[Kaohsiung 高雄] Yanchengpu MRT Station 盐埕埔捷運站 : Yancheng district stroll 盐埕区小散步 @ Lynda's Taiwan-logue

< Visited in Aug 2018 & May 2017 >

The Yancheng district (盐埕区) of today is nowhere a fraction of its heyday. Located near the coast and port, locals engaged in mullet (乌鱼) fishing and later "salt sunning" (晒盐) in the olden days. What is better known of the district now are Pier-2 Art Center 驳二艺术特区 and Kuchan (Jue Jiang) Shopping District 堀江商场, though my stroll in this blog covers the vicinity of Yanchengpu MRT station (盐埕埔站周边).

▼ The pink zone below marks the exits of Yanchengpu MRT 盐埕埔站.
The green zone essentially where my stroll covers.
And the orange zone a possible inclusion if your time permits.

▼ Within Yanchengpu MRT 盐埕埔站, anime-inspired ambassadors of Kaohsiung Metro.

▼ Commencing my stroll from exit 2

▼ An iconic Maneki-neko 招财猫 (literally lucky cat) right outside exit 2 (it's even marked on Google Maps)... and immediate surroundings.

▼ Walking straight ahead from exit 2, to Xinyue Street 新乐街, known as Kaohsiung's gold street in the olden days.

▼ This street is lined with traditional jewellers (银楼) and a neat display of their signboards, with old shops and newer cafes interspersed among them.

▼ Yan Ming Milk Tea 研茗奶茶 (FB), 1 of the 3 most well known milk tea shops here (the other 2 being 桦达奶茶 Hua Da Milk Tea - which has opened many outlets country-wide - and 双妃奶茶 Shuang Fei Milk Tea). Opened by retired tea expert Dr Lin Mu Lian (apparently quite a figure in the tea industry), you will probably appreciate such "old school" milk tea if you fancy a more robust (chinese) tea taste in your pearl milk tea. I did, for a welcomed change from the usual milk tea brands and flavours.

▼ Zeng Ji Kitchen 曾记厨房 (FB) is another notable eatery here, for noodles, thick soup and local dishes. I didn't get to dine in, but had a take-out of their specialty scallop rice dumpling and shark skin (not fin) thick soup.

▼ How I started exploring this rustic and charming neighbourhood is thanks to an outlet of inBlooom 印花乐 (web) tucked away in a small lane here. This branch has since closed, and the outlet manager I befriended relocated to a new store at Dadaocheng in Taipei.

▼ Passing inBlooom on the right and walking straight on are more shops and signboards lining the street...

▼ ... and arriving at my bookmarked Yancheng First Market 盐埕第一公有市场.

▼ I enjoy exploring such traditional markets and food streets to have a taste of local life. Here on an empty stomach, I gave myself a visual treat of what was available first (and bought a beverage at the end of the lane).

▼ Decided on something soupy ~

▼ Mushroom & pork thick soup with glass noodles 香菇肉焿加冬粉

▼ Stir-fried greens 烫青菜, a staple with my meals of rice, noodles and thick soup in Taiwan.

▼ Another section - a morning traditional (wet) market selling fresh meat and vegetables.

▼ The lone stall that was opened.

▼ Noodles left to air in the open... swaying slightly in the breeze.

▼ Out on the other end, on to Da Ren Road 大仁路, more shops, popular eateries and milk tea shops.

▼ Bought a beverage from (one of the uncountable top local brands and possibly one of my faves) Chingshin 清心福全 (web) - summer specials featuring Gudetama.

▼ Ordered what was adorably named 隐藏版 ("hidden edition") - essentially a mouthful 珍珠蜂蜜鲜奶普洱 (honey fresh milk pu-er tea with pearls). NTD65 for a very large cup (650ml).
Side note: I love their regular pearl oolong/milk tea and grapefruit yogurt (yakult) too. Check out their online menu for interesting flavours.