Jiu Fen

Around 40 mins drive from Taipei 101, we arrived Jiu Fen. It was drizzling. According to Ah Xiang, it always raining because it’s located within the hills in the northern Taiwan. It’s next to the mountain and facing the sea. She said her daughter was study in the primary school in Jiu Fen and one of the school regulations was punishment will be conducted for those who didn’t bring umbrella or raincoat. The principal of the school was very concern about the health of the students.

Jiu Fen used to be the prosperous mining town but until 1950 mining activities has ceased and regained tranquility. This place regained its popularity when the movies “city of Sadness” (悲情的城市）shoot here. “city of Sadness” is a Taiwanese historical film directed by Hou Hsiao Xian. This movies has won prize in Venice Film Festival and arise people memory about Jiu Fen. 

The most famous shopping district in Jiu Fen was Jiu Fen old street . 

Jiu Fen old street super crowded but we still excited to explore traditional fish ball, tara ball, braised pork on rise, prawn ball that highly recommended by Ah Xiang.

There are full of food stalls for both side of the old street and that’ll be the Paradise for JoJo and Rosamond (that are passionate of food lovers compared me).Haha~~~~

She's enjoying her prawn ball. 2 pieces prawn balls costs NT 50

Brown sugar ginger tea

Most of the shops sells the same types of foods. The worst thing is they claimed they sold the traditional one. For example, fish ball, taro ball. I can't differentiate the original and traditional one.  We just try those suggested by Ah Xiang. I had the limited stomach and money. 

Traditional fish balls recommended by Ah Xiang.The signature of this shop was Fu Zhou fish ball. Due to the customers demands, the owner introduce wide varieties of fish ball

Order form and then paid the bill

Drunken Chicken, mixed fish balls, dried noodles, braised pork on rice, and pork skin

Vegetables with braised pork oil. For me,all of them taste average!

I can't remember the name of this food!@@

Taro ball shop

JoJo and Rosamond

Original tara ball

Bee sting cake

Fish ball

Another unique stall that selling seafood

We didn't go for whole Jiu Fen old street after 1 ½ hour because we run out of time. We've to met  with Ah Xiang in Rong Ji Crispy Pork Paper (荣记猪肉纸). It was pretty relaxing, happy and satisfied although lack of time to enjoy the environment and view of Jiu Fen.

If  I’ve time, I definitely visit all the stalls to enjoy their food texture, decorations and ambience. They’ re extreme special! 1 ½ house wasn’t enough to finished walking the whole Jiu Fen old street, I will come back again and try to stay in the homestay in this peaceful old town for 1 night.