A Culinary Exploration: The Story of Taoyuan

 


USR Tamkang (University Social Responsibility) 

As part of the University Social Responsibility (USR) project, launched by the Ministry of Education (MOE), TKU faculty and students have worked together to care for the community, strengthen local cooperation, and assist in solving regional problems. Through such efforts, TKU continues to realize its educational vision.
(Source HERE) 

The FIRST Tamkang USR Culinary Explore which I was invited to and subsequently published an article "A gastronomic recounting of the Sino-French War at Tamsui" was a huge success which inspired several other Food-Tells-History programs in other parts of Taiwan since 2020.

Ten Course -Ten Taoyuan Story

My second Tamkang USR experience did not disappoint - it is a visual and culinary feast. Delightfully entertained and educated dining with established (and some country's best) historians in northern Taiwan, managers of iconic restaurants, owners and directors of national museums, award-winning documentary makers and producers and many others from cultural and media community.

Academia Sinica & Tamkang Univ

Academia Sinica & Tamkang Univ

Grand Hotel Taipei Managing Director

Our Table (friends and international scholars)


DISH ONE The Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea





DISH TWO Hakka Pickled Plum Chicken





DISH THREE Dragon in the Pond



DISH FOUR Blessed and Safe



DISH FIVE Extend in All Directions



DISH SIX Buddha's Light



DISH SEVEN House Warming Feast



DISH EIGHT Skyview of Ponds



DISH NINE Treasure Hunt in the Bamboo Forest




DISH TEN Peach Fest



My Verdict

Most Sophisticated - Dish 7 
Water apple (and jicama) pairing with prawn floss and mushroom is a surprise success.
Fruit is also a palate-cleansing dish traditionally served in the middle of a full-course Taiwanese banquet. 

Most Story - Dish 5
I like the storytelling weaving in people, migration and urban development . Colorful tangyuan representing cattle wagon is cute!

Most Stunning  - Dish 8
Visually stunning dish. Impressive design in ingredients layout and visual presentation.

Most Savoring - Dish 4 
Maqaw (Taiwanese mountain peppercorn) with its citrus fragrance brings a delightful twist to a traditional Shanghai sparerib dish. 

Preparation - Photo source Professor 李其霖















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