FOODIEN - A Food and Eating Magazine for Hualien Taiwan by Hua-Young

Winter 2016-2017

F O O D I EN

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Hualien

Foodien is Here!

text by Winnie Kang

Magazine Philosophy A magazine brand spotlights all the focus on its content. For instance, Vogue, the flagship of the fashion industry, not only provides models with runway opportunities but is a medium sharing fashion trends as well. A spring or autumn collection displayed by Vogue always becomes a world-famous fashion trend. Ambitious Intention Today, our aim is to create a magazine brand for restaurant introductions, with a specific focus on a city in Taiwan, Hualien. If Google is the biggest search engine for all the information we need, then Foodien will be the most distinguished "search engine" magazine for information and details about restaurants. Workshop Members and Magazine Focus The magazine workshop team consists of Pollyanna, Angel, Sophia, and Terry as well as myself. Each is responsible for introducing at least two restaurants through firsthand eating and drinking experience, including breakfast and brunch, lunch, dinner, and even night market supper. In addition, we have created detailed introductions to several exotic restaurants. Another Vision As we publish our magazine, we all conceive the same goal: to help make Hualien a more international and better-known city through our restaurant introductions. We are also inspired to set an example of practical work in the community for others to follow.

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Content

Messages from the Editors Everyone may have some plans for the future, and we are no exception. However, it seems that ‘change’ itself is a tough homework for every one of us on the Foodien team. One kind of change may occur through the determination to become better. Another is to be totally, definitely, and absolutely innovative and creative. As on ‘Blue Mondays’, people may be tired of their work, but for us, magazine work brings color to our university years. Winnie Kang

Breakfast

pg. 1

Brunch

pg. 7

Lunch

pg. 15

Afternoon Tea

pg. 18

Dinner

pg. 23

Set Your Sight on the Night Market

pg. 29

I am very pleased to serve as an editor for this magazine. First, I would like to thank our instructor Mike Hemsley for leading our course and our team members for their hard work. Thanks to all of them Foodien magazine will help you become a wellinformed foodie in Hualien. Angel Chang Designed by Asierromero / Freepik

Foodien Team

Advisor: Prof. Michael Hemsley Editors: Angel Chang and Winnie Kang Design: Pollyanna Liao and Sophia Chung Production: Supot “Terry” Saeper Contributors: Angel Chang, Winnie Kang, Pollyanna Liao, Sophia Chung, and Supot “Terry” Saeper

Foodien is a course publication of EL3041, the Department of English Language and Literature, Tzu Chi University. http://www.ell.tcu.edu.tw/ III

工作團隊指導教授：漢明遠教授編輯: 張易安康晏玲設計: 廖婉均鐘子昀製作: 劉志達作者: 張易安康晏玲廖婉均鐘子昀劉志達課程：英文雜誌與編輯實務 EL3041, 大學：慈濟大學英美語文學系 http://www.ell.tcu.edu.tw/

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Breakfast Start your day

Fuqian Food FOODIEN by Students of Tzu Chi University; Department of English Language and Literature

Text & pictures by Angel Chang

Fuqian eating square, a Chinese style breakfast bar in Hualien, is the favorite of people who live in Hualien. The reason is that this style of food is very attractive to the style of Taiwanese people. In this store, all of the dishes are handmade. Environment When you drive down Fuqian Street, you will see this store right away. In front of Fuqian Food Square there is a green tunnel of trees. When you sit down to enjoy your breakfast, you will see the beautiful scene outside.

with it !

Square

Omelet The Chinese omelets are made by the owners. They are very crispy and appetizing, so it will make you want to eat more and more. You can pour a little of a garlicky sauce on the omelet, and it will taste fantastic. Pan-fried Bun Another fantastic food here is pan-fried buns. They are so popular that if you are late, they will sell out. Each has skin which is both a little crispy and doughy. When you eat it, the filling is very juicy inside. The stuffing of these buns contains many ingredients including lots of meat, cabbage, and green bean noodles. Drinks You also can order some beverages, like black tea or soya milk. These are very cheap and on the large side. Address: 970花蓮縣花蓮市府前路84號 No.84, Fuqian Rd., Hualien City, Hualien County 970 Tel: 03-823-0715 Opening: Every day except Sunday of the third week of each month. 2

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ALMOND Tea MAKE it yourself

FOODIEN by Students of Tzu Chi University; Department of English Language and Literature

