Taiwan has faced several cold weather fronts this winter, with even more frigid systems on the way. For an island largely without indoor heating, residents get creative with ways to stave off the cold.
Shrimp, shredded bamboo shoots, and oysters all piled high on a bed of glutinous spring rice, followed by a sprinkle of sakura shrimp and ladles of steaming hot broth– the best cure for the cold weather is ready to serve.
Faced with cold winter weather, the residents of Tainan and Pingtung turn to rice porridge, or congee, and warm soup to stave off the cold. Locals say that a bowl of porridge in the morning helps them feel not only warm but fuller in the face of a cold morning. And it doesn’t hurt that this cold-weather remedy is only NT$100 a bowl.
Taiwan experienced a cold air mass blown over from China this week, with lows in Southern Taiwan down to 13.6 degrees Celsius in Chiayi on Monday, with Donggang and Pingtung not far behind at 16 degrees Celsius.
It was good news for congee and soup stands, however, which were crowded with people in search of hot meals. In Tainan, savory rice porridge with fishbone broth was the clear winner, whether eaten alone or with added ingredients such as fried breadsticks, or yóutiáo.
Customers say there’s just something about the soup and breadstick mix that makes them feel warm on cold winter days. One shop owner says she’s seen a 20% increase in customers in the last week alone.
Although this week’s chill is subsiding, the Central Weather Administration predicted Wednesday that there will be an even colder weather front coming Saturday as the northern air moves south over the island. With the new system of possibly the lowest temperatures that Taiwan has experienced so far, residents are warned to be prepared, so make sure to have your warm jacket, blankets, and maybe even a soup bowl at the ready.