Taiwan: The Flavours of Land and Sea

Taiwan’s cuisine is shaped by an extraordinary diversity of landscapes, cultures and culinary influences, from its mountains and forests to its fertile plains and surrounding seas. Indigenous food traditions, Hakka and Hoklo cooking, Japanese influences and regional Chinese cuisines have all contributed to a food culture that is distinctly Taiwanese, while the island’s abundant local produce provides an exceptional foundation for its cuisine. From rice, tea, seafood and mountain vegetables to indigenous herbs, tropical fruits and seasonal produce, ingredients are often at the heart of the Taiwanese culinary experience. Our Secret Tables in Taiwan celebrate this diversity in many forms, from traditional dishes and time-honoured cooking methods to contemporary interpretations by chefs exploring local ingredients with new techniques and ideas. Across the island, a new generation of chefs is rediscovering regional produce and lesser-known ingredients, bringing fresh perspectives to Taiwanese cuisine while remaining connected to the flavours and food culture of the island. Each Secret Table offers its own expression of Taiwan, revealing how a cuisine rooted in its land and diverse cultural influences continues to evolve.