Matsu Islands, Taiwan | The Foodie Trail

From Omakase seafood feast to local signature snacks, there are countless delicious options for food waiting to be explored on Matsu Islands. As a dedicated foodie I've compiled some of the most unique and delicious food that I've tried during my visit.

1. 黑熊&喵的店 Black Bear and Meow

An enthusiastic young couple (Black bear is the husband and Meow is the wife) runs this restaurant and they vow to serve creative dishes using the best ingredients sourced locally and abroad. The concept is Omakase where there is no specific menu but chef will decide on the dishes based on the freshest ingredients available. Be prepared to wait for while or drink some locally brewed rice wine as all the dishes are prepared upon ordering.

• Address: No35, Ren Ai Village 2, Nangan, Matsu, Fu-Chien, Taiwan.

• Phone: +886 970 765 037

• Facebook: www.facebook.com/pg/碧園黑熊喵の店-673679006063281

2. 萬家香二店 Wan Jia Xiang 2

The most delicious foods are often the simplest ones. Nothing fancy. No nonsense. Nothing but a bowl of warm, comfort food that heals every hungry soul. For example, these homemade noodles and dumplings soup are so irresistibly delicious that they are often sold out before the restaurant's closing time.

• Address: No 162, Jie Shou Village, Nangan Township, Matsu, Fu-Chien, Taiwan.

• Phone: 0836 25155

• Business Hours: 0700-1400 (until sold out)

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WanJiaXiang2

3. 超群繼光餅 Chao Qun Ji Guang Bing aka Matsu Hamburger

It's a doughnut! It's a burger! It's Ji Guang Bing aka Matsu Hamburger!

Having tried the normal Ji Guang Bing on my first day arriving at Matsu Islands, I must confess that I wasn't a big fan of it. The texture was rather hard and chewy. However, Ji Guang Bing at Chao Qun completely changed my perception. They fried the bun to give it a crust while maintaining the soft texture. The fillings of the "hamburger" are fried egg and sliced pork. I was tempted to have this as my breakfast everyday during my visit to Matsu Islands. You can even purchase the Ji Guang Bing as it is one of the most famous local products sought after by tourists.

• Address: No.93, Matsu Village, Nangan Township, Fu-Chien, Matsu, Taiwan.

• Phone: 0836-22251

• Business Hours: 0700-2200

• Facebook: www.facebook.com/ChaoQunJiGuangBing/

4. 華美美食 Hua Mei Restaurant

Fancy some local delicacies? In Dongju Island, there is a cozy restaurant called 華美美食, which serves famous authentic Taiwanese specialties such as beef noodles, fried rice with red yeast, dumpling soup, soy pudding, etc. An ideal place to come for breakfast or brunch as they serve a good varieties of coffee, drinks and snacks. I highly recommend their signature dishes which are the fried chicken and Taiwanese scallion pancakes.

• Address: No. 28, Da Ping Village, Dongju Island, Matsu, Fu-Chien, Taiwan Phone: 0836 88388

• Business Hour: 0630-1400; 1730-1900

• Facebook: www.facebook.com/華美美食-馬祖東莒-1390017857909445/

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優惠

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Step 3：打開Card 蹓馬祖就可以看到合作店家優惠，包含餐廳、伴手禮、民宿，都可以在上面找到優惠訊息。

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Matsu Islands, Taiwan | Just Follow The BOSS

Thanks to The BOSS, the owner of Matsu Boss B&B, my one-night-trip to Dongju Island, Matsu, turned out to be one of the most unique experiences appreciating nature, architecture and some of the best local delicacies in Matsu Islands.

Where is Joshua?

I'm on Dongju Island, Matsu.

Nearly an hour’s sailing time to the south of Nangan Island is the rugged Juguang Township, which has two inhabited islands – Dongju and Xiju.

Actually, the names Dongju and Xiju are relatively recent. The islands originally bore the names Dongquan (“Eastern Dog”) and Xiquan (“Western Dog”). In 1971 they were renamed Dongju and Xiju.

On these islands, as in other parts of the archipelago, the growing season is short and there is little flat land. However, with the growing tourism industry, the breathtakingly uneven scenery has become a definite asset for the locals.

To transfer to Dongju, I took the thrice-daily boat service from Nangan’s Fuao Harbor. The first ferry sets out at 7AM. Those unable to spend a night in Juguang Township can try to get back to Dongju’s Mengao Harbor before 3:10PM. for the final return voyage.

I'd say that staying overnight is a much better option, as it allows you to explore the area at a relaxed pace. There are accommodation options in every part of the island, and my choice is Hotel Matsu Boss (船老大), a cozy B&B which also provides dining, transportation and tour guide services.

