TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Grand Hyatt Taipei is bringing the flavors and stories behind Tainan's everyday cuisine to diners.
Running through Aug. 30 at the hotel's Cafe, the buffet showcases three popular Tainan brands while serving classic local dishes. The buffet features signature Tainan dishes including rice cakes, shrimp bawan, black tea milk, stir-fried eel noodles, and danzai noodles.
The event explores how Tainan's food culture has been shaped by local ingredients, historical influences, and family recipes passed down through generations. Among the featured collaborations is Nuo Fu Migao (糯夫米糕), known for its signature sesame oil pork cartilage rice cake.
Unlike the classic Tainan-style rice cake topped with braised pork, the dish is prepared using a slow-stewing method passed down from the owner's grandmother. Long-grain glutinous rice grown in Houbi District is paired with pork shoulder cartilage and simmered for eight hours, allowing the rice to absorb the flavors of sesame oil, rice wine, and the meat's natural richness.
Also included is Michelin Bib Gourmand-recognized eatery Shian Jeng Shrimp Bawan (鮮蒸蝦仁肉圓). A classic Taiwanese street food, bawan features a chewy, translucent starch wrapper filled with pork and other savory ingredients.
Shian Jeng's version features locally sourced pork shoulder and fresh shrimp. It is steamed before being served with a house-made bonito soy sauce, creating a balance of savory flavors and delicate sweetness.
The third collaboration is Ameima black tea milk (阿美嬤紅茶奶), a nostalgic beverage brand rooted in a family-run grocery store dating back to 1970. Combining Assam black tea, roasted cassia seeds, and milk through a traditional brewing method, the drink recreates the comforting flavors remembered by generations of Tainan residents.
Beyond these local specialties, Cafe is also offering a wider selection of Tainan dishes, including freshly prepared beef soup. Thin slices of fresh beef are placed in a bowl before hot broth is poured over them, cooking the beef just enough to bring out its natural sweetness while keeping the soup clear and the meat tender.
Other specialties include sishen soup and nabeyaki egg noodles. For dessert, guests can enjoy mango shaved ice made with Aiwen mangoes from Yujing District.
Known as Taiwan's “food capital,” Tainan's cuisine has evolved through centuries of cultural exchange, incorporating influences from Indigenous communities, Dutch rule, and the Japanese colonial era. Its coastal waters, mountains, and fertile plains have also shaped the city's diverse ingredients, from seafood and agricultural products to seasonal fruits, according to Ryori Taiwan.
During the promotional period, groups of four diners can receive one complimentary meal. Guests can also join lucky draws featuring Tainan souvenirs, including Yin Po Pudding, best known as Taiwan's earliest pudding brand, products from clothing brand Kouran, and restaurant vouchers.
