsiang, the granddaughter of the founder. Under the influence of the Dai family, Bienshi has become one of the favorite foods of the people of Hualien, and also one of the famous local specialties.


Dai’s Bienshi has inherited a unique Japanese tradition. The skin, stuffing, and the soup are all very deliberately prepared.
 
 

Name of Shop: Dai's Bienshi

 
Sources of Data:
  ◎http://www.poja.com.tw/eat/dump1.htm
◎Hualien Sightseeing Pamphlet, Hualien County Government, September 25, 2003 , p. 87.
 
 
Name of Specialty: Little Moon Cake
Place of Production:Hualien City , Hualien County
 
Brief Introduction:
  　　The most famous product of Feng Hsing Cake Store is the Little Moon Cake. The stuffing is made of sword bean, which has been proved to prevent cancer. The emphasis of the production process is placed on the delicacy and moisture of the bean stuffing. The skin is made of crisped layers, which melt smoothly with the stuffing when eaten. The size of the cake is much smaller than before. Because the cake is not so rich as traditional moon cakes, it has become a favorite dessert for all seasons.

Feng Hsing Cake Store is the home of the Little Moon Cakes. The crisped skin and the delicate stuffing melt smoothly when eaten.
 
Name of Shop: Feng Hsing Cake Store
 
Sources of Data:
  ◎http://www.dyu.edu.tw/~f9002135/base57.htm
◎Hualien Sightseeing Pamphlet, Hualien County Government, September 25, 2003 , p. 89.
 
 
Name of Specialty: Hualien Yam
Place of Production:Hualien City , Hualien County
 
Brief Introduction:
  　　The name of the shop “Ebisu” comes from the name of the Japanese Fortune God, one of the seven gods of luck in Japan . The shop was officially approved by the colonial government in the period of Japanese Occupation, and won awards from the Emperors in the Taisho era and showa era, respectively. Taro cake, the pride of the shop, is the origin of what is now called Hualien Yam. The production process and the packing have always followed the tradition.
 
Name of Shop: Ebisu Cake Shop


Ebisu Cake shop offers its pride, the Taro Cake, which is the origin of what is now called Hualien Yam. The production process and the packing have preserved the Japanese tradition.
   
Sources of Data:
  ◎http://www.dyu.edu.tw/~f9002135/base56.htm
 
 
Name of Specialty:
Deli Dried Beancurd
Deli White Plums
Place of Production:Hualien City , Hualien County
 
Brief Introduction:
  　　Deli Dried Beancurd has had a history of more than 80 years, and has long earned the praise of the customers. The secret of its success is in a huge pot of spicy stew-juice which is more than 40 years old. Mr. Liao, the third-generation owner, has improved on the simple five-spice dried beancurd of his father's time by increasing it to eight flavors, including spicy ground pork, garlic, sha cha, and black pepper, etc. Besides, by using vacuum packing, the flavors are better preserved. Also, the white plums, an original “invention” by Mr. Liao, has a very special pleasant taste. These two products are “musts” when you visit Haulien.



Deli Dried Beancurd has a history of more than 80 years. The taste of the beancurd is really unforgettable.
   
Name of Shop: Deli Dried Beancurd
 
Sources of Data:
  ◎http://www.dyu.edu.tw/~f9002135/base53.htm
◎Hualien Sightseeing Pamphlet, Hualien County Government, September 25, 2003 , p. 88.
 
 
Name of Specialty: Laicheng Rib Noodles
Place of Production:Hualien City , Hualien County
 
Brief Introduction:
  　　Most of the traditional rib noodles consist of big piece of fried pork chop, placed on a plate, to go with a bowl of noodles. But at Laicheng's, pieces of rib with meat are coated with starch, fried, put into small bowls and steamed. When a customer orders a bowl of noodles, sufficiently- boiled bone-soup is poured onto the steamed rib pieces, fried green-onions and pieces of leek are added, and everything is then poured into the boodle bowl. Thus, the whole bowl is full of the flavor of the fried ribs. The shop has another specialty, pig's leg noodles. Pieces of pig's legs are stir-fried, stewed in spices, and then steamed for an hour. Thus, the meat is not too oily, and still tastes wonderful

Laicheng Rib Noodles offers a flavor that is really delicious and unforgettable.
   
Name of Shop: Laicheng Rib Noodles
 
Sources of Data:
  ◎http://www.dyu.edu.tw/~f9002135/base60.htm
◎Hualien Sightseeing Pamphlet, Hualien County Government, September 25, 2003 , p. 87.
 
 
Name of Specialty: Roselle
Place of Production:Hualien City , Hualien County
 
Brief Introduction:
  　　The roselle is used in traditional herbal medicine, and is also among the specialties in Hualien. It is slightly sour in taste, and is said to “cool” people down and keep the spirit high. Deli Food Store has made it into a very special glac e .
Roselle Flowers are a specialty in Hualien. The taste is slightly sour, and is said to cool people down and keep the spirit high.
 
