Most of my family lives in the U.S. with the exception of my mom’s cousin, who lives in Taichung, about an hour train ride from Taipei city. We planned to meet my uncle and his family at the Taichung train station where they would pick us up and take us around their favorite parts of Taichung. My uncle planned a visit that included ALOT of eating and exploring.
First things first. Lunch. Fried “Ba wan” aka the Taiwanese meatball, a delicacy native to Taiwan. Generally, it’s a thick gummy dough stuffed with meat that is steamed to perfection and doused with a generous helping of red sweet chili sauce. I have had this snack so many times in both the U.S. and in Taipei city, and I absolutely love it. But I have never had it FRIED! And oh boy, is it better fried! Also, this ba wan is not only filled with pork, but with scallops and veggies. All I can say is AMAZING!
With a happy and full belly, we ventured over to one of Taiwan’s oldest towns, Lukang, a once populous city with a port bustling with immigrants and trading junks. Many of the buildings on the old streets date back to the Qing dynasty. What was once people’s homes, are now toy shops and souvenir stores, all leading to the gorgeous Longshan Temple.
After visiting the temple, we nibbled our way back down the old town streets before heading back on the train to Taipei. It was so fun to meet new family members and enjoy a day outside of Taipei city!
