the contents of a dish are not always in the name

I saw a t-shirt in a Japanese restaurant before I left on this trip last October that said, “I travel to eat” and thought, that’s me! But Taiwan had not met my expectations in the eating department. My best Taiwanese meal had been the cheapest when I visited a night market.

In Kenting Forest Recreation Area I ordered chicken and rice and then saw the woman open a frozen packet of pre-prepared food and heat it. I’d already paid, but at least the chicken was chicken.

“Fish” eggplant that was really pork eggplant and oyster side dish

In Taitung I ordered fish, and it arrived with ham on top! I know, Chinese love their pork, but what about the 50% of Buddhist in Taiwan? (and me)! 

By the time I reached Kenting, I thought I’d be fine because there were so many restaurants with displays of seafood. I entered one of those restaurants and ordered fish eggplant that sounded perfect. But when the dish arrived it was pork and eggplant with absolutely no fish. When I complained, I was told that that was the name of the dish!

The seafood display outside the “fish” eggplant restaurant, Kenting

Fortunately, or sadly (because I like to experience local cuisines), I gave up on Taiwanese food for a time because there was a Singaporean restaurant, Thai restaurants and when I was really desperate, even pizza. I didn’t know that in Anping, an area famous for its seafood, that there was still hope.

Featured photo — Another lucky break — Seafood noodles, Yehliu