🌟 Adopt online booking; open for pickup only on Thursdays.
🌟 Savory taro, a must-try for taro lovers.
🌟 Available in both meat and vegetarian versions.

"Taro Cake from Bao Cai" has been operating for over 30 years in an alley next to Sheng Da Market, without a sign. Originally named "Village Chief's Taro Cake" because the owner is the village chief, the store has now changed its name to "Bao Cai's Taro Cake." It's really a hidden gem in Tainan that only locals know about, especially for savory taro! If you don’t make a reservation, you can check the FB page on Thursdays for any unsold taro cakes, but they usually sell out immediately.

Bao Cai’s Taro Cake shop is a metal shed, with a small advertisement for the taro cake hanging on a post. When you arrive to pick up your order, you will see entire boxes sitting on the metal tables. Don't think there are extra goods available; these are all pre-ordered! The first time I went to buy, I thought at least some would be available at the shop; however, I found out that all the visible items were already reserved. The environment is clean and comfortable, and the service is very friendly.

The menu for Bao Cai's Taro Cake is as follows: Besides the signature meat/vegetarian taro cake, the shop also occasionally has sausages, handmade wontons, braised tofu, hand-washed aiyu jelly, and handmade winter melon syrup. The savory/vegetarian taro cake is priced at 35 NT dollars each. The preservation and steaming methods are as follows:
Refrigerated: Keep for 1-2 days (when steaming, use 8 parts water per measuring cup of rice).
Frozen: Keep for 1-2 months (when steaming, use 1 cup of water per measuring cup of rice).
After steaming, allow it to cool slightly before eating. The texture will gradually become chewy.

Now, let's eat!
Taro Cake $35
The taro cake is stir-fried with shallots and enhanced with minced meat for flavor. This taro cake is very elastic and full of chewiness, with the taro cut into large cubes, making it soft and sticky with a distinctive texture. It also has the savory aroma of shallots and minced meat, making it incredibly irresistible—every bite leaves you wanting more; friends who have tried it all praise it!
The owner mentioned that some customers pan-fry it for a different texture; I'll try that next time.

Thoughts: At first, I would buy more than 20 pieces weekly with friends, but later I got busier and stopped going. Every time I go with friends, everyone eats at least 5 pieces or more. When it comes to savory taro, Bao Cai is truly the king!

Emphasis on Meals: Both vegetarian and meat options, the taro cake is fantastic.

Emphasis on Environment: Metal shed provides a pickup spot.

Emphasis on Parking: Motorcycles can park at the door; cars are difficult to park.

Emphasis on Restrooms: None.

Emphasis on Queuing: Online reservations eliminate the need to queue.

Emphasis on Service: Not bad, the owner is quite enthusiastic.

Value for Money: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
(Simply discussing food and price)

Options for savory food, afternoon tea, and snacks in Tainan.