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Spa Cuisine

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Post date:2016-11-23

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Spa Cuisine
Beitou not only has its famous hot springs but has also developed a distinctive spa cuisine. For instance, because Beitou’s hot springs have a close association with Japanese culture, exquisite kaiseki cuisine is often available. Also, because of Beitou’s proximity to Yangmingshan, it is very easy to get a taste of very fresh local products that are cultivated or gathered in the wild.
Because the Japanese were very attracted to Beitou’s hot springs, the Beitou area thrived during the Japanese occupation. Many hot spring resorts were erected, making Beitou one of Taiwan’s most important destinations for hosting guests. During the 1950s, the resort culture reached its peak, and the food served in these resorts, called jiujiacai or “hotel cuisine,” was also known as guancai or “official’s cuisine,” since only top officials and wealthy businessmen were able to afford it. The guancai at that time could compete with the food served in five-star hotels today in terms of flavor and service. It is also said that the Taiwanese-style banquet of today evolved from the “hotel cuisine” of Beitou.
Beitou’s “hotel cuisine” emphasized abundance and appearance, and was rather heavy-flavored since it was meant to accompany liquor. However, over time it has evolved. Nowadays it has combined with aspects of Mainland cuisine and Japanese cuisine, and there is a stronger emphasis on healthy eating and lighter flavors. These elements have combined to form Beitou’s distinctive food culture today.
If you don’t want to eat too much, there are also hot spring noodles and hot spring eggs to choose from. After you have had a hot spring bath, you’ll feel very relaxed, but don’t forget to treat yourself to the special spa cuisine!

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