Kaokeng Beef Jerky Store

Review

Kaokeng is Kinmen's best-known beef jerky brand, and its birthplace is Kaokeng in Jinsha Township. According to media reports, founder Chen Ya-shang was born and raised in Kinmen, apprenticed at a Sichuan restaurant in Taipei after his military service, then returned home and in 1973 opened a canteen below the Kaokeng army camp. His own beef noodle recipe made it famous; he later introduced whole-beef banquets and then turned the beef into portable jerky flavored with Kinmen kaoliang liquor, gradually building a brand that sells millions of packs a year.

The signature is kaoliang liquor beef jerky. Travel guides mention that the jerky is seasoned with traditional herbal ingredients handed down in the family and with Kinmen's home-style kaoliang liquor. Diners describe a light kaoliang aroma blending with the beef and a chewy, firm texture that pairs well with tea or drinks. There are also original and spicy flavors, so you can choose to suit whoever you are buying for.

Reviewers often say that visiting Kinmen without buying Kaokeng is like not having come at all, treating it as one of Taiwan's most representative gifts. Buying at the store means a full range and a chance to feel the atmosphere of the brand's birthplace. On the downside, some find it pricey and point out that it is now sold online and in big retailers, so a special trip is not essential; others prefer softer jerky and find this one a bit tough.

According to travel guides the store opens roughly 9:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., but sources and map listings differ and it may close early on some days, so check before you go. The same address also has the brand's beef restaurant, which takes reservations, so book ahead if you want beef noodles or a whole-beef meal. An online reference price is about NT$185 for a pack of kaoliang liquor beef jerky; the store's own labels are what count.

It suits travelers looking for a classic Kinmen gift, especially for elders and friends who like snacks to go with drinks. Try samples at the store to compare flavors, then buy some original and some kaoliang flavor. If time allows, reserve a table next door for a bowl of beef noodles to taste the story of a brand that started with beef noodles.