Xinhua Old Street

Lined with traditional shophouses in modernist and Baroque styles, Xinhua Old Street in Tainan is a charming, time-forgotten spot that offers a vintage atmosphere, where delicious snacks and entertaining delights are never in shortage. To satisfy your food cravings, deep-fried chicken steaks with Chinese herbs, baked layered flatbreads and egg cakes will make your stomach happy. For your sightseeing pleasure, Yang Kuei Culture Memorial Hall, Jieyichang (a fine-dining restaurant built inside of an old government building) and the amusing police station in the form of a peaked cap are all within walking distance.

These quaint shophouses with Baroque-influenced facades on both sides of the old street showcase the antiquity of Japanese-era modernity, and there is much to admire about the details. As for the good eats, the flaky flatbreads in Xinhua are like no other: they are more like scallion pancakes with meaty filling, crispy on the outside and salty on the inside. They taste so good that almost every patron leaves with a bag full of flatbreads. Another eatery selling deep-fried chicken steaks with Chinese herbs is always teeming with hungry locals. The chicken steaks are succulent and slightly spicy, making one keep asking for more — queuing is inevitable though. For fine dining, Jieyichang will be a very nice place for a romantic meal in a nostalgic setting right within a historic landmark.