Text by Angel Chang

No.295-2, Sec. 2, Jianguo Rd., Hualien City, Hualien County 970, Taiwan 973花蓮縣吉安鄉建國路二段295-2 Time: 06:00 – 11:00

Text & pictures by Angel Chang

Almond Tea is a breakfast store near the Tzu Chi campus of Humanities and Social Science. The shopkeeper is a very down to earth and kind person. The reason is that she wants each dish to be popular. Once, I saw her become very angry because her worker didn’t arrange an omelet beautifully. If you are a tourist or student in Hualien, I highly recommend you to try this place. There are many varieties of omelet, like original, fried bread

If you have a sweet tooth, you can’t miss oreo cheesecake. You can make it by yourself without having to worry about an oven. Just follow these few simple steps to enjoy your soft cake.

Ingredients 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

stick, onion, bacon, and cheese. The most special flavor on the menu is cheese omelet. Why it is attracting me? Because it tastes scrumptious. Inside of the cheese omelet, there is not only cheese but also toast. The toast will be fried before being put into the omelet. When I ate this, I felt very full. The turnip cake here is also really delicious. If you like, you can ask shopkeeper to sauté it darker for you. Almond Tea also sells many kinds of bun.

If you want to eat buns or steamed bread, this will be the best choice. Another advantage of this store is that everything is very good value. As for drinks, there are almond tea, milk tea, black tea, and soy milk. Of course, the specialty of this shop is almond tea, and it’s also very reasonably priced.

Oreo cookies 80g (for the base) Unsalted butter 20g Cream cheese 350g Sugar 50g 2 eggs Vanilla extract 1cc Oreo cookies 180g (for the filling)

Directions (cake base) 1. Crush the Oreo cookies (80g). Put cookies into machine to grind or put into a Ziploc bag to crush by hand. 2. Melt the butter and mix with the crushed cookies. Directions (filling) 1. Crush the Oreo cookies (180g). 2. Mix with remaining ingredients. Mix the cream cheese, egg, sugar, vanilla extract and Oreo cookies together. To Finish 1. Press the base mixture into a flat round dish or sponge tin. 2. Spoon the filling on top and smooth off. 3. Put the cake into the refrigerator overnight or for about eight hours.

Day Small

FOODIEN by Students of Tzu Chi University; Department of English Language and Literature

Text & pictures by Angel Chang

Small Day Tree is a vegetarian breakfast bar. Do you have a problem finding many options for breakfast? Do you eat similar things every day? This store is the best choice for vegetarians, and it includes both Western and Chinese style dishes. You should try it. The Food

Sandwiches and Hamburgers: the stuffing is solid, and they are filled with lots of vegetables. When you finish either one of them, you will feel full. Chinese Omelet: if you are late, these will be sold out. Never go to Small Day Tree without trying the Chinese omelet. Noodles: if you prefer noodles, this restaurant can also meet your need.

The Drinks

I highly recommend the sesame milk, especially the hot one. If you prefer sweet flavors, you can choose the cold one. When you drink it, the rich and aromatic flavor of milk lingers in your mouth.

Address: No.1, Ln. 453, Zhonghua Rd., Hualien City, Hualien County 970, Taiwan (R.O.C.) 970花蓮縣花蓮市中華路453巷1號 5

Brunch and Blessedness

FOODIEN by Students of Tzu Chi University; Department of English Language and Literature

Name: Happiness Sunlight 幸福日光 Address: No.20, Guofeng St. Hualien City, Hualien County Taiwan (R.O.C.) 花蓮市國豐街20號 Phone number: 03-831-6369 Open daily: 8:30-17:00

Text & pictures by Sophia Chung

late Never

too

There are many brunch restaurants popping up in Hualien city, but Happiness Sunlight is the best one for people who like to eat organic and healthy food.

for

11 A.M's pals

Brunch

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Everyone has some experience of being too tired to wake up, and finding they have missed breakfast. Now, you do not have to worry about missing it; we will introduce some brunch restaurants to you. Located on Guofeng Road in Hualien city, Happiness Sunlight has some fairy-tale and cute decoration. Setting it up with wooden chairs and tables, the owner hopes the people who walk in can feel relaxed and comfortable.

FOODIEN by Students of Tzu Chi University; Department of English Language and Literature

Let me introduce their tasty brunch to you. This meal tastes so good with organic eggs. You can drink beverages such as milk tea and black tea to your heart’s content. The owner puts all of the drinks on shelves to let customers take them by themselves. After waiting about ten minutes, I raise my head and find the waiter carrying a plate of food to me.

