踏溯台南

踏溯台南

文學院 通識教育課程

Folk Delicacy around Minor West Gate Area

Route Introduction

 

Ē-Tāi-Tō

Ē-Tāi-Tō has been an important street since the Qing Dynasty. Unique food
and snacking culture formed here because of its proximity to the harbor and
popular restaurants.

On Bao'An Road, Central West District, Tainan

 

   The name of "Ē-Tāi-Tō" in Tainan comes from the Liang-Huang Temple at the intersection of Fu-Qian Road and Xi- Men Road. It worships the same deity – Bao Sheng Da Di (God of Health) with Dai-De-Gong Temple near Jen-Bei- Fang (Xin-Ji Temple). To distinguish the two, this one in the south was called Ē (the lower/under) - Tāi-Tō. The same distinguishing method can be observed with Hsuen-Yuan-Jing Temple (Upper-earth-god) near Jen- Bei-Fang and Tzong-Lu-Jing Temple (Under-earth-god).
 
   When Tai-Jiang lagoon still had its navigating functions, "Ē-Tāi-Tō" was the estuary of Fu'An Creek. After the Xiao-Xi-Men Circular Intersection was removed in 1970, many eateries moved west with Bao'An Temple. May found many eateries put the words "Ē-Tāi-Tō" in front of their names in those blocks south of Fu- Qian Road and west of Xi-Men Road, that is why the significance of "Ē-Tāi- Tō" expanded to cover today's Bao'An Temple and Nan Chang.

   Although there are no renowned ancient heritages in this area and draws fewer tourists, it still fills a rich ambiance of local people's everyday lives . Many Tainan snacks and eateries have been here for decades, and old stores moved here on Bao'An Road between the old "Ē-Tāi-Tō" and Nan Chang. Some have been run for three generations. These are the stores and vendors of local Tainan people frequent with their families.