Visiting Dongju during the summer boosts your chances of seeing “blue tears” and "blue sands", both beguiling natural phenomena caused by bio-luminescent microorganisms. Unfortunately, it is winter now so I'd have to settle with another attraction on the island, Dongquan Lighthouse which was built in 1872-75 by the English firm Chance Brothers and Co. Ltd. at the behest of the British Empire. The British were among the Western powers who in the 19th century forced China to open its ports to foreign trade, and the lighthouse served as a navigational aid for vessels approaching Fuzhou.

How do I know all these? Well, I had the privilege of having The BOSS as my tour guide. Picking us up at the pier, he then took us for a ride around Dongju Island, before sending us to his B&B and served us dinner.

The BOSS is the best tour guide one can ever hope for. He knows every corner and hidden gems of the island by heart.

The rooms at Mastu Boss B&B may look basic but they are clean and tidy. Dinner was undoubtedly the highlight of the day. The meat of the freshly caught fish and seafood was so tender and the vegetables were sweet and crunchy. That's truly some high quality local ingredients that you don't get elsewhere!

Now you know who to look for when you visit Dongju Island next time! Also, The BOSS told us excitedly that he is building a new multi-stories hotel to accommodate more guests. Pointing at the soon-to-be-completed rooftop of the hotel, he said that the guests would get to stargaze and enjoy the best night view.

Facts & Figures

• The room rates are NT1400 for 2 pax, NT1800 for 3 pax, and NT2400 for 4 pax.

• Pick-up, guided tour and transportation can be arranged with the B&B.

船老大民宿 Matsu Boss B&B

Address: 211, Dongju Island, Juguang Township, Lienchiang County, Mastu, Fuchien, Taiwan.

Phone: +886 8 368 8022

Business Hours: Always Open

Website: http://hotel.mastu/idv/tw/captain/

Facebook: www.facebook.com/hotel.matsu.boss

/ / /

優惠

下載《Card 蹓馬祖》電子會員卡， 在馬祖旅行時享受更多優惠.

Card 蹓馬祖下載：請點我這是一張虛擬會員卡，只要透過手機下載ＡＰＰ就享有合作店家優惠。

Step 1：到手機商店搜尋Perkd 並下載；

Step 2：掃描店家QR code 或是在ＡＰＰ裡搜尋 【Card 蹓馬祖】 並註冊；

Step 3：打開Card 蹓馬祖就可以看到合作店家優惠，包含餐廳、伴手禮、民宿，都可以在上面找到優惠訊息。

▶掃一掃，直接下載《Card 蹓馬祖》優惠！

Matsu Islands, Taiwan | Can You Hear the Waves?

With its beautifully designed rooms and strategic location, Blue Tears B&B located in Nangan Island is one of the best accommodation options on Matsu Islands, Taiwan.

Where is Joshua?

I’m in Nangan Island, Matsu, Taiwan.

I normally sleep in total darkness. I’ll make sure all the lights are switched off before I go to sleep. However, I’ve decided tonight that I’ll keep this blue lights on because it reminds me of the ocean and the beautiful marine lives surrounding the Matsu islands.

Each of the room in this beautiful, elegant B&B, BLUE TEARS, has a different theme and design. Mine is inspired from the alluring and mysterious underwater world.

I can almost hear the waves hitting the shore not far from my room.

Or perhaps I was dreaming.

Facts & Figures

• There are other room types (twin room, 3 pax room, 4 pax room) with unique interior design, style and wall painting that cater to different needs.

• The beds are super comfy. I was told the bed costs NT120,000 each!

• The shower rooms are exceptionally spacious and comfortable. Basic amenities (toothbrush, shower gel, shampoo, towers,etc) are provided.

• 3 floors in total. 1st floor (Ground Floor) is the dining area while 2nd and 3rd floor are the guestrooms. Unfortunately there's no elevator.

• A 7-11 convenient shop is located just across the road from the hotel.

• BLUE TEARS Hotel is about 10 minutes drive from the Nangan Airport.

Address: 1st Floor, 128-3 Qingshui Rd, Qingshui Village, Nangan, Matsu.

Phone: 0905-109-690

Business Hours: 0930-1800 (Weekdays); 1000-1500 (Weekends & Public Holidays)

Website: www.bluetearsroom.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/bbt22356

/ / /

優惠

下載《Card 蹓馬祖》電子會員卡， 在馬祖旅行時享受更多優惠。

Card 蹓馬祖下載：請點我

這是一張虛擬會員卡，只要透過手機下載ＡＰＰ就可享有合作店家優惠。

Step 1：到手機商店搜尋Perkd 並下載；

Step 2：掃描店家QR code 或是在ＡＰＰ裡搜尋【 Card 蹓馬祖 】並註冊；

Step 3：打開Card 蹓馬祖就可以看到合作店家優惠，包含餐廳、伴手禮、民宿，都可以在上面找到優惠訊息。

▶掃一掃，直接下載《Card 蹓馬祖》優惠！