“Eating a tasty brunch in this special restaurant is the most relaxing moment to me.” I ordered the meal named Sunlight Meal. There are four slices of whole bread with raisins, some vegetables, and fruits on the plate. To me, the tastiest are the scrambled egg and mashed potatoes. Upon putting them into my mouth, I feel them melt on my tongue.

“ Cheese & Tomato” with eggs benedict was the meal that my friend Barbie ordered. Before coming to this restaurant, she was afraid that she would not have many choices because she is a vegetarian. To her surprise, there are various meals for vegetarians to choose from. As a crazy fan of eggs benedict, Barbie chooses “Cheese&Tomato” without hesitating. As soon as she gets her meal, she slices her eggs to let the yolks and cheese flow out. Like the “Sunlight Meal”, “Cheese&Tomato” comes with some vegetables and fruit as well. It is hard for a woman to eat up all food on the plate because the portions are so big. With its filling meals and beverages, we eat at Happiness Sunlight till full, and feel satisfied. 10

LET’S GO Hower

FOODIEN by Students of Tzu Chi University; Department of English Language and Literature

Text & picture by Sophia Chung

Near Tzu Chi University, Hower is the best restaurant for students. Its big portions makes me forget my sense of hunger.

Delicate Textures, Delicate Tastes

Famous for its bagels, the second restaurant is called Hower. As we wait for our meals, the owner comes to chat with us, telling us the difference between bagels in Taiwan and ones in other countries. Here, we often eat bagels that are too hard to chew, so we have to drink a lot of water or juice to help us cope with them. In contrast, we seldom eat the similar ones in other countries. The owner tells us that a foodie who comes from Australia thinks the bagels in Hower are similar to those in his hometown. Chewing a bite of the bagel, you will find it is crispy outside and tender inside. In addition to bagels, Hower restaurant is known for yogurt. The restaurant owner puts some nuts and black sesame on hers, and suggests that we stir them together, so that we can have a taste of sweet and sour.

Name: Hower 霍爾廚房 Address: No.29, Yichang 1st St. Ji’an Township, Hualien County Taiwan (R.O.C.) 花蓮縣吉安鄉宜昌一路29號 Phone number: 0938968217 Open daily: 9:00-16:00

“Chewing a bite of the bagel, you will find it is crispy outside and tender inside.”

Relaxing Feel

The environment of the restaurant makes us feel relaxed. The considerate owner has decorated a small space that has some toys for children to play with; she hopes it can help customers who have children enjoy meals without feeling bothered. Eating brunch in such a beautiful place lets you start a new day in a nice mood. The owner has put two little teddy bears on the wall, and some pillows on the sofa. With warm light and blue music, you can spend a whole afternoon chatting with friends here. 12

FOODIEN by Students of Tzu Chi University; Department of English Language and Literature

Time Traveler

FOODIEN by Students of Tzu Chi University; Department of English Language and Literature

Address: No.33, Gongyuan Rd., Hualien City, Hualien County 970, Taiwan (R.O.C.) 地址：970花蓮縣花蓮市公園路33號

Text & pictures by Winnie Kang

Tel: 03-8310006 Opening Hours: Weekdays 06:00 - 11:30; Holidays Weekends 06:30 - 12:00

Interaction with Other Customers

I may be the same as you, and usually just casually choose a restaurant, but I discovered Time Traveler has an attractive atmosphere and is a good place to stay all morning. It started with the first impression…

Time Traveler is a place I had passed by throughout my senior high school years. I was a student at both schools near this breakfast and brunch restaurant. It was not that popular at that time. However, I remember the restaurant experienced renewal 13

decoration several times, which was also a key point that began to attract more and more customers. Its popularity has also increased in recent years.

Then begin the habit of stepping into the restaurant every Friday morning… After I leave, I can easily outline what the

restaurant looks like and even what kind of tables there are. I feel lots of effort, time, and energy has been put into Time Traveler. When I step into it, I may be lucky, for I don’t need to wait for an available table. I always hope I can choose not the classroom tables and chairs but the tables with sofa chairs because I feel relaxed if I have brunch with my friend. Over half the tables in the restaurant are classroom tables, which provokes our memories especially of our junior high school years, when we used liquid paper to play practical jokes through writing our puppy love on the tables. There is also a blackboard used to provide the menu information. Therefore, I can think of myself as a time traveler back to be a junior high school student if I have breakfast or brunch here. The classroom table numbers are out of order, and I also see a red model boat displayed apparently right behind the restaurant.