Name of Shop: Deli Food Store
 
Sources of Data:
  ◎http://travelking.wingnet.com.tw/hualian/hualian15.htm
 
 
Name of Specialty: Chung-yi Bean Flower
Place of Production:Hualien City , Hualien County
 
Brief Introduction:
  　　Mr. Hsu used to be a vendor of bean flower (diluted beancurd) at the seashore area near Astar Hotel. Because his bean flower was especially soft and delicious, his business was successful. Later, he opened a shop named after his son at the corner of Jitai Building . Though the location is not very prosperous, in Meilun residential area, a lot of people do not mind the distance. Chung-yi bean flower is made of yam powder and jelly, without lime or other minerals. It is a dessert for all ages. The most special ingredient is the peanuts grown by a farmer in Juisui, and Mr. Hsu has the peanuts frozen in a special device of his own design, so that they do not dry out. After the process of peeling, the peanuts are boiled, and each nut is soft and delicious, adding to the flavor of the bean flower. A special chilling technique makes the iced bean flower one of the best cold desserts.




Chung-yi Bean Flower is famous all over the city because it is particularly soft and delicious.
   
Name of Shop: Chung-yi Bean Flower
 
Sources of Data:
  ◎http://www.poja.com.tw/eat/tofu.htm
 
 
Name of Specialty: Yi-hsin Bubble Ice
Place of Production:Hualien City , Hualien County
 
Brief Introduction:
  　　Yi-hsin Bubble Ice is located in the center of Hualien City , and is the most famous shop of cold desserts in town. There is a wide variety of iced desserts in the shop to suit different tastes.
 
Name of Shop: Yi-hsin Bubble Ice

Yi-hsin Bubble Ice offers a wide variety of iced desserts that win the hearts of the customers.
   
Sources of Data:
  ◎http://stone.ccl.hlc.edu.tw/i/is.htm(1998/5/11)
 
 
Name of Specialty: Mrs. Chiang's Beef Noodles
Place of Production:Hualien City , Hualien County
 
Brief Introduction:
  　　Because the late president Chiang Ching-kuo came twice to enjoy the noodles, and because of the neighbors' love and support, Mrs. Chiang's Beef Noodles are also known as Presidential Noodles. The secret lies in the best-cut beef, which is spiced and stewed with a secret family recipe that makes the beef absolutely delicious. The supply is limited, and late-comers have to come the next day. The store is now run by the son, Mr. Chiang Mao-rong, following the family tradition. People never get tired of the special flavor.



Mrs. Chiang’s Beef Noodles are named “Presidential Noodles” because the late president Chian Ching-ku0 came twice to enjoy the noodles.
   
Name of Shop:Mrs. Chiang's Beef Noodles
 
Sources of Data:
  ◎http://www.poja.com.tw/eat/noodle3.htm
 
 
Name of Specialty: Noodle Shop Under the Banyan
Place of Production:Hualien City , Hualien County
 
Brief Introduction:
  　　The things sold at the Noodle Shop Under the Banyan are ordinary stuff found on most noodle stalls. But the taste is a little special, particularly the dry noodles and the pig's blood soup. The noodles are moderately oily and slippery, very tasty and flexible for chewing. And the pig's blood soup is fresh, delicious, and economical. With spiced and stewed intestines, dried beancurds, and cabbages, the meal makes one feel right at home.




The Noodle Shop Under the Banyan has specialties like dry noodles and pig’s blood soup.
   
Name of Shop: Noodle Shop Under the Banyan
 
Sources of Data:
  ◎http://www.libertytimes.com.tw/2002/new/feb/10/life/travel-4.htm
 
 
Name of Specialty: Stuffed Yam Powder Beads
Place of Production:Hualien City , Hualien County
 
Brief Introduction:
  　　The famous Stuffed Yam Powder Beads is located at Jiyu Road and Jungcheng Road . The beads are soft and flexible, and make you feel just comfortable, whether in hot summer days or in the chilly winter.
Stuffed Yam Powder Beads are soft and flexible, giving great feelings in all seasons.
 
Name of Shop:Stuffed Yam Powder Beads
 
Sources of Data:
  ◎http://www.ttcsec.gov.tw/website/ce02/main05.htm
 
 
Name of Specialty: Kao-a-buei Night Market
Place of Production:Hualien City , Hualien County
 
Brief Introduction:
　　“Kao-a-buei” means “Creek's End,” as it is a place near the estuary of a small creek that flows into the sea. In the period of Japanese Occupation, while the Harbor Railway and Hualien Harbor Railway Station were being built, a lot of migrating laborers were attracted by the jobs. And a lot of tea-houses, hotels, movie theaters, Japanese restaurants, and Taiwanese restaurants were opened to make this district a prosperous business area.



Kau-a-buei Night Market is an attractive “Old Street.” The shops are built upon a creek, and they constitute the largest night market downtown. Besides seafood and various snacks, many local specialties are sold here.

Years later, when the North Link Railway was built, business in the old Railway Station area began to decline sharply. However, the Kao-a-buei area has maintained the attraction as an “ Old Street .” Famous stores like Jingcheng Ice Shop, Chuyang Seafood, Chicken House, and various snacks stores are still among the most favored places for snacks. All the stores in this area are built upon the creek, and they constitute the biggest night market downtown. Besides the various food stores, local specialties like muaji, wooden fish, millet cakes, Hualien taro, Hualien yam, and jade are sold in the gift shops. Tourists can enjoy excellent meals and go gift-shopping in the same area.

 
Name of Shop: Kao-a-buei Night Market
 
Sources of Data:
  ◎http://www.ttcsec.gov.tw/website/ce02/main05.htm
◎Hualien Sightseeing Pamphlet, Hualien County Government, September 25, 2003 , p. 88.
 
Copyright © 2004【Ministry of Education． National Central Library】AllRightsReserved.