Stall keeps traditions alive with classic desserts like starch jelly

Stall keeps traditions alive with classic desserts like starch jelly

2026-06-04

There are endless options for desserts these days, but sometimes, you just can’t beat the classics. Back when resources were scarce, satisfying a kid’s sweet tooth took some creativity. In New Taipei there’s a shop that sells traditional starch jelly ice just like what the owner enjoyed as a kid. The starch is stirred in cold, and then hot water until it forms a clear, slippery jelly. One taste and it’ll take you straight back to childhood.

Traditional starch jelly is slippery and pleasantly chewy. When eaten with brown sugar, it coats your mouth in a delightful sweetness.

First, add cold water to the starch and stir until dissolves.

Adding hot water gradually turns the white starch clear.

Using a chopstick, the owner cuts the jelly into pieces.

Add some homemade brown sugar syrup and mix in a little ice to bring the temperature down, and it’s ready to serve.

Pan Wen-hsien
Owner
My mother used to make this for me when I was very young. People used to eat it when they were overheating. It can bring your body temperature down. It’s a very nostalgic flavor.

But that’s not all. When you hear this familiar whistling sound, you know it’s time for roasted flour tea.

The roasted flour tea, or mian cha, is slowly cooked over a low flame, then served with a peng bing bun cake, like a sweet version of a puff pastry soup.

Pan Wen-hsien
Owner
I spent over a decade going around to different markets with my wife. Getting my own stall back home was more stable. We didn’t have to move around anymore.

To give his wife more stability as they entered their 40s, Pan decided to come back home and take over an old dessert stall.

Pan Wen-hsien
Owner
Many people know about these classic things. It’s just the younger people these days who have never had it.

By selling the flavors of his childhood, Pan hopes to make sure that these classic tastes don’t disappear.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

#classic #traditional #shavedice #starchjelly #tapioca #jelly #dessert #miancha #NewTaipei #restaurant

你吃過嗎? 古早味"太白粉冰"口感Q彈滿口黑糖香

2026-06-04

現代美食，豐富又多樣化，甜品更是百百款。但早年物資匱乏，要如何滿足小孩貪吃的嘴，靠的是大人的巧思。新北市有小店，老闆把自己兒時的”太白粉冰"端上桌，太白粉經過冷水、熱水洗禮，外型變得像粉粿，吃起來滑口又有彈性，吃到嘴裡滿滿的回憶。

古早味的太白粉冰，吃來滑口，QQ充滿彈性，和黑糖一起入口，滿嘴甜蜜。

太白粉加入冷水，快速攪拌均勻。

沖入熱水，白色的太白粉漸漸變透明。

老闆拿起竹筷，切成一塊塊。

加入自己熬的黑糖、冰塊來回攪拌，讓太白粉慢慢降溫，就能上桌。

[[業者潘文賢]]
“很早我媽媽就會作給我們吃，很小時候，以前人中暑都會吃這個，這個比較降火氣，就很懷念的味道”

除了太白粉冰，聽到這熟悉的汽笛聲，就知道麵茶來了。

老闆小火慢炒的麵茶，加了椪餅，吃來就像甜的酥皮濃湯。

[[業者潘文賢]]
“那時候跟老婆一起跑市場，跑了十幾年，回家接攤子，就比較穩定不用到處跑”

原本四處跑市場的老闆，為了讓太太過上穩定生活，40多歲時，決定回家接起老攤子。

[[業者潘文賢]]
“其實這種東西，古早的東西很多人都知道，只是年輕人這一輩子，年輕人他們不知道，沒吃過這樣”

把兒時滋味端上桌，就是希望老味道，能繼續飄香。

更多新聞內容，請鎖定：
民視台灣台（152頻道）週一至週五晚上9:30
民視新聞台（53頻道）週二至週六凌晨1:00

Related News

Outgoing AIT Kaohsiung director shares family’s night market favorites

Neil Gibson, head of the American Institute in Taiwan’s Kaohsiung branch, has reached the end of his three-year tenure. Before leaving for his next post in Tokyo, Gibson invited FTV to tag along as he visits his favorite place in town: Ruifeng Night Market. In an unexpected twist, it turns out that his family’s favorite night market food is none other than stinky tofu!

