Yilan
宜蘭
Famous for its scallions and traditional foods, Yilan offers authentic Taiwanese flavors in a scenic coastal and mountain setting.
Foods to try in Yilan
Rice Noodle Soup
Rice noodle soup is often cooked up in huge pots, usually containing intestines, other meats, or vegetables. Noodles can be on the thicker side as pictured here, but also come in a thinner vermicelli variant.
Shaved Ice
To create the dessert, a large mound of ice shavings are first placed on a plate. In the past, ice shavings were created by hand, either by using a large mallet to crush ice into fine pieces, using a large freehand blade to shave off ice, or turning a hand-cranked machine to do the same. In modern times, a special machine is used, resulting in ice-shavings that are much finer and thinner than those in the past. Some establishments may still produce their ice by hand, and thus the texture varies. A variety of toppings are then added. Traditionally, sugarcane juice or syrup was added to give it a mildly sweet taste, like that of drinking sugarcane juice with ice cubes, but other options include various kinds of syrups or condensed milk, or both. Examples of toppings include fruit, taro, azuki beans, mung beans, sweet potato chunks, peanuts, almond junket, and grass jelly. Various pre-set combinations exist, but customers can often choose individual toppings as they desire.
Braised Pork Rice
Minced pork rice is a Taiwanese style rice dish commonly seen throughout Taiwan and China's Fujian province. The flavor may vary from one region to another, but the basic ingredients remain the same: ground pork marinated and boiled in soy sauce served on top of steamed rice.
Flaky Scallion Pancake
The flaky scallion pancake is savory, fried, crispy, and a little bit chewy. Similar to a standard scallion pancake, the notable difference is the skin can be easily pulled apart, and is thinner and lighter to eat. Most stands will often offer the option to add an egg and other toppings from basil to bacon to cheese.
Chicken Rice
The Taiwanese rendition of chicken rice generally features shredded chicken and chicken oil over white rice. Chicken rice is often eaten as a lunchtime set with egg and vegetables, but can be enjoyed at any time of the day - even breakfast. Many flock to Chiayi to eat chicken rice where it is most famous.
Fish Ball Soup
A comforting Taiwanese soup featuring bouncy, handmade fish balls made from fresh fish paste, served in a clear, flavorful broth. Often accompanied by rice noodles and fresh vegetables, this humble dish showcases the skill of traditional fish ball making where the texture must be perfectly springy yet tender.
Oyster Omelette
A beloved Taiwanese night market classic featuring plump fresh oysters mixed with eggs and sweet potato starch, pan-fried until crispy on the edges and soft in the center. Served with a sweet and savory pink sauce and fresh lettuce, this dish (known as "oh-ah-jian" in Taiwanese) perfectly balances textures and flavors.
Roasted Duck
Succulent duck roasted until the skin is crispy and the meat tender, often served chopped into pieces with rice and pickled vegetables. This dish showcases traditional Chinese roasting techniques adapted to Taiwanese tastes, with the duck typically seasoned with five-spice and other aromatics before being slow-roasted to perfection.
Fried Chicken Cutlet
An iconic Taiwanese street food featuring a large, crispy chicken breast fillet coated in seasoned batter and deep-fried to golden perfection. Often served on a stick and seasoned with five-spice powder, salt, and pepper.
Mutton Soup
A hearty Taiwanese soup featuring tender mutton in a clear, aromatic broth flavored with ginger and Chinese herbs. Often served with rice noodles or vermicelli, this warming dish is prized for its rich, gamey flavor.
Tapioca Pearls Dessert
Chewy tapioca pearls served in sweet syrup, shaved ice, or milk tea. These translucent balls made from tapioca starch are a staple in Taiwanese desserts and bubble tea, prized for their bouncy QQ texture.