A fragment of a saying by Albert Einstein goes that it is good to live as if everything is a miracle. When it comes to surprises in Time Traveler, I may suggest you interact with the other customers in the restaurant.

“I want to create an environment which feels like we are ‘traveling’ back to the earlier students’ era.” A Short Interview With the Boss

Q: How long have you been running this restaurant? A: It has been 6 years now. Q: Have you met any difficulties and problems in managing it? A: During the first half year, the restaurant ran into a loss. Q: How many times have you redecorated the building? A: Actually, there have

the substitution of the bosses. Q: Why are there so many school tables in your restaurant? A: Now that ‘time travel’ is the main theme of the restaurant, I made a successful attempt to get the blackboard and the tables from the junior high school nearby. I want to create an environment which feels like we are ‘traveling’ back to the earlier students’ era. Q: What made you think of the name for your restaurant? A: There is a book published by Commonwealth Publishing Co., Ltd, which has the same name as the restaurant. I was inspired by the ideas in that book. Q: What was your original goal in running the restaurant? A: I used to work in a hotel. At that time, I just wanted to manage it as a sideline. If it became a business, I would authorize coworkers to work for me. And that’s what happened.

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Lunch Take a break

from your work

FOODIEN by Students of Tzu Chi University; Department of English Language and Literature

Pasta Coffee Space and Wine Text & pictures by Winnie Kang

A good restaurant atmosphere attracts people to Minde 4th gather and sparks an ador- Address:No.35, St., Hualien City, Hualien ing and delighted mood County 970, Taiwan (R.O.C.) between us. Here we take 地址: 970花蓮縣花蓮市民德四 a look at what makes for 街35號 Tel: (03)8327543 a good atmosphere and a Opening Hours: restaurant in Hualien which 11:30~15:00; 17:30~21:00 Closed: Tuesday & gets it right. Wednesday

provide customers with an environment to enjoy If people make their coffee but also make remarks on others through them feel just like they are their first impression, then at home. As for the details atmosphere will also be one of creating an adorable of the references we use atmosphere, here are four pair of slippers before I to remark on a restaurant. elements for you to take entered the restroom. Its That is because great food into consideration or use as cleanliness was completely itself won’t be enough to a reference on how to be a beyond my imagination. provide customers with restaurateur. It is just because of its the best satisfaction and cleanliness that a public service. space can be so elegant. This is the most What made me more A successful catering determining factor. The amazed was the crowd in industry entrepreneur must restroom is especially the gas station. Cleanliness have a good philosophy important and is always a results in tidiness and before they create a contributing factor in your this in turn has a kind of restaurant. Take the successful management domino effect. Therefore, most famous coffee shop, and profitable business. a dirty room, even with ‘Starbucks’, for instance; Let me share with you an delicious food, reduces our ‘Starbucks’ is just like other experience I once had while appetites. By the way, if cafés, but what makes it traveling around the whole your kitchen is right beside successful? Every café of Taiwan. Stopping at a your dining area, you may boss strives for their goals gas station near Taitung, need to pay attention to to make their coffee the I astonishingly found out getting rid of the smell of best, but ‘Starbucks’ had a that I needed to take off cooking different philosophy. That my shoes and put on a Background: designed Onlyyouqj/ by Freepik is, they aimed to not only 16

Atmospheric Attraction

CLEANLINESS

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FOODIEN by Students of Tzu Chi University; Department of English Language and Literature

LIGHT

It is an option whether or not to choose brighter light to set the tone. It is suggested that a restaurant with several windows will feel awesome before and during the evenings. For the interior design, you can choose between several kinds of light. For example, what makes a palace manifest a gorgeous, luxurious, and glittering atmosphere is effective use of lights and windows.

COLOR and ARTWORK

Not only can we make good use of furniture but also anything else we can see, for example, wall color, to elaborate the atmosphere. If you prefer to create an exotic style for your restaurant, it is another choice to hang a masterpiece directly related to the theme you like, or make use of natural elements.

