Legendary Western restaurant in Kaohsiung still popular after more than 50 years

2023-02-23

A legendary institution of Kaohsiung high society continues to be a popular location in the port city, even after more than 50 years in business. The Western-style restaurant was founded in 1964, based on the menu of the U.S. Seventh Fleet. Its menu of classic U.S. cuisine became synonymous with a fancy night out in Kaohsiung. Some viewers might remember it as the spot for a formal date night. Now, under the leadership of third generation of owners, the restaurant is still delighting loyal customers, and thriving post-COVID.

A beef steak more than 10 centimeters thick sizzles on the pan. When it’s browned, it goes into the oven to bake on a low heat, coming out sweet and juicy. Some customers have been coming here for decades just for the famous steak.

Member of public
It started when I was in middle school. You know, it’s rare for something to not change its flavor at all. I come here for this memory.

Member of public
It’s so peaceful here. I’ve also been coming here since middle school. Then as an adult I’ve also brought my own children to dine here.

The restaurant has been serving a menu of classic Western cuisine since it was founded in 1964. Once it was a glittering jewel in Kaohsiung’s social scene: the place to be for politicians, business people, and celebrities, as well as families toasting major celebrations and lovers enjoying a fairy-tale dinner date. Alongside the classic American burger menu, you can order starters with spectacular dry ice effects, luxurious seafood gratins, and even garlic escargots.

Chen Wan-hung
Third-generation Western restaurant owner
When the water droplet rolls over the top, then the temperature is definitely hot enough.

These plates made of galvanized iron are another tradition that makes the restaurant stand out from competitors. The plates and recipes are based on the kitchen of the U.S. Seventh Fleet from the 60s. The cooking techniques have been updated since then, but retain the same aesthetic of American cuisine.

Chen Wan-hung
Third-generation Western restaurant owner
Something we’re famous for is the iron plate fillet, because it uses these galvanized iron plates that were originally given us by the U.S. Navy. My father ran the restaurant for 36 years, and he realized that actually some of his ways of working didn’t conform to the demands of this era. So he asked me if I wanted to take over. If I didn’t, then perhaps our restaurant would have had to close. So it felt like a responsibility to me, because I grew up here at the restaurant.

Third-generation owner Chen Wan-hung started his management training by studying in the kitchen. He’s passionate about everything from ingredients to plating. And with the restaurant sticking to its ideals of classic luxury, it is going from strength to strength even after more than 50 years in business.

餐點復刻美軍料理手法西餐廳50年屹立不搖

2023-02-23

1951年越戰爆發，美國海軍第七艦隊進駐高雄三號碼頭，帶動周邊發展。在1964年創始的西餐廳，餐點復刻當年美軍的料理手法，一度是高雄的高級聚餐場所，許多政商名流到訪，也是當年最火紅的"相親"餐廳，帶您一起來看看。

超過十公分的厚切牛排，在鐵鍋中滋滋作響，表面上色後，送進烤箱低溫熟成，保留鮮甜肉汁，西餐廳的招牌菜，客人一吃就是幾十年。

[[民眾]]
“從國中開始，你知道味道，完全是沒有變的味道是很難得的，我來這裡吃的是回憶”

[[民眾]]
“這邊很安靜，我也是從國中吃到現在，長大之後，自己再帶孩子來這邊用餐

這間傳統西餐廳，創立於1964年，一度是高雄高級的聚餐場所，許多政商名流到訪，不管是家人聚餐、情侶約會，西餐廳都是回憶的一部分。店內除了經典的美式排餐，還有會噴乾冰的前菜，海鮮焗烤、甚至少見的蒜香田螺
，都是饕客的首選。

[[西餐廳第三代老闆陳萬泓]]
“水滴在上面滾的時候，就代表它溫度絕對夠”

店內使用的白鐵板，也跟其他美式餐廳不同，是效仿美國海軍第七艦隊，當時用的器具跟料理方式，雖然至今料理手法經過改良，仍保有當年傳統美式的口感。

[[西餐廳第三代老闆陳萬泓]]
“我們比較著名的是我們的鐵板菲力，因為它用的就是當初美軍帶給我們的這些白鐵板， (爸爸)他接手了36年，發現其實，他一些觀念可能沒有辦法符合這個時代的需求，他就問我說你要不要接，如果不接手的話，可能我們餐廳就要關起來了，所以我對我來講，這是一種責任感，因為我從小就在這家餐廳長大”
從父母手中接下重責大任的陳萬泓，雖然是第三代老闆，但他先從廚房開始學習，從食材到擺盤都下了功夫。也因為保有不變的美味跟精神，讓這間營業超過50年的老店，長存至今。

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2023-02-23

Alliances in full play at Legislative Yuan standing committee co-chair elections

The Legislative Yuan on Thursday held elections for the co-chairs of its standing committees, with plenty of alliances playing a role in the outcome. In the Social Welfare and Environmental Hygiene Committee, a Taiwan People’s Party lawmaker helped the DPP edge out the KMT to win both co-chair positions. The favor was returned in the Education and Culture Committee, where DPP votes helped a TPP lawmaker win the co-chair post. Meanwhile, a New Power Party lawmaker voted for a KMT co-chair in the Transportation Committee.

