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Have you ever been to Zhushan? Located in the southwestern part of Nantou County, Zhushan Township is known for its ideal climate and soil conditions for bamboo, earning it the name “bamboo mountain.” In recent years, attractions like Zinan Temple and Xiaping Suspension Bridge have made Zhushan a popular destination for Nantou day trips. But what are the must-try foods in Zhushan? To help you enjoy the town’s culinary charm, here are 6 local food spots recommended by locals—you’ll want to jot these down for your next trip!

Top 6 Local Eats in Nantou’s Zhushan

Mazu Temple Glutinous Rice Cake

Located in front of the Mazu Temple on Zhushan Old Street, Mazu Temple Glutinous Rice Cake has reportedly been operating for over a century. Loved by locals, this spot offers nostalgic flavors through dishes like glutinous rice cake (mi gao), dry noodles, rice vermicelli, white noodles, meat stew noodles, and a variety of soups—all at budget-friendly prices. It’s not just a popular stop for tourists, but also a must-visit for locals returning home. Their mi gao features the rich aroma of peanuts and a soft, sticky texture, paired with pickled mustard greens and crispy shallots—fragrant and full of flavor.

• Address: No. 52, Zhushan Rd., Zhushan Township, Nantou County
• Phone: 04 9264 2697
• Hours: 05:00–12:00 (Closed Tue–Wed)

Centennial Temple Meatballs

Starting out as a humble street cart, Centennial Temple Meatballs remains a popular detour for visitors to Zinan Temple. The menu is simple, featuring meatballs, meatball soup, tofu soup, and mixed soup. The standout meatballs are made using red sweet potato starch from Zhushan, giving them a soft and chewy texture without being overly greasy. The filling includes Taiwanese pork and locally sourced bamboo shoots, seasoned with five-spice powder. The meatballs are fried at a low temperature and served with a signature sauce that makes them incredibly addictive.

• Address: No. 79, Zhushan Rd., Zhushan Township, Nantou County
• Phone: 04 9264 2881
• Hours: 10:00–14:00 (Closed Sun & Thu)

Zhushan Bridgehead Noodle Shop

A hidden gem known to locals, Zhushan Bridgehead Noodle Shop operates from a modest metal shack near a bridge—blink and you might miss it! The shop offers rice and noodle dishes, along with braised side dishes. Many come specifically for their braised pork rice, which features fatty pork over perfectly separated grains of rice, topped with pickled mustard greens and cilantro—so good you’ll keep digging in. Other popular items include yellow noodles, minced pork rice, stir-fried flat noodles, and pork blood soup. Spice lovers should definitely try the shop’s house-made chili sauce!

• Address: No. 1-6-1, Zhushan Rd., Zhushan Township, Nantou County
• Phone: 0939 892 588
• Hours: 06:00–14:00

ReadyGo Tip: Book your nearby stay now >>

Uncle Fu’s Golden Chicken

Uncle Fu’s Golden Chicken is a go-to restaurant for those visiting Zinan Temple, especially for large groups. The menu includes a variety of stir-fried dishes such as stir-fried intestines, spicy duck blood with intestines, sautéed sugarcane bamboo shoots, scallion beef, XO sauce noodles, and cold ferns. The star is the crispy golden chicken, which can be served pre-cut or whole for hand-tearing. With crispy skin and a light grilled aroma, the chicken is firm yet juicy—a deeply satisfying dish.

• Address: No. 1835, Sec. 1, Jishan Rd., Zhushan Township, Nantou County
• Phone: 04 9262 4767
• Hours: 10:00–19:00 (Closed Fri)

Zhushan Oyster Fritter Stall

Love fried snacks? Don’t miss Zhushan Oyster Fritters! They serve up deep-fried oyster fritters, scallion pancakes, sticky rice cakes, rice sausages, chive rolls, radish cakes, sweet potato chips, taro chips—and even fried cilantro! A must for cilantro lovers! Simple, tasty, and affordable, this spot is adored by locals. Best enjoyed hot and crispy, you can also add soy paste, sweet chili sauce, or garlic paste if dining in for extra flavor.

• Location: Next to Lingde Temple Chenghuang Miao, Zhushan Township, Nantou County
• Phone: 04 9263 1298
• Hours: 13:30–18:15

Zhushan Pan-Fried Dumplings

One more must-know local gem is Zhushan Pan-Fried Dumplings—a longstanding favorite offering pan-fried dumplings, egg crepes, and soy milk. Their dumplings are gigantic, with thin wrappers and juicy, flavorful fillings. The crispy, golden bottoms make them unforgettable. The egg crepes are also noteworthy, loaded with scallions and wrapped in a surprisingly tender and fluffy skin beneath the crunch. Don’t miss this one!

• Address: No. 106-4, Heng St., Zhushan Township, Nantou County
• Phone: 04 9265 8290
• Hours: 05:00–13:00 (Closed Wed)

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