- Hello everyone, I’m thrilled to have the chance to show you what I consider to be the best night market in all of Taiwan: Ruifeng Night Market.

We followed Neil, outgoing chief of the AIT’s Kaohsiung branch, to his favorite stomping ground during his three-year posting.

The first stop is for a cup of taro sago. The fresh taro blended into a velvety puree is certainly a Taiwanese classic. In a blink, he’s already finished most of it.

Neil Gibson
Outgoing AIT Kaohsiung head
I forget who first told me about it, but my son and I both love it. I’m almost finished!

Continuing on, Neil next stops for some diced steak.

Big chunks of beef sizzle on the griddle before they’re seared to perfection with a hand torch. The scent already has Neil’s son impatient to dig in.

Neil Gibson
Outgoing AIT Kaohsiung head
This is American beef, but made the Taiwanese way. It symbolizes how the US and Taiwan are good friends. Best friends!

Hearing that Neil was headed to the night market, the whole family put in their orders.

Neil Gibson
Outgoing AIT Kaohsiung head
Since Ruifeng Night Market always has new vendors, you can wander around and take your time. When my family heard I was coming, I got a huge list on Line of things to order.

This next stall is his wife’s go-to Taiwanese food.

Neil and the owner are good friends. They start chatting away as soon as he walks up.

Stinky tofu stall owner
Surprised by Gibson’s Mandarin
At first, before he started talking, I didn’t know his Mandarin was so good. He’s been here many times with his wife. They’ve brought their kids, too.

By ordering stinky tofu and asking for extra chili sauce, Neil breaks the stereotype that foreigners can’t stand the pungent dish.

Neil Gibson
Outgoing AIT Kaohsiung head
Cheese is made from fermented milk, right? It’s the same concept. I went to Shenkeng once and bought raw stinky tofu to surprise my wife. I brought it home, got a pot of oil, heat it up boiling hot, and put the raw Shenkeng tofu in. Immediately, my wife shouted, “What are you doing!” Our carpet, couch, clothes, everything smelled so bad.

Time really does fly. By fully immersing himself in daily life here, this outgoing foreign officer forged lasting bonds with the people of Taiwan.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

#AIT #NeilGibson #Kaohsiung #nightmarket #stinkytofu #RuifengNightMarket #AITKaohsiung #TaiwanUS #USbeef

2026-06-04

Market for zongzi picks up as Dragon Boat Festival approaches

Dragon Boat Festival is still a few weeks away, but zongzi are already selling fast. These sticky rice dumplings, usually filled with meat, are the festival’s signature food. One traditional zongzi store in Changhua’s Lukang Township already received an order of 400, while the Changhua Fisherman’s Association’s eel zongzi are also rising to the challenge.

There is so many flavors! Which one to pick? You gotta buy ’em all.

- It’s delicious. The ingredients are fresh.

- There ae lots of thin bamboo shoots, and lots of mushrooms too.

- I bought 30. I’ve had these ones for over 40 years. My hair has turned from black to white.

This sticky rice dumpling is packed with filling, including bamboo shoots, pork, mushrooms, and egg yolk. These famous zongzi bring smiles to people’s faces after one bite.

- The owner is really thoughtful, she never raises the price.

This zongzi stand in Changhua’s Lukang Township has been running for 54 years. Even as the cost of ingredients has risen these past few years, its zongzi have remained the same price for the last three. This year, one company has already ordered 400.

Ms. Hsiu-chen
Zongzi stand owner
I haven’t raised my prices in three years. I make about NT$5 on each zongzi, earning slowly but benefitting the customers. We usually sell over 30,000 leading up to the Dragon Boat Festival, it’s the same every year.

