Sun Moon Lake's Liveliest Food Scene
Ita Thao Food Street stretches a few hundred meters beside the pier, packed with dozens of stalls and restaurants serving everything from indigenous Thao specialties to creative snacks. I've been eating my way through this street for decades — here are my top picks.
1. Millet Mochi
The signature snack of Ita Thao. Handmade millet mochi (小米麻糬) is pillowy-soft and coated in peanut or sesame powder. A serving of 6–8 pieces costs just NT$50 (~US$1.60). Head for the oldest stall near the pier — the auntie has been making them for decades.
2. Wild Boar Sausage
Grilled wild boar sausages are firmer and chewier than regular pork, seasoned with maqaw (mountain pepper) for a distinctly indigenous flavor. NT$50 per link — eat it the local way with raw garlic and pickled cabbage. Tip: authentic boar sausage is darker in color and won't be dirt cheap.
3. Stretched Shrimp (La Chang Xia)
The trendiest snack in recent years: a whole shrimp battered, fried, and pulled into a long crispy strip. NT$60–80 per piece, fun to eat and photogenic. Queue times of 15–20 minutes are common; avoid the noon rush.
4. President Fish
President Fish (曲腰魚) is a freshwater fish unique to Sun Moon Lake, reportedly a favorite of Chiang Kai-shek. Served steamed or braised for NT$300–500 per dish; the flesh is tender and sweet with no muddy aftertaste. Best shared between two or more people.
5. Millet Wine
Thao millet wine is lightly sweet with a subtle grain aroma and about 12–15% ABV — easy to drink but surprisingly potent. Tastings from NT$30; a full bottle runs NT$300–500. If you indulge, take the boat back instead of driving.
More Street Snacks
- Rice-Stuffed Chicken Wings (NT$60) — crispy wings packed with sticky rice
- Millet Doughnuts (NT$40) — fried millet rings dusted with powdered sugar
- Black Tea Egg Rolls (NT$100–200/box) — the most popular souvenir
- Wild Boar Skewers (NT$80) — charcoal-grilled with onion and pepper
- Bamboo Tube Rice (NT$50) — sticky rice steamed in fresh bamboo
Practical Tips
- Hours: Most stalls 10 AM – 8 PM; weekends until 9 PM
- Budget: NT$200–400 per person for a satisfying crawl
- Getting there: 15-minute drive or 20-minute ferry from Shuishe Pier