Just two weeks after giving birth, Taiwan People’s Party lawmaker Cynthia Wu headed to the Legislative Yuan. As a member of the Social Welfare and Environmental Hygiene Committee, her vote is crucial. The votes are counted and the results are in. The committee’s two co-chairs are both from the DPP.

Lin Wei-chou
KMT lawmaker
I’ll be upset for three days. From hope to despair.

KMT lawmaker Lin Wei-chou aired out his helplessness at the KMT’s defeat. Of the 15 seats in the committee, nine are taken by DPP lawmakers, and four by KMT lawmakers. The DPP was sure to get one of the co-chair positions with five of its votes, but votes for the other co-chair role would’ve been tied between the DPP and KMT, at four votes each. That would’ve triggered a lucky draw, but with Wu’s support, the seat went to the DPP.

Lin Wei-chou
KMT lawmaker
She had agreed to vote for me, but in the end she flip-flopped on me. She did it yesterday. She walked on over to cast a vote and voted for the DPP. Had she not come, we could’ve drawn lots. DPP caucus whip Ker and committee co-chair Chiu Tai-yuan all went to visit her at home, and that’s why she agreed to come and vote.

Chiu Tai-yuan
DPP lawmaker
I did not go to her house, absolutely not. Today was the first time I saw her since she had the baby.

The DPP and TPP were strategic with their votes. Over in the Education and Culture Committee, the DPP voted for the TPP’s Chang Chyi-lu張其祿 to trigger a tie with the KMT’s Wan Mei-ling. It was then all left to fate. And luck was on Chang’s side. The committee is now headed by the DPP and TPP, with Fan Yun and Chang as co-chairs.

Lin Wei-chou
KMT lawmaker
What a shame… The trust between the KMT and the TPP has withered to nothing.

Chiu Chen-yuan
TPP caucus whip
What we are hoping to do is to use the few key people we have to reach their maximum potential power.

Over in the Transportation Committee, the New Power Party’s Chen Jiau-hua voted for the KMT’s Chen Hsueh-sheng, helping the KMT win a co-chair position. In the rest of the committees it was all one co-chair each from the DPP and KMT. All in all, the DPP took nine co-chair slots, the KMT six, and the TPP one.

2023-02-23

President honors rescuers and dogs that took part in operations in Turkey

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Some foreign nationals eligible to receive NT$6,000 cash handouts

2023-02-23

DGBAS revises 2023 GDP forecast down to almost eight-year low of 2.12%

Despite post-COVID recovery, the global economy is struggling due in part to inflationary pressure. In view of the downturn, the Executive Yuan has revised Taiwan’s 2023 GDP growth forecast down to an almost eight-year low. Experts say the manufacturing sector will be hit hard, but other sectors such as tourism and retail are predicted to improve. Let’s hear more on this year’s economic forecast.

American computer memory producer Micron Technology is laying off employees worldwide, and Taiwan is no exception. Now, not just Micron, but leading footwear manufacturer Pou Chen Corporation is also reducing its workforce. Many companies have begun mass layoffs -- a bad omen for the economy.

Chu Tzer-min
DGBAS minister
Certainty of a global economic downturn has increased. Corporate capital expenditure in the short term is taking a more prudent direction. Coupled with last year’s base already being high, the forecast for this year’s private investment is a negative growth of 1.13%. The forecast for this year’s economic growth rate is 2.12%.

The Executive Yuan’s Directorate General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics has revised this year’s GDP forecast down to a near eight-year low. That’s amid weak demand for exports, which have been in constant decline. The electronics industry has been hit hardest, and many manufacturers and semiconductor companies are still clearing inventories. With persistent inflationary pressure, officials say going over the 2% inflation target set by the central bank has become the norm.

Chu Tzer-min
DGBAS minister
Last year, inflation was 2.9% or so, close to 3%. In this year’s forecast we’re near 2.16%, so there’s a downward trend, but we still have the pressure of rising prices.

Although post-pandemic recovery and strong domestic demand have maintained momentum for growth, these factors cannot alter the reality of an overall economic recession.

Wang Chien-chuan
Chung-hwa Institution for Economic Research
Times are changing. In the past, the manufacturing industry was good, but now it has too much inventory. That’s because before, purchases were high. They had to prepare materials and spare parts. So it will be revised downward this year, and that will lengthen its recovery time. But now, since countries are opening up, the hospitality, food and beverage, tourism, and retail sectors will all improve. That’s another piece of better news.

