Jian Township in Hualien County is home to the “Three Treasures of Jian” — a trio of renowned local agricultural products, including taro and dragon beard vegetables. But how are these ingredients transformed into processed foods, and where can you taste them? That’s a big question.
Smooth and Lusciously Creamy｜Jian Taro Ice Cream
The Jian Township Farmers’ Association has revamped its production and sales center into a stylish, literary-inspired space named San Kai Amai, where visitors can indulge in over a dozen flavors of taro ice cream. For those with adventurous palates, they even offer cilantro ice cream and century egg ice cream!
Made using locally grown taro, this ice cream is exceptionally smooth and dense. What sets it apart is the use of natural mineral water, filtered through the rocky layers of the Central Mountain Range’s snowmelt. Combined with Jian’s soft and fluffy taro—rich in plant-based protein and mucopolysaccharides—this ice cream achieves a refined texture with minimal stabilizers, making it even creamier than traditional gelato. San Kai Amai also features exclusive flavors you won’t find in convenience stores. Plus, the more scoops you get, the more you save!
INFO｜ San Kai Amai
Address: No. 88, Sec. 2, Jian Rd., Jian Township, Hualien County
Telephone: 03-8536375
Business hours: 08:30-19:00（Closed on Tuesdays）
Lavatory: Yes
Pure, Natural, and Delicious｜Taifu Bento Shop
Many people don’t realize that dragon beard vegetables are the tender shoots of chayote vines. Packed with growth hormones, they’re considered highly nutritious—whether lightly blanched and dipped in sesame sauce or stir-fried, they’re incredibly delicious. Every township has its own specialty, and sourcing ingredients locally helps reduce carbon footprints. In Jian Township, arrow bamboo is a seasonal delicacy you won’t want to miss! This fiber-rich ingredient pairs well with Toban Djan (chili bean sauce) or peeled chili peppers in chicken soup, offering a crisp, aromatic bite that rivals the famed Shanghai dish Yanduxian (bamboo shoot soup).
Bathed in sunlight from the eastern mountains, Hualien's farmlands bring nature's best to Taipei. Eating a bento (lunch box) in Hualien is a true joy, and now Taifu Bento Shop, known for its use of Hualien's premium Fuli Rice and its focus on low-sodium, low-oil cooking, is bringing this beloved Hualien bento to Taipei. With the finest local rice and pesticide-free vegetables, Taifu Bento Shop is leading the way in the healthy bento trend, sharing the authentic taste and health of Hualien with Taipei.
INFO｜ Taifu Bento Shop
Address: No. 110, Sec. 1, Heping Rd., Jian Township, Hualien County
Telephone: 03-8463368
Business hours: 10:30-13:30、16:30-19:00（Closed on Sundays）
Lavatory: Yes