Fruit Farmers' Home

Review

Fruit Farmers' Home is in Mizhi Village, Nanxi. Smile Taiwan's foothills travel report says the restaurant has been open for nearly thirty years. It began as a local produce collection point where wholesalers ate after picking fruit, until the owner started cooking with local fruit, and it grew into one of Nanxi's best-known restaurants. With mango, star fruit and plums grown all around Nanxi and Yujing, it is a lunch stop for many mountain trips.

Nearly every signature involves fruit: sweet pear with scallops, pineapple braised pork that cuts the richness, black nightshade chicken soup with a wild-greens aroma, and tangy passion fruit shrimp cups. The report says set meals cost NT$480 per person, and two people can taste every dish. Flavours are light overall, using fruit's sweet-sour notes instead of heavy seasoning, and vegetarian options are available.

Diners like the creative mix of local fruit and Taiwanese cooking, the variety, and how it suits family meals with elders; afterwards you can stroll the nearby satoyama learning centre. Complaints: some find it too bland to go with rice, weekend lunches mean crowds and long waits, and the large banquet-hall setting is lively and noisy.

Hours differ by source: the report lists dining from 11:00 to 19:00, while recent data shows about 9:00 to 17:00 (to 18:00 on Sundays, closing earlier on Thursdays), so check first. The booking line is 06-575-0035; reserve for weekends or groups. It is in the hills, so driving is easiest, and there is parking nearby.

It suits families on mountain outings and anyone curious about fruit cuisine. Set meals are best value for two or more, letting you try pear with scallops and pineapple pork at once; then continue to Meiling in Nanxi or Yujing Old Street to round out the day.