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[Taiwan Travel 4 : Tainan Trip] Arriving in Tainan – Beef Noodle Soup, Cafés, and City Exploration

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Discovering Tainan’s Charm After Check-In

After checking into our cozy Airbnb in Tainan and a refreshing shower, it was already lunchtime!

At this point, I hadn’t visited Taipei yet, but Tainan had a distinctly different vibe. The warm climate, lush plants, and unique architecture all gave me a feeling that Tainan was special in its own way.

Tainan’s Famous Beef Noodle Soup

We started with a small beef noodle shop close to our stay. Taiwan is known for its beef noodle soup, and this one didn’t disappoint! Initially, we intended to treat it as a light appetizer, but it turned out to be one of the most satisfying meals of the trip.

Travel Tip: Unnie shared her food-hunting wisdom—save a list of good restaurants on your map beforehand. Then, when hunger strikes, just visit whichever one is nearby. Flexible, stress-free, and genius!

Exploring Japanese Influence: Kura Sushi in Tainan

After our satisfying beef noodles, we stumbled upon Kura Sushi, a popular Japanese conveyor belt sushi chain. Sen Unnie explained that Taiwan retains remnants of Japanese culture due to its colonial past, which reflects in its appreciation for authentic Japanese cuisine.

The sushi here was fresh and flavorful—perhaps thanks to Taiwan’s island geography! Plus, the restaurant had a fun gacha system: for every 5 plates, you get a shot at a random prize. We won a cute Rilakkuma keychain! Sen Unnie generously gave it to me, and it still hangs proudly on my bag to this day.


Tainan Café Recommendation: Panorama Caffe

After lunch, we walked to Panorama Caffe, a charming local café run by a kind couple. The atmosphere was peaceful, and the bar setup allowed us to watch as they carefully brewed our iced americano and milk tea.

It felt like a place crafted with genuine love for coffee and tea. Sitting there, I briefly dreamed of retiring one day to run a cozy café like this with someone special.

Tip: If you visit Tainan, Panorama Caffe is a must-stop for coffee lovers.

The Streets of Tainan – A Living Garden

Tainan’s streets are like an open-air botanical garden. Unique flowering trees, vines, and tropical plants line the streets, blending beautifully with pastel-colored houses. It feels as if the entire city breathes life and greenery.

Along the way, we noticed interesting features like water vending machines, where locals refill large bottles of water instead of buying plastic packs. Eco-friendly and practical!

Tainan Public Park – A Tranquil Escape

Our walk led us to a lush public park, filled with large ponds, towering tropical trees, and a peaceful ambiance. It reminded me of Korea’s Hanbat Arboretum but felt even more serene and secluded.

For anyone visiting Tainan, exploring its natural spaces offers a calming retreat.

The parks and streets of Tainan are filled with large ponds surrounded by lush tropical palm trees and enchanting vines that looked straight out of a theme park.

I had imagined Taiwan to be quite similar to Korea, but in reality, it was completely different. It made me realize that when we imagine unfamiliar places, we often rely on what we already know.

Tainan’s nature felt more lush, vibrant, and alive, as if the entire city was one vast garden. Experiencing this unexpected beauty made me grateful for choosing Tainan as my travel destination.

Tip: Tainan is the perfect place to relax and recharge. Simply walking through its natural landscapes can feel like a healing experience.

Tainan’s Unique Culture – Colorful Masks and Tea Culture

Two things stood out as we wandered through Tainan’s busier streets:

  1. Colorful Masks: Taiwanese people wore vibrant and patterned masks, unlike Korea’s standard white and black options.
  2. Tea Holders: Locals carried reusable tea holders for their drinks—practical and stylish! Taiwan’s love for tea was evident in the number of tea shops and beautiful teaware available for sale.

I couldn’t resist purchasing a cute tea holder and a pair of small tea cups as souvenirs.

Historical Visit to Chihkan Tower (赤嵌樓)

Our next stop was Chihkan Tower, a historical site built during the Dutch colonial period. Though the site itself isn’t massive, it has a unique charm and historical significance.

Unfortunately, our phones ran out of battery, limiting our photos. Thankfully, Sen Unnie had the foresight to ask a gift shop employee to write down our hotel address in Chinese, so we could easily hand it to a taxi driver. A small moment of brilliance that saved us from a stressful situation!

Key Takeaway: Discovering Taiwan Beyond the Expected

Tainan is a city full of surprises, from its stunning greenery to its deep-rooted cultural history. My preconceived ideas about Taiwan were shattered as I explored its unique beauty, welcoming atmosphere, and distinct charm.


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