For the first time ever, this year’s Michelin Guide for Taiwan will include eateries located in the southern part of the country. But the guide’s representation of one of Taiwan’s most beloved dishes has caused quite a stir.
Oyster omelets are a uniquely Taiwanese delicacy. Oysters are fried on a pan with egg and vegetables until golden brown, then smothered in sauce. But this humble dish is now Michelin approved.
This year, the Michelin Guide’s Bib Gourmand featured 27 restaurants in Tainan. The Bib Gourmand is a selection of low-cost high-value restaurants Michelin recommends.
But a photo used to depict one of Tainan’s best oyster omelets is causing a stir. Many are saying, “hey wait a second, that’s a real oyster omelet!”
One local resident says it looks like a French take on the Taiwanese classic.
Locals say the dish pictured in the Michelin Guide is a misrepresentation of the Taiwanese favorite. But the restaurant’s owner says it’s all a misunderstanding.
The restaurant owner says the picture shown is from 2014. She says it was for display purposes only, with the oysters stacked on top to show that their take on the dish is brimming with the succulent shellfish.
The owner adds that the dish pictured is different from how it is typically prepared at her establishment. But this recent spat shows just how passionate Taiwanese people are about their traditional gastronomy.