The Changhua Fisherman’s Association is selling their very own braised eel zongzi, which is popular among people who like seafood. Its price also remains unchanged.

Chen Wei-ku
Changhua Fisherman’s Association director
This year the Changhua Fisherman’s Association froze the price, giving it cheaply to our customers.

With both traditional stands and the fisherman’s association freezing the price of their zongzi, this year’s market is sure to be competitive leading up to the Dragon Boat Festival.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

#DragonBoatFestival #ricedumpling #stickyriceball #zongzi #eel #pork #bamboo #tradition #price #cheap

2026-06-04

TSMC CEO optimistic about future Growth, as revenue hits NT$3.8T

2026-06-04

Kaohsiung dumps stray dogs in Tainan’s Longqi, sparking fury

Residents of Longqi District in Tainan have long noticed an increase in the numbers of stray dogs in recent years. There have been many reports of attacks on protected pangolins. Chicken farmers are also worried. Now, there is widespread outrage after residents discovered that animal protection authorities in neighboring Kaohsiung were offloading their city’s stray dogs into Longqi District under the cover of night. Let’s find out more.

These stray dogs have been confirmed by the Tainan City Animal Health Inspection and Protection Office to be spayed or neutered, microchipped, and then released into the wild by officials.

Hung Chen-kai
Tainan City Government
Upon investigation, three of these five animals had implanted microchips. They were transferred from shelters in other counties and cities to Longqi District.

The Tainan City Animal Health Inspection and Protection Office’s explanation was guarded. However, the vehicle that released these stray dogs in Longqi District was actually an official vehicle from the Kaohsiung City Animal Protection Office. Under the cover of night, they released five stray dogs into mountainous areas in Longqi and were caught red-handed by local residents.

Lu Chih-hung
Chicken farmer
We could never find the culprit before. But this time, we caught the Kaohsiung City Animal Protection Office red-handed in the middle of releasing these strays.

It’s not just chicken farmers that detest stray dogs. There are also many protected pangolins in Longqi and there have been frequent reports of them attacked by stray dogs. The Tainan City Animal Health Inspection and Protection Office never releases stray dogs caught in Longqi back to the area. However, officials from the office never expected that their neighboring counterparts would cross over city borders and cause trouble.

Kuo Ming-chin
Kaohsiung City Animal Protection Office
The administrative boundaries at the scene were not easily discernible, causing staff to mistakenly return the dogs to a neighboring jurisdiction administered by Tainan.

However, local residents are questioning the increase in the number of stray dogs in recent years. They suspect that official vehicles have gotten lost there more than once. They are hoping that the government will take Taiwan’s stray dog problem seriously and not let the ecosystem of Longqi District, Tainan’s precious backyard, be ruined.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

#straydogs #pangolins #Taiwanpangolins #Tainan #Kaohsiung #animalprotection

2026-06-04

Altius-600M drones achieve 100% hit rate during exercise

2026-06-04

Town in Nantou’s besieged by massive swarm of bees

2026-06-04

Deliverer loses cool after client shows up to door in underwear

When you order food delivery, do you dress up to collect your meal? Or do you roll up to the front door in your PJs? That’s the crux of an argument that has gone viral online, involving a food deliverer who felt disrespected when the client picked up his meal wearing just a pair of boxers. The delivery worker asked him to at least put some pants on, but the client refused, saying he didn’t see a reason to do so, since he was in his own home. Both sides grabbed their phones to record the spat that followed, which has put delivery etiquette at the center of the internet’s hottest debate.

- I asked him to put some pants on
and show a little respect.
I even brought the food up.

The food deliverer lost his cool after a young man came to the door to pick up his order in his underwear. He says it’s a form of harassment.

- I warned you to put on some pants.
- Why should I?
- Because I don’t know you.
We’re strangers.
Show some respect!

