TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Delicacies from China, such as Luosifen noodles, Sichuan ice jelly, beef noodles, and Chinese burger "Rougamo," have become popular options in Taiwan in recent years.
There are three main reasons for this trend: Taiwan has a high acceptance of various international cuisines, the food itself is delicious, and there are similarities in culinary culture.
Meanwhile, experts and scholars attribute this symptom to the influence of social media, particularly TikTok, since it has become an alternative connection between Taiwan and China.
"Any bizarre or interesting Chinese local dishes that appear on TikTok will make an impression on youth," Ou Su-hua, an EMBA assistant professor at Soochow University, explained.
"Hence, the cultural and culinary trends that emerged in this generation are tied closely with the overall trends in the pop culture and entertainment industry,” she added.
However, Chinese restaurant brands may not necessarily have an advantage in Taiwan due to the sensitivity of cross-strait relations, since any political changes could potentially affect them.
Li Chen-hsin, a marketing expert, pointed out that the Taiwanese are intrigued by the introduction of diverse Chinese cuisine due to the stale food options, mainly focusing on hot pot, all-you-can-eat, and barbecue.
"This explains why Sichuan fish soup with pickled vegetables has become popular in Taiwan lately. Many brands or small businesses have made trips to China intending to bring back unique products Taiwan does not have yet," Li shared.