With the economy upended, even experts are finding it hard to make predictions. Factors causing fluctuation are numerous, inflation may not fall, and interest rates may continue to rise. It could be a while before we see the return of a healthy economy.

2023-02-23

Hoteliers on east coast dismayed at low bookings for upcoming long weekend

2023-02-23

Eatery combines the best breakfast menu items from Hong Kong and Taiwan

Today we meet a couple from Hong Kong who have made Taiwan their home. Their breakfast eatery combines the very best breakfast menu items from both Hong Kong and Taiwan! But the couple were not always cooks. They switched to the restaurant industry from media careers. We hear about how – and why – they made the leap to start their own business so far from home.

A piece of bread is toasted golden and spread with Hong Kong-style scrambled eggs for a delicious texture. Then a layer of satay beef goes on top and the sandwich is complete. Cut in half, all the layers shine at once.

This classic Hong Kong pork bun is spread with peanut butter and then given a generous drizzling of condensed milk. This breakfast joint, reminiscent of traditional Hong Kong diners, was founded by a 31-year-old Tang Yuen-ching and her husband.

Tang Yuen-ching
Breakfast diner owner
My relatives run a restaurant in Hong Kong, so I guess I’ve always dreamed about the industry or opening a restaurant. After I came to Taiwan, I really liked Taiwanese breakfast. I wanted to have a place of my own style, or with things we liked, where everyone could come.

She only tried milky cream spread for the first time in Taiwan. But it was love at first bite. The couple then started making their own, in original and sesame flavors, and selling them online, later adding chocolate to the range. Customers at the eatery love the spreads on toast. But neither of the pair were trained in restaurant skills.

Sheng-fu
Breakfast diner owner
At the age of 28, I was working in the advertising industry, and I realized that I didn’t care that much about it. So I was pondering what sorts of things or jobs I felt passionate about. I didn’t have any restaurant experience. So first I wanted to find out whether I was suited to the restaurant industry, so last year I started a part-time job in a restaurant, to learn about it.

Tang Yuen-ching
Breakfast diner owner
After we started the restaurant, lots of neighbors would chat with us or be very friendly and warm. So I think that’s something great about Taiwan, how warm and friendly the people are. So we really liked Taiwan and chose to stay here.

The couple were won over by Taiwan’s legendary friendliness. Now their food is warming the hearts of the neighbors in return.

2023-02-23

Traditional Taiwan temple performers wow France in rare international tour

Traditional Taiwanese temple performers wowed audiences in France, on a rare international tour this February. The custom of Ba Jia Jiang performers is one of the proudest religious traditions in Taiwan. The Ba Jia Jiang represent heavenly generals. Their fierce dances and costumes are iconic. But due to the strict etiquette of the tradition, they very rarely perform overseas. This year, they were invited to the prestigious Carnaval de Nice in France. And after a major fundraising project, they were off to the airport.

This February, the Ba Jia Jiang company of Diyudian Ji-sheng-tang wowed carnival-goers on the streets of Nice, with full-body costumes, magical instruments, and ceremonial flourish.

The company was invited to perform Taiwan’s unique religious tradition at the Carnaval de Nice. French audience members were enthralled.

This is the company’s normal practice space: a tiny temple hall. When the Ba Jia Jiang travel, there are usually many taboos. They must gain permission to travel from their boss, the god Lifu Dashen. But many other taboos are hard to obey while overseas. They had to explain those issues to the god to get individual exemptions. And the company took a small painting of the god to France, symbolizing his company on the trip.

Chen Yi-yuan
Diyudian performer
The god is normally very strict in his demands; the rules must be followed to the letter. It seemed like it would be quite difficult to do that abroad, so he didn’t require us to be strictly vegan. But he did require those of us who wear the generals’ dress to maintain the standards of manners and behavior that we ought to.

Wang Kun-tsan
Diyudian chair of the board
It represents the will of the god, and the importance of art. We manage the Ba Jia Jiang extremely strictly.

The company received the invitation in late December. They considered saying no because of the prohibitive costs of time and money. But eventually, the company members decided to finance the trip from their own pockets. Temple officials were touched when many temple adherents contributed time and money to the fundraising effort. Taiwanese residents of France also supported the project, even bringing the tradition of “Sending a Towel” to France.

Shen Chien-chien
Diyudian French team member
The temple members created this towel. They told us that going to France is tough and they specially made us a French towel, with French writing on it. It’s very interesting and cute. It’s brought Taiwanese culture, Taiwanese spirit, and even the Taiwanese national flag to the French people.

The group of 11 company members – almost all in their early 20s – spent 17 days in southern France, visiting Lyon, Rouen, and Nice. Over more than 10 performances, they brought the unique spirit of Taiwan to Europe in unforgettable style.

2023-02-23

Taiwanese sports stars and legislators register for upcoming international marathon in Palau

2023-02-23