For the past two years, the Michelin Guide has been profiling the best places to eat in Taipei, bringing Taiwan’s proud food culture to a worldwide audience. But Taipei is far from the whole picture when it comes to the best of Taiwanese food. Now, the Michelin Guide is giving Taiwan’s second city its own place in the spotlight.
Since 2018, when the Michelin Guide added Taipei to its list of gourmet hotspots, the city’s food service industry has been booming. But as people from other regions of Taiwan will tell you, Taipei food is just one facet of Taiwan’s rich culinary scene.
It seems the Michelin Guide’s editors agree. They’ve announced that from next year, the city of Taichung in central Taiwan is also going to appear in its Taiwan guide. With close to three million people, a thriving arts scene, and of course, plenty of great food, this up-and-coming city is nothing to sneeze at.
On Thursday, the Guide’s regional director for Asia, Nicolas Achard, formally announced Taichung’s inclusion in the 2020 lineup. Alongside him stood Transportation Minister Lin Chia-lung, who has served as Taichung’s Mayor and written a guide to the city himself. In his current position, Lin oversees Taiwan’s Tourism Bureau.
Lin said he hopes that in the future, the Guide will expand its profile of Taiwan to include the dining scene in Taiwan’s southern region as well.