By Madison Chen
Food is a product of its time, and it’s evident that “Taiwan flavor” brings comfort, diversity, and never-ending fusion.
Taiwan’s culinary diversity is a strength, yet it also brings difficulty in identifying and defining the authentic “Taiwan Way.” [1] However, the tradition of night markets in Taiwan runs deep and far. Dating as far back as AD 836[2], the minute the sun goes down, shop vendors- most of which are local families with generations-old recipes- pop up and line the streets with every kind of food imaginable. Taiwan is often recognized as a ‘food paradise’, seducing both foreign and domestic tourists[3] and night markets are one of the ways in which foreigners can understand the local culture and customs firsthand. They are a fascinating insight into the city- showing social customs woven into the nightlife yet also the fusion of cuisines. Food is a product of its time, and it’s evident that “Taiwan flavor” brings comfort, diversity, and never-ending fusion. Night markets allow for Taiwanese to strengthen their identities and they are a defining characteristic of the beauty of the country, rich in history and powerful in good eats.
My exhibit attempts to showcase how Taiwanese night markets are the number one defining characteristic of the country’s culture. [4] Coming from Taiwanese descent, I really wanted to research something close to my heart, trace back my roots, and understand better where my mom and those before me had come from. From my experiences visiting family in Taiwan, I grasped how visible of an impact night markets played into the country’s economy and its citizen’s lifestyles: they are ingrained into the culture and it was obvious the vibrance of Taiwanese life that came out during the night. I really wanted to explore just how much these night markets have contributed to making a culture that is known to be a “melting pot” of culinary flavors. Thus, I chose primary sources that specifically emphasized the meaningfulness night markets played in each unique individual’s own life and identified a shared sense of reminiscence, comfort, and charm that could be seen in all. For instance, in an interview with my mother, I captured how Taiwanese food is truly part of one’s identity-even those who step out of the country in pursuit of better opportunities. Someone can travel thousands of miles away and still feel close to home with the remembrance of their homeland’s street foods. When stepping foot into a Taiwanese night market, one can easily see the country’s devotion to gastronomy and tradition, such in which food is clearly the main variable that keeps the identity of Taiwanese citizens alive. Arguably, food is the most defining characteristic of Taiwanese culture, and tourists are drawn in specifically to eat.
References
[1] Magazine, CommonWealth. “A Guide to Taipei’s Michelin-Worthy Night Markets.” Medium. CommonWealth x Crossing, June 24, 2019. https://medium.com/commonwealth-magazine/a-guide-to-taipeis-michelin-worthy-night-markets-3fe423dbdc1f.
[2]“Savory Food Tours and Night Market Tours.” Taipei Eats, February 3, 2020. https://taipeieats.com/.
[3] PDF “The Rise of Culinary Tourism and Its Transformation of Cultures: The National Cuisine of Taiwan” by Hui Tun Chuang
[4] Ming-Ling Hsieh From CommonWealth Magazine (vol. 625 )2017-06-27, Ming-Ling Hsieh, and 625. “Let’s Eat, the Taiwan ‘Way’｜Culture｜2017-06-27｜Commonwealth Magazine.” CommonWealth Magazine. Accessed April 5, 2022. https://english.cw.com.tw/article/article.action?id=1625.
