Tainan Habits You’ll Either Love or Laugh At

There is one city in Taiwan, and only one, where people regularly add sugar to their cooking: Tainan, my hometown. If you’ve ever been there, you’ve probably noticed two things. First, everything tastes a little sweeter than you expected. Second, people ride scooters absolutely everywhere, even if it is just around the corner to buy breakfast.

As someone who grew up in Tainan, none of this ever seemed strange to me. That is, until I moved to Taipei. I remember the first time I ordered braised pork rice, I froze mid-chew after taking a bite. Something was missing. The familiar hint of sweetness just wasn’t there. That’s when it hit me. The food in Taipei wasn’t wrong. I had simply been raised on Tainan-style cooking. And in Tainan, we add sugar to just about everything. 

It’s not just about desserts. We add sugar to soups, to stir-fried vegetables, even to dishes that others swear should taste only savory. To the rest of Taiwan, it might seem like too much. But to us, it tastes like home. Historically, Tainan was a major center for sugar production. Sugar wasn’t just accessible. It was everywhere. Over time, it found its way into our recipes and became a symbol of comfort and tradition. It’s not just about flavor. It’s about memory, warmth, and a touch of sweetness in everyday life. 

Another thing you’ll quickly notice in Tainan is how people ride scooters everywhere. And I really mean everywhere. Around here, walking is almost a last resort. Need to grab a sandwich from the shop across the street? Take the scooter. Going to your friend’s house one block away? Still take the scooter. That’s just how things work here. And to be fair, there are reasons for it. 

First of all, sidewalks in Tainan often exist more in theory than in practice. They’re usually blocked by parked scooters, taken over by vendors, or simply too narrow or broken to use comfortably. Walking in a straight line for more than a few seconds can feel like navigating an obstacle course. Then there’s the weather. The sun in Tainan can be intense, especially in summer. A short walk can leave you hot, sweaty, and regretting your life choices. And let’s not forget public transport, which is available but not exactly convenient. Buses can be slow and unpredictable. When jumping on a scooter gets you there faster and with less effort, why not? 

Naturally, all of this changes how we use public space. What people in other cities might think of as a sidewalk is often used here for scooter parking or for setting up food stalls. Sometimes both at once. Walking in Tainan takes a bit of skill and patience. But when you’ve grown up here, you don’t even think about it. Before I moved to Taipei, I had never questioned the need to weave around scooters and snack carts while walking. It was just everyday life. 

What I find amusing is that even though we zip around on scooters and the roads are always buzzing with motion, life in Tainan itself moves at a slower pace. People are rarely in a rush. Conversations are unhurried. Meals are long and relaxed. There’s a kind of calmness in the way people go about their day. The sweetness in our food reflects something deeper - a mellow attitude, a softer rhythm, a way of living that feels unbothered by the fast lane. 

So yes, we ride scooters even if we’re only going a hundred meters. And yes, our soup might taste like someone stirred in a spoonful of syrup. But these things are more than just habits. They’re part of who we are. They’re what give Tainan its unique character. 

Next time you visit and wonder why your noodles taste a little sweet or why someone just started their scooter to go one block, don’t be surprised. You’re getting a taste of our everyday life. And honestly, it’s pretty sweet.