ChiayiEat Recommendations

Liu Li-chang Turkey Rice is a time-honored Chiayi eatery with over half a century of history, beloved by locals and tourists for its distinctive shredded (or sliced) turkey rice paired with pickled mustard greens, crispy shallots, and a secret sauce. In 2025 it relocated to a spacious two-story site at No. 414 Guangcai Road, right next to the Cultural Road Night Market, with the village chief's wife still personally cooking. Hours are 07:30-14:30 and 16:00-19:00 (closed Mondays); lines are common but weekday afternoons are quieter. Mid-range prices cover turkey rice (shredded or sliced) plus a variety of side dishes - an absolute must-eat when visiting Chiayi.

Pin'an Tofu Pudding sits on Zhongzheng Road in Chiayi, close to Cultural Road Night Market and Lin Cong-ming Sandpot Fish Head - a must-eat traditional dessert stop for locals. The shop carries on six decades of Tainan master craftsmanship, using Canadian non-GMO soybeans with no gypsum or artificial flavors, yielding a silky, delicate texture. Options range from mixed tofu pudding and soy-milk tofu pudding to lemon shaved-ice tofu pudding and caramel shaved ice, plus oat soy milk and assorted shaved-ice treats. Prices are friendly, lines are long, and both takeout and dine-in are available; it's about a 15-minute walk from Chiayi Station, perfect for travelers to stop in.

Chiayi Charcoal Sausage (Xinwei-xiang Sausage Shop) is a six-decade local institution on Gonghe Road by the South Gate roundabout. The shop is known for charcoal-grilled sorghum sausages, charcoal-aroma sorghum sausages, emperor-bean pig intestines, and emperor-bean sticky-rice sausages, all served with heaps of garlic for a distinctive bite loved by locals and tourists alike. Crowds and waits are common. Prices are pocket change - this is budget street food - and hours are short, usually open for only about an hour, making it an essential traditional afternoon snack or late-night choice in Chiayi.

Keelung Temple Salt-and-Pepper Chicken is a popular snack stall in Chiayi's West District with over 15 years of history. The shop hand-makes a special batter (fresh bread whipped into it daily) that fries up golden, crispy salt-and-pepper chicken in a variety of flavors, with limited-edition creative twists like pumpkin salt-and-pepper chicken. Ingredients are prepped the same day for guaranteed freshness, drawing tourists and locals alike, with frequent lines. Located on Zhongzheng Road opposite Lin Cong-ming Sandpot Fish Head, the prices are friendly - about NT$200 buys a generous portion.

Shanyue Ramen at No. 349 Zhongzheng Road, Chiayi East District, is a beloved budget-friendly ramen shop. Adjacent to the original Lin Cong-ming Sandpot Fish Head, it offers multiple broths: rich tonkotsu, fragrant miso, and light chicken-clear soup, with chewy noodles and toppings like sesame-chilled vegetables, scallion-corn, and house seven-spice. Thanks to great flavor and friendly prices (meals around NT$140-255), dinner lines are common; the shop provides waiting chairs and a number-ballot system so guests needn't stand for long. Ideal for travelers and locals craving quick, delicious Japanese ramen.

Back-Station Seafood Snack Shop hides in the alleys by Exit 2 of Chiayi Station's rear entrance, a hidden-gem seafood joint locals love. The storefront is low-key with no fancy facade, but it cooks fresh catches to order daily - flavors are spot-on and prices honest, drawing groups that gather to eat, drink, and chat. Transportation is convenient: step out of the station and you're there, with parking available. Seats are limited and the place fills up, so reservations are recommended.