Exoticism House

Whether you just choose Exoticism House casually for a first time date with your darling, or it is your choice of gathering place to enhance the internal cohesion in your company, the restaurant will definitely take your breath away, and from then on you will love it 17

Due to Exoticism House combining the four Of all the various elements of cleanliness, light, colour and and distinguished restaurants in Hualien, artwork into its design, its theme, and you may have your even its philosophy, heart set on some it accomplishes its particularly preferred uniqueness. I strongly ones. This seems to be the same feeling people suggest you choose a leisure day to have have in a love affair with a man or a woman, dinner with your close friends or your but this is not like the family in Exoticism idea of home-wrecker but like a lover for your House because you will experience the stomach and appetite. sensation of being in a Since 2008, Exoticism noble place. House has been the one that is in my heart beyond all other pasta-based theme restaurants. Not only do I have a soft spot for it but having my lunch alone there I heard two customers talking to each other with words full of compliments toward its fantastic and elaborate style management. from head to toe.

Through making a detailed and clear observation, you can find some exotic elements and flavor which add to the interaction with your close friends and your family. Taking a close look at the artwork, signs, and decoration in Exoticism House, you may discover that they all have connection with pasta, coffee, and wine. The cashierâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s counter and their kitchen are combined together. It is like a bar with glasses and frying pans hanging

Afternoon Tea Relax a bit

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FOODIEN by Students of Tzu Chi University; Department of English Language and Literature

Text & pictures by Pollyanna Liao

TIRA MISU Can't Wait to Taste Tiramisu, a coffee-flavored Italian dessert, is also a popular cake store in Hualien, which also sells online. If you take a look on the web, you will discover Tiramisu is one of the top dessert stores in Taiwan. So when you visit Hualien, I will instantly recommend you to stop off in this famous patisserie for a relaxing teatime.

hen it comes to the most renowned local cake store in Hualien, Tiramisu is always the name that first comes to your mind. This dessert store founded in Hualien in 1993 has eight branch stores in Taiwan and is popularly selling products online. If you visit Hualien, you must come to the first Tiramisu store to enjoy the original flavor. 19

The shop is isolated from the Hualien’s city center, and probably will be hard to reach if you are a brand new arrival from another county. Following the map you will find Zhongyuan Road, and the store sign, which is an angel, will appear in your field of view. The original meaning of the word tiramisu is ‘to pick me up’ (帶我走). According to

“You must love this multi-level dessert!” “desirable smooth texture” legend, an Italian man was preparing to go on campaign in World War II, and to remind him to think of his wife and children, his wife mixed dairy products and cookies to become a delicious new food.

fter we step inside the store, various other desserts, we notice white like cheesecakes, decoration through strawberry brownies all of the space. A and blueberry pies. showcase is set at the All of the desserts are front, and customers great value. You not have several choices only savour fantastic of beautiful desserts desserts but also get waiting for them to super low prices; if you order and take away. visit another dessert Before you order, store, you will not find you should consider the same value you get the specialness of here. this tiramisu. It has a desirable soft smooth texture which comes with chocolate flavor and crispy cookie at the bottom of the cake. You must love this multi-level dessert! Tiramisu also produces

Tiramisu is served as one of the best pep-up desserts in the afternoon, and it can be quite complex or simplistic. It contains both caffeine and alcohol in a creamy cheese mixture which is served in layers. Tiramisu 提拉米蘇 Address: No.738, Zhongyuan Rd., Hualien City, Hualien County 970, Taiwan (R.O.C.) (花蓮縣花蓮市中原路738號) Phone Number:03-8526722 Opening Hours:9:00~21:00

Tasty French Dessert at Frontière Française

FOODIEN by Students of Tzu Chi University; Department of English Language and Literature

Text & pictures by Pollyanna Liao

Visiting Hualien for the first time, this famous French dessert restaurant must be your first stop when you desire a fantastic afternoon tea. In Frontière Française, close to the center of Hualien, there are various desserts and teas. After enjoying a delicious brunch, the body must desire to take a little rest and have a seat in a quiet place. Let’s delight in taking afternoon tea in Hualien. If it is your first time to visit, Frontière Française is the most well-known patisserie I would recommend to you. 21

When you step inside, you can feel the environment is tranquil and calm, giving minds a comfortable rest. The arrangement of the seats is tidy. Though a little narrow inside, this afternoon tea restaurant still manifests a cozy and warm mood. Customers here chat delightfully and get pleasure from the

joyful afternoon time. Even if you visit alone, you can work by yourself with a laptop relaxing all the same. This tea break restaurant offers several sorts of fantastic desserts and a variety of tea and drinks. At the counter, there is a showcase displaying delicious authentic French desserts. The pastry chef graduated from École Nationale Supérieure de Pâtisserie (ENSP), in Yssingeaux, then returned to Taiwan to open Frontière Française. Rèconforts, Trois au Chocolats Mousse, Madeleines, Alpaco chocolate by Valrhona, and so on, are displayed in the showcase to catch customers’ eyes. One sweet, which I regard as the most delicious in Frontière Française, and I recommend you to try, is called “Rèconfort”. The filling of Rèconfort is caramel mousse with a slight vanilla bouquet.

