Established in the 45th year of the Republic (1956), the popular old shop Shui Xian Gong specializes in zongye rice cakes and four herbal soups, using traditional methods to create rice cakes, which are steamed daily in bamboo baskets, stir-fried by hand, and made with braised meat sauce. They carefully preserve the delicious flavors cherished by their long-time customers, so it’s no wonder that they are busier than ever and doing excellent business. The takeout is packaged in bamboo leaves, hence the name zongye rice cakes.

They offer a wide variety of items including rice, soup, and braised dishes—all traditional snacks from Tainan. Personally, I usually only eat the rice cakes when I visit, because there are just too many delicious things to try in Tainan.

The rice cakes are made with aged glutinous rice that is steamed to achieve a fragrant, chewy texture with each grain distinct. Topped with selected peanuts, drizzled with rich meat sauce, and layered with grilled fish flakes, all accompanied by refreshing slices of cucumber, they create a rich and delicious dish. Not only do they evoke traditional flavors but they are even more delicious. It’s truly very tasty, and next time I want to try the bone and meat soup.

Delicious Tainan rice cakes.

This is probably the most authentic Tainan rice cake I have ever tasted. The glutinous rice is steamed to a moderately soft texture, topped with a layer of dried meat, covered with fish cakes, and placed next to two slices of cucumber and a few peanuts.

The glutinous rice is very important whether the rice cake is delicious or not. The meat dumpling is the soul. This is one of the most delicious southern rice cakes I have ever tasted.