Liao Rong-Chuan Rice Cake at Su'ao Harbour Temple

Review

Liao Rong-Chuan Rice Cake at Su'ao Harbour Temple is on Jiangxia Road in Su'ao, right by Nanfang'ao fishing harbour near the temple square, and Supertaste includes it whenever it covers food in Su'ao and Nanfang'ao. Reports say it has been running for nearly seventy years; the owner began making rice cake at seventeen and is now in his eighties, and the show's host describes himself as a regular of many years.

The signature migao uses glutinous rice steamed so the grains stay separate, chewy but not sticky, with a rich rice aroma. It is topped with savoury braised pork sauce and a layer of tuna floss, with a few slices of cucumber to cut the richness. The host especially likes the sweet-savoury braising sauce with bits of fat, which pairs well with the crunchy cucumber. For soup, bitter melon pork rib soup is recommended, the melon braised until soft in a mellow broth; fish ball soup and radish soup are also available. The sources list no prices, but diners call it very affordable; check on site.

Fans praise the rice cake and fish ball soup, the low prices, friendly staff and fast service, and note there is a customer toilet. Complaints include queues at mealtimes, and some foreign visitors say it tastes more like braised pork rice than the soy-fried sticky rice they expected, and staff speak little English, so ordering may involve pointing.

Hours are roughly 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., closed Mondays and Tuesdays; check before you go. There are queues at peak times, so avoid high noon if you can. It makes an easy stop after seeing Nanfang'ao harbour or a seafood meal. There is more parking around the harbour, though you may need to circle on busy holidays.

It suits travellers visiting Nanfang'ao who want cheap local food, and families after a simple meal. First-timers should order a bowl of rice cake with bitter melon pork rib soup, adding fish ball soup if hungry; chilli fans can add a little of the table chilli sauce.