But the client refused to change clothes, and instead pulled out his own phone and recorded the shouting match about whether clothes are necessary or optional.

- I picked up the order in underwear.
He said I didn’t respect it.
He even asked if I wanted to fight.

The spat happened in New Taipei’s Banqiao District. Though neither party sued the other, they both posted videos of the incident on social media, accusing each other of vulgarity. The client says he saw nothing wrong with collecting his food wearing just a pair of boxers, adding that he ended up putting on a pair of trousers. He pledged to file a complaint on the delivery platform. Meanwhile, the deliverer feels violated, and says it’s not the first time it’s happened.

Mr. Wang
Food deliverer
He thinks I shouldn’t ask him to wear pants. But I think everyone should be treated with respect, no matter our jobs. It’s his home and he can wear whatever he wants in there as long as he’s not interacting with me. It’s none of my business. But when you’re meeting a stranger, you should show basic manners.

So, who’s wrong and who’s right? People are of two minds.

Member of public
Would wear pants
Just wear some shorts or something. Just boxers is not OK.

Member of public
Thinks deliverer is overreacting
Out of politeness, you would put on some trousers. But my first thought was that it doesn’t really matter. I think the deliverer is making a mountain out of a molehill.

A legal expert says that since the client was at home, it would be difficult to prosecute him for public indecency or nuisance. Legally, it’s fine to be underdressed, but civically perhaps it’s better to put on some clothes.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

#aita #clothes #delivery #food #uber #foodpanda

2026-06-04

ICDF to offer student internships in diplomatic allies Saint Lucia and Eswatini

If you’re a student who dreams of being a diplomat, take note! Taiwan’s International Cooperation and Development Fund is marking its 30th anniversary with a new campus ambassadors program. University students aged 18 to 30 can apply for summer internships that let them experience vocational training and medical missions in two of Taiwan’s diplomatic allies: Eswatini and Saint Lucia. The organizers hope that through these internships, a youthful perspective on Taiwan’s diplomatic activities will spread in the community.

President Lai Ching-te recently visited Eswatini, Taiwan’s only formal diplomatic ally in Africa. The visit took the friendship between the two countries to the next level, and Lai had to overcome considerable pressure from China, drawing the attention of the international community. Now, diplomatic outreach is not only for heads of state, ordinary college students can do it too.

Shouldering large backpacks, students depart Taoyuan Airport for Eswatini. The 20-plus hour flight sees university students brimming with enthusiasm as they step out of their comfort zones to deeply experience a different kind of life in international aid over their summer vacations. From observing and learning about vocational training programs to medical checkups, Taiwanese youth are actively involved, all thanks to the International Cooperation and Development Fund. This year marks the ICDF’s 30th anniversary, a new milestone.

Hsieh Pei-fen
ICDF deputy secretary general
In a way, a 30th anniversary is like turning 30 years old—it’s a truly special milestone. This time, we’ve made special arrangements for students to visit Eswatini, which President Lai just recently visited, or Saint Lucia in the Caribbean, one of our diplomatic allies. You could say these are countries most people might only have the chance to visit once in a lifetime

Not only can students travel to Eswatini, but also to Saint Lucia, a formal diplomatic ally in the Caribbean. For the first time the ICDF is publicly selecting campus ambassadors. Anyone who is 18 years of age or older can apply. After passing the online review and selection process, they can realize their dreams of diplomacy.

Hsieh Pei-fen
ICDF deputy secretary general
If I weren’t already over thirty, I would sign up immediately, because I truly believe this is an exceptionally good opportunity. Many of our diplomatic allies aren’t usually tourist destinations for our citizens. This is a great opportunity, as the ICDF covers all expenses, including airfare and accommodation.

With just a blink of an eye, the ICDF has turned 30. Now it will help the younger generation enter adulthood by gaining new international perspectives.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

#Taiwaninternships #Taiwandiplomacy #Caribbeantravel #Eswatinitravel #internships

2026-06-04