Hidden Modern Taiwan History @Yang San-Lang Art Museum Yonghe
Last Sunday I went to Yang San-lang Art Museum (Yonghe) for a Junior high school reunion and was greeted by overwhelming surprises.
The event organizer bought each attender a copy of the recently published book "A Culinary History of Taipei" I co-authored. On arrival, I was shown packages and told they were my books! I couldn't believe it and was totally overwhelmed and immensely touched by his support and generosity. The museum is now run by Daniel Yang (Yang San-Lang's only son), it is a beautiful place most suited for private gatherings and gorgeous weather it was too! The afternoon was just LOVELY.
After the meal. Daniel came to greet us and arranged museum guide tour for those wished to join. I didn't, as I had already seen the museum some 4 years ago and am fairly equipped with background story of the Yang family and related Tamsui history.
Daniel saw the book I was holding and took an immediate interest in the title "Culinary history". I popped over the book and he started thumbing through pages with rare enthusiasm contrasted to local Taiwanese ( -Most reacted with an immediate rejection by its English content).
He raised his head after a couple of minutes and said "The first Buddha-Jumps-Over-the-Wall was served here in the backroom there." "WHAT??!!" "You know what Buddha-Jumps is?" "Of course I know! I researched it and even a special experience at Palais de Chine Hotel, Taiwanese bando maestro educating five-star-hotel chefs banquet!"
Can I see it, I asked? Thinking.... perhaps it was not for public display... I mean, why didn't anyone mention this significant piece of information to me ever, or seen, heard anywhere else about it?!
"Of course, I take you through"
With eagerness from both side, we entered a 'dining room', the kitchen I assumed through the white door at the back. The common layout of Japanese style houses. The room well-lit, not too big, very tidy, artifacts well looked after and behind glasses. But..... it was bare with information! No history, NOTHING was explained in any form. I don't benefit from seeing the room IF not for Daniel's live commentating. For what they were in that room - as good as pieces of furniture. I was stunned by the paleness of information in that room and the ignorance of modern Taiwan history.
WHY WAS I STUNNED?! (Because I saw Grand Hotel status and material)
Buddha-Jumps-Over-the-Wall can be singled out as one dish that see through modern Taiwan history. From its very important Fujian banquet role to Taiwan's. Food evovles - Buddha-Jumps evolvement saw the key ingredient Shark Fin banned first time in history by President Chen Shui-Bian at his inaugural. (Covered in our book Chapter 4 BANQUETS FIT FOR A PRESIDENT). Dietary, social, political and environmental development is told in one single dish.
This room catered high society gatherings in Daniel's grandfather and father's era - 楊仲佐（1875～1968) grandfather.
This porcelain pot was used to serve the first and subsequent Buddha-Jumps in that room for at least a decade. As Daniel pointed out - When haute cuisine arrived in Taiwan during Qing dynasty, no ordinary Taiwanese could have seen the dish, let alone to taste. It was only enjoyed by family like the Yang's. There are several pictures of a white door in display - which is the door in my picture. The pot, the door, the table, the room depicts a modern Taiwan history.
.
I pointed to a calligraphy list of guests of honour - BIG names, and it was for a 90th birthday banquet of 楊仲佐（1875～1968) in this house! The list includes these names:
Yu Youren https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yu_Youren (Ding-Tai-Fung restaurant calligrapher)
He_Yingqin https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/He_Yingqin
Kung_Te-cheng https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kung_Te-cheng （77th generation descendant of Confucius in the main line of descent)
Peng Meng-Ji http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2013/02/28/2003555886 (Peng Meng-Ji Kaohsiung butcher)
Bai_Chongxi https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bai_Chongxi
Note: There are two 'Yang, San-lang' - one an artist of the post.
The event organizer bought each attender a copy of the recently published book "A Culinary History of Taipei" I co-authored. On arrival, I was shown packages and told they were my books! I couldn't believe it and was totally overwhelmed and immensely touched by his support and generosity. The museum is now run by Daniel Yang (Yang San-Lang's only son), it is a beautiful place most suited for private gatherings and gorgeous weather it was too! The afternoon was just LOVELY.
 |
| Lovely set meals at reasonable price. The dessert not in photo is also lovely - Crème caramel. |
After the meal. Daniel came to greet us and arranged museum guide tour for those wished to join. I didn't, as I had already seen the museum some 4 years ago and am fairly equipped with background story of the Yang family and related Tamsui history.
Daniel saw the book I was holding and took an immediate interest in the title "Culinary history". I popped over the book and he started thumbing through pages with rare enthusiasm contrasted to local Taiwanese ( -Most reacted with an immediate rejection by its English content).
He raised his head after a couple of minutes and said "The first Buddha-Jumps-Over-the-Wall was served here in the backroom there." "WHAT??!!" "You know what Buddha-Jumps is?" "Of course I know! I researched it and even a special experience at Palais de Chine Hotel, Taiwanese bando maestro educating five-star-hotel chefs banquet!"
Can I see it, I asked? Thinking.... perhaps it was not for public display... I mean, why didn't anyone mention this significant piece of information to me ever, or seen, heard anywhere else about it?!
"Of course, I take you through"
With eagerness from both side, we entered a 'dining room', the kitchen I assumed through the white door at the back. The common layout of Japanese style houses. The room well-lit, not too big, very tidy, artifacts well looked after and behind glasses. But..... it was bare with information! No history, NOTHING was explained in any form. I don't benefit from seeing the room IF not for Daniel's live commentating. For what they were in that room - as good as pieces of furniture. I was stunned by the paleness of information in that room and the ignorance of modern Taiwan history.
 |
| These are precious! But none information or sources whatsoever. |
WHY WAS I STUNNED?! (Because I saw Grand Hotel status and material)
Buddha-Jumps-Over-the-Wall can be singled out as one dish that see through modern Taiwan history. From its very important Fujian banquet role to Taiwan's. Food evovles - Buddha-Jumps evolvement saw the key ingredient Shark Fin banned first time in history by President Chen Shui-Bian at his inaugural. (Covered in our book Chapter 4 BANQUETS FIT FOR A PRESIDENT). Dietary, social, political and environmental development is told in one single dish.
This room catered high society gatherings in Daniel's grandfather and father's era - 楊仲佐（1875～1968) grandfather.
This porcelain pot was used to serve the first and subsequent Buddha-Jumps in that room for at least a decade. As Daniel pointed out - When haute cuisine arrived in Taiwan during Qing dynasty, no ordinary Taiwanese could have seen the dish, let alone to taste. It was only enjoyed by family like the Yang's. There are several pictures of a white door in display - which is the door in my picture. The pot, the door, the table, the room depicts a modern Taiwan history.
I pointed to a calligraphy list of guests of honour - BIG names, and it was for a 90th birthday banquet of 楊仲佐（1875～1968) in this house! The list includes these names:
Yu Youren https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yu_Youren (Ding-Tai-Fung restaurant calligrapher)
He_Yingqin https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/He_Yingqin
 |
| 1945. Nanjing. Japanese surrender. Left |
Peng Meng-Ji http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2013/02/28/2003555886 (Peng Meng-Ji Kaohsiung butcher)
Bai_Chongxi https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bai_Chongxi
 |
| General Bai Muslim cemetry . Taipei. |
Note: There are two 'Yang, San-lang' - one an artist of the post.
The other is a musician. Most famous for "Wish you come home soon"
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