FOODIEN by Students of Tzu Chi University; Department of English Language and Literature

72% chocolate and pie crust pick up the dessert’s multi-level flavor. If you are not a sweet-tooth, this is one you must take a chance on because of its bitter-sweet. While customers share their tasty desserts, they can match some tea to reduce the sweetness. There are many kinds of tea you can choose from, and all of them come from a French tea brand, Løv Organic, which sells only organic tea. If you cannot quickly figure out which tea you want to order, the menu shows every tea’s ingredients clearly. Also, the clerks will be willing to help you make the decision. Some drinks are specially made, and all of them are worth giving a try.

Frontière Française 邊境法式點心坊 Address: No.73, Mingzhi St., Hualien City, Hualien County 970, Taiwan (花蓮市明智街73號) Phone Number: 03-8315800 Opening Hours: 11:00-21:00

D I N N E R

n i MADINA e n i D

FOODIEN by Students of Tzu Chi University; Department of English Language and Literature Provided by Madina

Dive in a Spice bowl

Ho Ping Rd. No. 482 花蓮市和平路482號

Text & pictures by Terry

Open Daily: 11:00 - 14:00, 17:00 - 21:00 Phone: 03-8334921/0912-308786 www.facebook.com/MadinaHualien

“Although it is simple, we put our heart and soul into our delicious meals”

---The owner

End your day with supper

Namaste! There is no better or more delicious curry than one made by native people. After working the whole day long or travelling for miles, perhaps you can stop by this Indian-style restaurant. Filling your stomach with aromatic and appetizing dishes, here you can get your dinner with a different type of cuisine. As you step into Madina, a waiter will come to greet you with a smile, asking you “How many people?” and offering you seats. In the restaurant, the menu is under a piece of glass on your table. All you have to do is wait for the waiter to take the order from you, and a cup of milk tea will follow; and yes, the tea is free. Since the hero

of the restaurant is curry, there is variety of diverse curries you can choose such as fish, chicken, or lamb. Yet, the restaurant also offers vegetarian curry for veggie eaters. In addition, you have the choice of spiciness ranging from mild to strong. Apart from the main course, they also offer some appetizers including fried chicken legs and fried goat meat.

Just a little moment… and here you are: the delicious curry emerges from the kitchen. You might be curious when they serve you the curry dish without something else to accompany it. Don’t worry. After they bring you the star of the restaurant, the waiter will also bring you some chapatis (roti). Chapati is a flatbread originating

Provided by Madina

FOODIEN by Students of Tzu Chi University; Department of English Language and Literature

All the Way to “Siam” Text & pictures by Terry

the most wonderful tastes to customers, adapting to local people’s eating behavior. The owner does not only take care of flavor, but also the the local people heart and palate. from the Indian subcontinent and made from stoneground wholemeal flour, that is eaten in India, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Malaysia and Bangladesh. You can tear it into small pieces, putting curry on top, and the flavor is pleasing to the palate. Nearly a decade ago, Madina was born in this small town. The Pakistani owner admires the environment full of green and beautiful scenery, and it became a main reason for him to open an Indian restaurant in Hualien. In the past, the restaurant was 25

opened only Friday to Sunday. With his kindness, and not wanting to lose customers’ trust, he decided to evolve it into “open daily” for diners. However, if the restaurant is closed, you can assume that the owner and his family have important affairs to take care of. Madina’s menu choices are similar to some of the top-ranking restaurants in Taiwan or other countries because it does not have unlimited selection. Actually, the owner wants to make it simple yet extremely delicious by his heart and soul. He wants to bring

Siam, an old reference to Thailand, has wider range of delicious food than you can ever imagine. Thai cuisine has been one of the most popular cuisines around the world because it is easy to replicate with simple

ingredients. Since a lot of foodies enjoy Thai food, many Taiwanese restaurateurs decide to learn how to cook it and bring the local aroma to their own land. Since you are in Hualien, you may wonder whether there are any Thai restaurants nearby. Well, Hualien does not make food lovers disappointed.

