I was recently in Taiwan. Specifically in the city of Kaohsiung. Now, I have been to Taipei many times for holidays. Yet, I have never been to Kaohsiung for a proper holiday. Many years ago, I did spend a night in Kaohsiung, but one night doesn’t do this beautiful city any justice. The food for one is great! Any extended stay in Kaohsiung, must be accompanied by a furious sampling of the great food here. One of such places I visited while I was there is Chef Teng Restaurant (鄧師傅功夫菜). He has many locations in Kaohsiung. The one I had visited is the main shop at 中正三路82號 (仁愛一街). Chef Teng (retired) was there to meet us. Lucky me. The other Chef Teng (his eldest son) who is usually in another shop in Taipei, happened to be around. It was a great opportunity to chat with both chefs who shared their ideas about the food they make for their customers.
The 2 dishes above are what Chef Teng is famous for. He does not disappoint. I hate fatty stuff. But he promised that it’s not what I imagine. So I gave it a try. Wow! Especially the thigh meat pictured on the right, it had the right texture (not to tough, not too soft) and there was no greasy after taste.
Chef Teng is a family business. The shop caters mainly to the everyday crowd and prices are reasonable. He has a large clientele of regulars that eat at his shop. Very much like us Singaporeans, who will regularly visit the neighbourhood Chap Cai stall in the coffeeshop. Some of the dishes I tried and liked are pictured below.
In fact, the entrance of his shop is set-up just like a Chap Cai stall. Take a look.
You pick your dishes buffet style and then the staff will serve you what you have chosen with a bowl of white rice.
Finally, after gorging yourself silly with all the heavenly food, treat yourself to some nice dessert. Chef Teng has thoughtfully packed them into little glass bottles if you would like to take them home to savour instead.
Incidentally, he serves them both cold and hot. They taste nice either way. This trip to Taiwan was made possible by the good grace of the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Department of Commerce of Taiwan. Like most Taiwanese I’ve met, they have been the most gracious and wonderful hosts.
The Modern Living 