Since most experts agree that Taiwan has some of the world`s best Chinese restaurants and it`s a fact that the island boasts cuisines from all parts of mainland China, Taiwan has long been a culinary mecca for foodies. This August there`s even more reason than usual for lovers of Chinese cooking to visit Taiwan. The annual Taipei Chinese Food Festival runs from August 4 to 7 in Hall 1, Area A of the Taipei World Trade Center, in the island`s capital, Taipei.

Visitors will find numerous pavilions showing different kinds of cuisine, including herbal health food, rice dishes made with Taiwan`s legendary rice, seafood from coastal Taiwan and mountain-grown delicacies, Hakka cuisine and dishes made with the produce of Taiwan`s recreational farms. Not to be missed is the exhibit of cuisine and culture of Tunghuang, a Silk Road city famed for its cave temples and Buddhist art. The Tunghuang dishes follow the culinary principles of color, fragrance, flavor, shape, volume, feeling, sight and meaning, thereby displaying the classical refinement of the Tunghuang culinary culture. Teams of renowned chefs from around the globe (Beijing, Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, the U.S. and Taiwan) will compete for the culinary crown, and visitors will be able to sample specialties from twelve of Taiwan`s five-star hotels and leading restaurants. In the food court, they will also be able to enjoy such authentic Taiwanese snack foods as Gua-bou, or Steamed Pork Buns, the local favorite Ru-ro-fan, or Rice with Meat Sauce, Wonton Soup made from a centuries-old recipe, and the celebrated purple-colored Cactus Ice Cream from Punghu.