Kaohsiung needs more attention for it has the perfect balance of city and slow life, for its amazing xiao long bao, for the choice of bubble tea shops, for its photogenic old district and amazing sunset.
In short, I really love Kaohsiung – so much that we dedicated a day (actually more) to eat our way through the city. We could have explored more if our stomach allows but for now here’s our limit in a day…
What to eat in Kaohsiung?
7-Eleven
Whether you enter Kaohsiung via air or train, 7-Eleven is your safest bet to start eating. The hot steamy Oden 關東煮 and amazing cafe coffee. I strongly recommend the spicy soup and boiled radish! Not forgetting the grilled sausages at the side…
Fun fact: Taiwanese reads 7-Eleven as ‘Seven’ only.
Minced Pork Rice with Duck Egg 前金肉燥飯 (Qian Jin Rou Zao Fan)
Officially the bowl of rice I raved the most to my circle of friends. Rou Zao Fan 肉燥飯 is minced pork rice, very similar to the famous Lu Rou Fan 滷肉饭 except that it is made of leaner meat (If you read Chinese, this article explains it all).
Top it off with an over-easy duck egg and you’re good to go.
The trick is you have to mix everything so you can taste the wonderful mess of ingredients in your mouth – a mouth full of meat, rice, cilantro and meat floss. Might be one of the best meal you’ll have in Taiwan!
Price: 30 TWD for rice, 15 TWD for an egg
Address
No. 26, Datong 2nd Road, Qianjin District, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan 801
801高雄市前金區大同二路26號
Google Maps
Soup Dumplings 永和小籠包 (Yong He Xiao Long Bao)
If you are keen to eat what the locals eat, this stall tucked away in an alley is your best bet. With just 3 tables and a kind owner, this stall serves one of the best soup dumplings at a fraction of Din Tai Fung’s price. Look beyond the appearance, the meat and broth are comparable to the giant chain restaurant but thin chewy dumpling skin is what makes it distinctive.
Price: 65 TWD per portion (9 dumplings), 25 TWD for a bowl of sour & spicy soup OR pig’s blood soup
Address
No. 33, Yancheng Street, Yancheng District, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan 803
803高雄市鹽埕區鹽埕街33號
Google Maps
Braised Duck Rice 鴨肉珍 (Ya Rou Zhen)
We haven’t had much duck in Taiwan so we can’t say this is our absolute favourite but this sure kept us waiting in queue for the longest among all! You could order just the duck and rice to have a taste of it or if there’s a group of you, you can also order a sharing portion of the meat and have a bowl of rice/noodles separated.
If you are feeling a little more daring, they also sell all sorts of duck organs like the heart, stomach and blood pudding.
Price: 55 TWD for a small bowl of rice topped with duck meat
Address
No. 258號, Wufu 4th Road, Yancheng District, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan 803
803高雄市鹽埕區五福四路258號
Google Maps
Cafe 百瓦哥咖啡 (Bai Wa Ge Ka Fei/Baiwago)
A clean look and creative branding is a plus to the tasty drinks although there isn’t many of this brand across Taiwan, they have made a name out of a few drinks including Latte, Chocolate and Lychee Mango Smoothie.
You can grab a cup on your way to board the Ferry towards Cijin Island.
Price: 55-70 TWD per cup
Address
No. 17, Minsheng 1st Road, Xinxing District, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan 800
800高雄市新興區民生一路17號
Google Maps
Seafood Restaurant 万三小吃部 (Wan San Xiao Chi Bu)
Located right in the heart of Cijin Island, it is accessible by bus from Kaohsiung or from the Cijin Ferry Pier. One of the most tourist friendly places with free flow of fruit platter and rice. It is one of the highlights in my day trip to Cijin Island.
Price: Each dish is about 100-150 TWD. Rice, fruit platter and tea are free of charge!
Address
No. 162號, Zhongzhou 2nd Road, Qijin District, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan 805
805高雄市旗津區中洲二路162號
Google Maps
Night Markets
Kaisyuan Night Market 凱旋青年觀光夜市
If you come from Cijin Island, bus 紅9 (literal: red 9) goes directly to Kaisyuan Night Market from the seafood restaurant recommended above.
I strongly recommend the muah chee or glutinous rice balls 麻糬 sold by a young lad. He shaped it into balls using two spoons and looks different from the traditional muah chee but taste amazingly soft. Peanut and chocolate flavours are my personal favourite!
Address
No. 758號, Kaisyuan 4th Road, Qianzhen District, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan 80652
80652高雄市前鎮區凱旋四路758號
Google Maps
Rueifong Night Market 瑞豐市場
One of the best night markets to visit in Kaohsiung and it is always packed! Proving the right decision to visit this place.
We enjoyed the giant tako balls and oyster omelette here although it may be difficult to choose a particular store. Some of the most popular stores are fried chicken and hot plate steak.
Address
804, Taiwan, Kaohsiung City, Zuoying District, Yucheng Road, 南屏路
804高雄市左營區裕誠路南屏路
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