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Miaoli, known for its unique Hakka culture and natural landscapes, has been increasingly popular among travelers in recent years due to its family-friendly attractions. In addition to traditional Hakka cuisine, a growing number of new restaurants have emerged in Miaoli, offering a variety of culinary experiences for visitors to explore. If you’re planning a holiday trip, consider visiting Miaoli City. You can enjoy local delicacies and experience the Miaoli Fire Dragon Festival, which, like the Yanshui Beehive Fireworks, is a great way to pray for safety and good fortune while savoring Miaoli’s diverse food offerings.

Miaoli City Local Event | Fire Dragon Festival

The Miaoli Fire Dragon Festival, or “Fire Dragon,” originated from the traditional dragon-welcoming celebrations in the Miaoli region. It is a lively and thrilling Lantern Festival event that has evolved from dragon dances into a ritual known as “Welcoming the Dragon.” The festival aims to invite the divine dragon to bring good fortune, peace, and abundant harvests to the community.

During the Fire Dragon Festival, firecrackers and fireworks are used to “bomb” the dragon, with the intention of driving away evil and welcoming the new year. While dragon dances are a common folk tradition across Taiwan, Miaoli’s Hakka community is unique in its custom of using explosive fireworks to enhance the event. The more intense the fireworks, the more prosperous the festival is believed to be. The firecrackers are set off to honor the dragon and drive away malevolent spirits, inviting blessings for the year ahead.

This year’s Fire Dragon Festival will take place on February 24, the fifteenth day of the lunar new year, at Riverside Park. In addition to the dragon teams performing under a barrage of firecrackers, there will be a cultural performance titled “Dragon King Meeting” and an upgraded version of the fire dragon dance, promising a unique and visually stunning experience for attendees.

Miaoli City Fire Dragon Festival Series

Event Location: Riverside Park, Jingguo Road, Miaoli City
Event Dates: February 17 – February 26
Related Link: Miaoli Fire Dragon Facebook Page

Miaoli Food | Recommended Restaurants in Miaoli City

貢鍋共鍋麻辣火鍋店 gong__hotpot

Located near Miaoli Train Station, Gong Guo Spicy Hot Pot is a Hakka-owned restaurant that offers an authentic Hakka-style spicy hot pot experience. The restaurant has been thoughtfully transformed from a Japanese colonial-era timber office, incorporating various Hakka elements to create a unique retro ambiance.

The hot pot features traditional Hakka ingredients and a specially developed broth. The restaurant takes great care in selecting its ingredients, including large handmade crystal dumplings from a well-known old shop and hand-made egg dumplings. Be sure to order the beef slices, garlic oil rice, and a portion of “Grandma’s Vegetable Basket,” served in a traditional eggplant bag, to truly savor the nostalgic flavor of the past.

Address: No. 8, Lane 61, Jianzhong Street, Miaoli City, Miaoli County
Phone: 037-276-727
Business Hours:

Weekdays: 5:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Weekends: 11:30 AM – 11:00 PM
Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays
Related Link: Gong Guo Spicy Hot Pot

江技舊記 Jiang Ji Old Store

Established in 1949 and passed down through three generations, Jiang Ji Old Store is a renowned eatery in Miaoli City, known for its exceptional wontons. The wontons are generously sized with fresh, well-seasoned meat filling and just the right ratio of fat to lean meat. The wrapper is perfectly thin and thick, and adding the restaurant’s special chili sauce enhances the flavor even more.

Their signature dishes, including meatballs and crystal dumplings, are a must-try. The meatballs feature a chewy, elastic skin and a well-balanced filling with plenty of crunchy bamboo shoots to offset the richness. The crystal dumplings are packed with a peppery filling that’s flavorful on its own. Highly recommended! If you can’t get enough, you can also purchase fresh, uncooked versions to take home.

Address: No. 88, Xinmiao Street, Xinmiao Village, Miaoli City
Phone: 037-327-803
Business Hours: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Related Link: Jiang Ji Old Store

一口香餡餅 Yikouxiang Savory Pastries

A must-try afternoon snack beloved by locals in Miaoli is Yikouxiang Savory Pastries, a shop that has been delighting customers for over 30 years. Located within a five-minute walk from Miaoli Train Station, it’s so popular that people start lining up even before opening time.

These pastries are made to order with generous fillings, and each one is pan-fried to a beautiful golden brown. When you bite into them, you’ll experience a crispy, thin crust with juicy, flavorful fillings. The menu features options like scallion beef, scallion pork, onion beef, onion pork, shredded radish, green bean paste pastries, and millet porridge. With its affordable prices, it offers great value and satisfaction.

Address: No. 49-4, Zhongshan Road, Miaoli City
Phone: 037-271-421
Business Hours: 2:00 PM – 6:30 PM
Related Link: Yikouxiang Savory Pastries

猫狸村 Miaoli Village

Miaoli Village, a restaurant transformed from an old house, offers a unique blend of exotic and Italian cuisine with Hakka flavors. Not only does it feature beautiful lighting and a pleasant atmosphere, but it also skillfully utilizes the old house’s space to create an elegant and understated charm.

The menu includes a variety of appetizers, salads, soups, and main dishes such as pasta, risotto, and steak. Additionally, there are drinks and a selection of craft beers. Highly recommended dishes include the Hakka-style fried cuttlefish with orange sauce, coconut red curry chicken pasta, and sakura green gem seafood risotto. These dishes are not only delicious but also beautifully presented. Before you leave, be sure to pick up a famous Miaoli delicacy, the Cat Village Stick, as a souvenir.

Address: No. 43, Fuxian Road, Miaoli City, Miaoli County
Phone: 037-370-789
Business Hours: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Related Link: Cat Village Miaoli

傳家堡餐館 Chuanjiabao Restaurant

Chuanjiabao Restaurant, nestled in an alley in Miaoli City, offers a charming atmosphere with traditional Hakka decor and a nostalgic, old-fashioned ambiance. Although its exterior is understated, it is recognized by the county government for its authentic Hakka cuisine.

Signature dishes you must try include:

• Plum Sauce Fish Fillet: Coated with a special perilla plum sauce, these fillets are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, delivering a refreshing and sweet-sour flavor.
• Braised Pork Knuckle with Dried Bamboo Shoots: Braised in a unique sauce until it attains a glossy caramel color, this dish features tender pork with a chewy skin.
• Chuanjiabao Braised Pork Rice: Made with chunks of pork hind leg, this dish is aromatic, slightly sweet, and not greasy.

Despite its limited menu, the quality and portion sizes make it a great choice for family gatherings and meals with friends.

Address: No. 18-1, Lane 89, Chang’an Street, Miaoli City
Phone: 037-268-788
Business Hours: 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM / 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM

好食好時台式居酒屋 Good Food Good Times 

Good Taste Good Time Taiwanese Izakaya, located near Miaoli Train Station, features a charming retro wooden decor. This popular and affordable skewer restaurant in Miaoli City offers a wide range of dishes, including skewers, fried foods, rice dishes, and soups. The ingredients are fresh, and the portion sizes are generous, providing excellent value for money. Its late-night hours make it a popular choice for gatherings and late-night snacks.

When you visit, be sure to try their signature pork fat rice. The rice is mixed with pork fat, topped with crispy shallots, and accompanied by a raw egg yolk. Mixing these ingredients together creates an irresistible flavor that perfectly complements the delicious barbecue.

Address: No. 673, Zhongzheng Road, Miaoli City, Miaoli County
Phone: 037-371-598
Business Hours: 4:00 PM – 2:00 AM

Related Link: Good Taste Good Time

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