Yuanxing Yuxiang House

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.

Songzhu Creative Japanese Cuisine in Chiayi's West District blends Japanese techniques with Western plating. The shop offers omakase-style set meals priced around NT$668-698, featuring 8 to 9 refined courses - less than NT$90 per dish. The decor is Japanese Zen with an upscale VIP feel, suited to dates, business hosting, and family dinners. Ingredients focus on fresh seafood and meats, using whole cuts, and the chefs present diverse flavors with true craftsmanship. Paid parking is available for guests' convenience.

Deep-Mountain Free-Range Chicken House in Chiayi's West District is a Chinese restaurant specializing in free-range chicken shared dishes. The signature San-xian Stove (Three Immortals Pot) combines frog, eel, and soft-shell turtle in a sweet, herbal broth with no gamey taste, alongside tender shredded chicken rich with shallot aroma. The space is spacious, with a variety of shared-dish combos; the NT$3,000 set can be customized to preferences, and the owner often warmly offers chilled steeped tea, making it great for family dinners and group meals.

Robin's Nest Fresh Fruit Tea is a hidden gem Chiayi locals rave about, founded in 1997 with two branches in the city. The Guohua branch by Cultural Road Night Market is open 09:30-20:00 (closed Sundays); the Minzu branch near 228 Memorial Park is open 10:00-20:00 (closed Mondays). The house specialty is hand-cut grapefruit green tea - drinks come in large sizes with friendly prices and shorter lines than elsewhere, loved by locals and visitors alike. Beyond the signature grapefruit green tea, options like roselle lemon and assorted green teas make it a quick recharge stop for travelers in Chiayi.

Chunqing Specialty Shop is a literary-retro egg-waffle stand in Chiayi's East District, renowned for made-to-order handmade sweets. The shop pairs a small wooden cart with a vintage old house, offering sweet and savory egg waffles made from fresh eggs, flour, and pure milk - no premix and reduced sugar, staying true to the 'only the pure' concept. Prices are friendly at around NT$20-40 apiece, and popularity often means lines or advance phone orders. Both the interior and exterior are Instagram check-in favorites - a perfect afternoon snack or quick sweet treat while traveling.

Huale Diner next to Xingzhong Market in Chiayi is a restaurant famous for affordable Japanese cuisine. The menu highlights decorative-window sushi, assorted rice bowls, and fresh sashimi, paired with rich miso soup and Japanese drinks. Space is small with limited seats, so lines or advance bento-box reservations are common - great for travelers and locals who want a quick, high-CP Japanese meal.

A-po Grilled Corn is a traditional charcoal-grilled corn stand in Chiayi's East District with half a century of history, famed for thick sauces and charcoal aroma. Customers first take a number, then pick a corn and pay by weight at the assigned time, then return for the grilled corn. Queues are common, especially lively on holidays. Each ear runs about NT$50-90, sweet with a slightly crisp char - a must-try local snack when strolling through downtown Chiayi.

A-fu Crispy Net Pork Rolls is a long-established Chiayi East Market snack with nearly 40 years of history. The shop is famous for oversized hand-wrapped pork rolls sheathed in pork caul fat, with rich fillings and generous portions that stay crisp even after deep-frying to golden brown. Each person is limited to two rolls, so waits are common - a must-visit for locals and tourists alike as breakfast or late-night option, also available via home delivery.

A-de-shi Turkey Rice sits tucked in the alleys of Chiayi's West District, a budget snack shop locals frequent. The storefront hides on the first floor of the owner's townhouse, offering turkey rice, freshly stir-fried seasonal vegetables, fried pork chops, and house-made meat rolls in a self-serve side-dish style. A single turkey rice is about NT$40, very friendly. Seats are few and parking can be tricky, but the warm owner and down-to-earth vibe make it feel personal. Located near Chiayi Far Eastern Department Store, it's a great stop to sample the turkey rice locals cherish most.

A-pan Meat Buns, founded in 1965, has passed through three generations over sixty-plus years and is a venerable bun-and-steamed-bread shop in Chiayi's West District. The shop focuses on hand-made fresh meat buns, plus shiitake-egg-yolk meat buns, spicy fresh meat buns, curry pastries, egg-yolk pastries, and almond tea - available ready-to-eat, frozen, and in gift boxes, loved by locals and tourists. The Cultural Road Zhongzheng branch near North Xianghu Park is transit-convenient, popular enough to draw lines, and one of Chiayi's must-buy souvenirs.

Ba-wei Ginger Duck is a famous Taiwan ginger-duck chain that uses charcoal-heated clay pots to simmer a rich aged-ginger broth with tender duck, beloved by diners in cold seasons. The shop uses red-faced muscovy ducks raised over 120 days, paired with house sesame oil and ginger slices, yielding a warming-not-burning broth with a gently spicy-sweet finish. Each pot runs about NT$300 and includes 6-7 bone-in duck pieces - ideal for two, with side dishes and vermicelli chosen separately. Hours are typically 16:00-01:00, often with lines or number-ticket seating. Branches throughout Chiayi, Wanhua, Sanchong, Taichung, and beyond make it a top winter tonic choice.

Tian-yuan Western Restaurant on the second floor of the Chiayi Fullon Voco Hotel is known for semi-buffet all-you-can-eat dining. The restaurant offers diverse Western main courses plus a self-serve area with Chiayi specialty snacks, indigenous tribal dishes, seafood, and grilled items. The modern stylish setting features soft lighting and spacious seating, suited for couples, family gatherings, and business hosting. A dessert bar, beverage bar, and ice cream station round out the experience. Service covers breakfast, lunch (holidays only), and dinner to suit different times.

Ba-gong Yakiniku at No. 233 Chuiyang Road, Chiayi East District, offers all-you-can-eat fire-grill-and-pot combo, blending Japanese yakiniku with hotpot across beef, pork, chicken, and seafood, all in a medieval-knights-and-dragon theme with fantasy decor and murals. The menu features large beef slices, with complimentary steak for birthday celebrants. Per-head runs about NT$600 plus a 10% service charge - friendly prices that suit family gatherings and friend meetups. Unlimited refills let diners indulge in every kind of meat, making for an adventurous and delicious dining experience.