The owner often goes to Taichung , helping his brother and his son with other business. But when he is in the restaurant, his generosity and smile make you feel at home; he asks how are you doing, helping you enjoy your dinner with warmness. He occasionally comes back to your table, making conversation, or replenishing your empty cup with milk tea. The restaurant provides excellent food to customers as well as creating an unbreakable bond between restaurant and consumers.

Xian Luo, which means Siam or Thailand, is one of the highest recommendations among Hualien people. With an unfamiliar language song approaching you at the threshold, you can immediately feel that you have just arrived in Thailand. After a moment, the Thai traditional aromatic smell greets you and

Atmosphere within the restaurant

Outside the restaurant

Traditional Thai rice topped with stir-fried pork and basil Provided by http://forone09.pixnet.net/

FOODIEN by Students of Tzu Chi University; Department of English Language and Literature

Traditional Thai milk tea

Fu Xing Rd. No. 71 花蓮市復興街71號 Open time: 11:00-14:00, 17:00-20:30 Closed: Wednesday and Thursday Phone: 03-8338600 www.facebook.com/DineAtSiam guides you to your seats. A menu is already on the table, all you have to do is choose and choose; but, here is a warm reminder: nearly all Thai food is spicy, so please consider how hot you want your dishes to be before making any firm decision. The menu choices, separated into three main categories, include appetizers, entrées, and beverages. When you are done, simply take the menu to the counter, and wait for their arrival. Xian Luo wants you to enjoy your lovely meals before leaving the building.

Rice topped with fried chicken and chili sauce

Traditional Thai spicy and sour salad

With such a surreal atmosphere, like that in Thailand, you almost forget that you are still in Taiwan. One of the most attractive features of the restaurant is the red brick and cement wall with some Thai local street food images hanging on it, giving you a powerful feeling that you will get an excellent and authentic meal just as you would in Thailand. When the owner was young, he studied in Thailand. With a heart full of nostalgia, he decided to open Xian Luo in order to stick with Thai cuisine. Traveling back in time, he says he did not have much money back then, but with his heart and passion he began to successfully run this business, and now it has become one of the foremost recommendations in Hualien.

Set your

Sight Text & pictures by Terry

the

Night

Market

FOODIEN by Students of Tzu Chi University; Department of English Language and Literature

Fun Fact: Every New Year’s eve, the night market holds an annual concert to welcome the new year. As the clock strikes midnight, fireworks pop out sky high.

sides of a gray-black tile path. Most of the foods here are local dishes from Hualien and other counties of Taiwan. You may want to try some “stinky tofu”, which actually tastes better than its name. If you are a seafood lover, you will not deny the opportunity to find some which are fresh at the night market. If you are a meat lover, you have variety of choices from beef, chicken, or pork prepared with different cooking methods. These days (2016), In this Interestingly, you have a chance gigantic night market, the home to experience local tribe food. The aromas between ordinary of more than 400 food stands and souvenir stores, welcomes yet delicious local dishes and elegant tribal cuisine may more than a thousand visitors cause you to separate into two per day. The delicious smell of fried chicken lures you into the persons. market, and more fragrances are waiting for you inside. The rows of the stalls stand on both

Have you stopped by breakfast? Brunch? Lunch? Afternoon tea? Dinner? Well, welcome to the final stop of the day – the night market. Hualien Night Market is one of the most must-go attraction points since it has dozens of delicious foods for local people, travellers, or even foodies. You can enjoy more and more delicious food while spending less, isn’t it wonderful?

FOODIEN by Students of Tzu Chi University; Department of English Language and Literature

Sometimes, you may wonder why there are so many people gathering at one place. Apart from the aromatic smell, you may hear an ‘aromatic’ sound from some points in the market. Street performances as well as the sounds of musicians, magician shows, comedic plays, games, and tribal traditional performances, start to attract audiences of people while enjoying their yummy night meals. From the awesomeness of a young little girl playing drums all the way to an old man blowing a jazz, not only does the food catch your stomach, but even a sweet song or tune blows your mind away.

No. 50, Zhongshan Rd, Hualien City 花蓮市中山路 50號 Open Daily: 18:00 - 23:00 32 Background: designed by Jannoon028 / Freepik