TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Budai Township in Chiayi County will celebrate its culinary culture at the annual Seafood Carnival on Oct. 4 at the High-Heel Wedding Church.

Budai is a major hub for aquaculture in Taiwan. Around 20% of the nation’s dragon-tiger grouper fingerlings and 70% of Taiwan’s tilapia fingerlings come from the town, according to CNA and the Chiayi County Government.

A key highlight of the event is the seafood banquet, featuring 100 tables that seat 10 guests each. Signature dishes include: steamed dragon-tiger grouper, loofah with clams, milk-based hotpot with milkfish, mullet roe rice, sweet and sour Taiwan tilapia, chilled white shrimp, aged radish chicken soup, salted gourd with milkfish belly, and chawanmushi with milkfish balls, among other local specialties.

Township Mayor Tsai Wei-chieh (蔡瑋傑) noted that it is currently peak season for milkfish in Chiayi. While recent typhoons have slightly affected production and caused minor price increases, he emphasized that the NT$4,500 (US$146) banquet remains an excellent opportunity to savor the freshest seafood Budai has to offer.

Beyond the banquet, the event will feature a local market, interactive exhibits, creative DIY workshops, and free food tastings.

Budai is considered the “hometown of milkfish,” with Xinwen serving as a national production and distribution center. Chiayi produces nearly 6 million kilograms of milkfish annually, with Budai contributing 40% of the county’s output, continuing a cultivation tradition spanning roughly 400 years.