Despite changing seasons, the delightful offerings from Hualien are endless. Following last year’s list of winners, the 2nd Hundred Great Souvenirs of Hualien County continues to recommend gifts, allowing travelers to bring home thoughtful presents that will ensure a smooth and fulfilling year ahead.
The Ultimate Snack That’s Both Savory and Spicy｜Aunt Hsiu-Ling’s Spicy Braised Dried Tofu from Hualien Dawn Shelter Factory
Hualien Dawn Shelter Factory is famous for its "Aunt Hsiu-Ling’s Spicy Braised Dried Tofu," a beloved local snack that won recognition in the 2024 Hualien County Government’s second annual "Hundred Great Souvenirs of Hualien County." Crafted by sheltered workers under the guidance of social workers and staff, each piece of tofu is hand-cut, meticulously seasoned with a soul-warming sauce, and slow-cooked for over three hours. The result is a deeply flavorful snack, with just the right hint of spice that enhances the tofu’s subtle soybean aroma. It’s a perfect treat or side dish for any meal.
The braised dried tofu is crafted under the guidance of the cheerful and lively technical instructor, Aunt Hsiu-Ling. The name “Aunt Hsiu-Ling’s Spicy Braised Dried Tofu” comes from her signature touch, and the product is a perfect balance of color, aroma, and flavor. With a slightly chewy exterior and a tender, smooth interior, it has become a local favorite. Now available for delivery to other regions, each purchase is not just a delicious snack but also a meaningful way to support the sheltered workers on their path to independence.
INFO｜ Hualien Limin Shelter Factory
Address: No.38, Fuan Rd., Hualien City
Telephone: 03-846-0527
Business hours: 08:00-17:00（Monday to Friday）
Lavatory: Yes
Let the Fragrance of Ruisui Pomelo Continue to Blossom｜Smallsteps Green’s Fangsis Ruisui Pomelo Scented Gift Box
Hualien is home to 25% of Taiwan’s pomelo production. However, after the fall festival, thousands of tons of pomelos often go unsold, resulting in waste, loss for farmers, and environmental burdens. The Smallsteps Green team, leveraging years of online influence and fragrance production experience, has crafted the "Fangsis Ruisui Pomelo Scented Gift Box" using pomelo essential oils. It includes essential oils, scented candles, and handmade soaps, offering a new way to add value to local agricultural products.
Fangsis, derived from the Amis language, means “the fragrance of a flower.” It symbolizes the journey from the land, awakening memories of nature and culture through scent. Every crop carries the imprint of the land, and through industry upgrades, unsold produce is transformed into high-value products. By combining tourism and cultural heritage, Fangsis helps more people discover the beauty of Hualien. Change doesn’t come from one great action but from the countless small efforts of many people. Smallsteps Green uses the Ruisui pomelo as a medium to help more people experience the natural beauty of Hualien. Through its fragrances, the delightful scent of Ruisui pomelo continues to bloom, bringing the essence of the land to life.
INFO｜ Smallsteps Green
Telephone: 0972-072044
※There is no physical store; please order through the official website.
Active Use of Hualien’s Local Specialty - Tropical Pineapple｜Funnycake.Hualien Pineapple Mochi
Carefully selected ingredients from the local countryside, bringing back the flavors of the past. While most people heavily rely on food machinery and synthetic spices, the bakers of "Funnycake.Hualien" are dedicated to preserving the old, authentic taste of local tropical pineapples. Ruisui Township’s Fuxing Village, located on the Tropic of Cancer, is one of Taiwan's top producers of tropical pineapples. Funnycake.Hualien aims to enhance Taiwan's premium agricultural products and create high-fiber, healthy foods as its core business value. Using Hualien’s unique Tainung No. 2 Tropical Pineapples and Tainung No. 17 Golden Diamond Pineapples as the primary filling, despite the high acidity and noticeable fiber of the tropical pineapples, its distinctive fragrance and the sweet-and-sour taste from the combination of pineapple enzymes and natural sweetness offer an irreplaceable flavor that feels like a gift from nature.
Pineapple Mochi combines the refreshing taste of pineapple with the soft and chewy texture of mochi. Whether for a casual afternoon tea or sharing with friends and family, it’s a great choice for gifting or personal indulgence, offering a delightful taste experience with the fresh fruit flavor.
INFO｜ Funnycake.Hualien
Address: No. 169, Zhongshan Rd., Hualien City
Telephone: 03-8336255
Business hours: 09:00-21:30
Lavatory: No
The Green Gold Industry Reshaping Yuli’s “Sacha Inchi Impression”｜Pushgoo’s Valley Chief Sacha Inchi Oil Set
Since the “bad oil” crisis, Taiwanese consumers have become more mindful of the quality of cooking oils. Kun-Ping Lin, a young farmer from Yuli Township, planted the new crop Sacha Inchi, native to the Peruvian rainforest, on his father’s inherited hillside land. Sacha Inchi is a high-nutrient oilseed crop. In 2019, he established Taiwan’s first agricultural production and marketing group named after Sacha Inchi, and later launched "Pushgoo" to handle branding and sales, implementing a comprehensive strategy of production, processing, and marketing, truly realizing a six-level(all-round) industry strategy for production and sales.
Pushgoo collaborates with the Yuli Township Sacha Inchi Agricultural Production and Marketing Group, not only using locally grown, fresh Sacha Inchi from Yuli but also marking the first-ever use of AIoT smart agriculture technology to cultivate Sacha Inchi in Taiwan. From planting to harvest, the entire process is closely monitored to ensure stable quality. The Sacha Inchi grown in Yuli Township is cultivated using non-toxic, pesticide-free farming practices. Every Sacha Inchi seed is manually harvested and screened. Sacha Inchi Oil is ideal for cold dishes or direct consumption to preserve its rich nutritional value, avoiding high temperatures that could degrade its benefits. Pushgoo’s Sacha Inchi Oil has not only earned recognition as one of the Hundred Great Souvenirs of Hualien County but also won the highest A.A. Taste Award in the Netherlands for its exceptional quality and flavor, proving that high-quality oil can be both delicious and healthy.
INFO｜ Pushgoo
Address: No. 3, Sec. 1, Renai Rd., Yuli Township, Hualien County
Telephone: 03-8886677
Business hours: 09:00-18:00（Monday to Saturday）
Lavatory: Yes