2026 Taiwan Culinary Expo Pingtung Pavilion Opens, Showcasing Southern Ingredients and Artisan Creativity

The 2026 Taiwan Culinary Expo opened today (31st) at Taipei World Trade Center Hall 1, with the Pingtung County Government launching its 'Pingtung Delights' pavilion themed around 'Terroir and Fermentation.' Six distinctive Pingtung brands—'Hengchun Yifang Seaweed Sauce & Diantian,' 'Aju Ma Rou Rou Wanliuan Pork Feet,' 'Donggang Weiyi Songpin Specialty Store,' 'Liji Rock Sugar Duck,' 'Fuxing Tang,' and 'Tai-Shu'—were invited to set up booths, bringing Pingtung’s farm-to-table food culture into the exhibition hall through specialty agricultural and fishery products, brand showcases, and live cooking demonstrations. The opening day drew a large crowd, with lively tasting, interaction, and shopping activities.

Designed with the concept of a traditional yet modern southern market, the Pingtung Pavilion connects local producers and brands across the county, showcasing signature products such as soy sauce, sesame oil, and sweet rice wine. By blending tradition with innovation, it offers visitors a comprehensive view of the diverse flavors nurtured by Pingtung’s mountains, sea, and plains. The exhibition space integrates sales and experiential zones, allowing attendees to directly engage with the depth and uniqueness of Pingtung’s food culture.

At the opening ceremony, Michelin-recognized chef Wu Ding-You presented a French-style interpretation using Pingtung’s Thai shrimp, onions, and mangoes, creatively transforming local produce into refined dishes that captivated onlookers. His meticulous plating and flavor pairing highlighted the freshness and versatility of Pingtung ingredients. President Lai Qing-De and Minister of Transportation Chen Shih-Kai attended the event to officially launch the Pingtung Pavilion.

Throughout the exhibition, the pavilion will host a 'Chef’s Pingtung Flavor' live cooking series, featuring rotating chefs from the Chinese Culinary Exchange Association—Chefs Luo Jin-Han, Hsu Wen-Hsien, Chen Yong-Xiao, and Tsai Chen-Jung—each interpreting Pingtung’s flavors through different culinary styles. Additionally, the 'Pingtung Tasting Privilege' offers a reservation-only dining experience, with limited-edition menus crafted by Chef Ryker of The Kinfolk and Chef Tsai Ming-Han of Ah-Han Private Kitchen, guiding guests to discover Pingtung through taste.

Beyond cooking demos, the pavilion includes nutritionist talks by Xiao La Jiao, stage games, parent-child DIY workshops, spending-based raffles, and social media check-in gifts. These activities allow visitors to deepen their understanding of Pingtung’s agriculture, fisheries, and local culture while enjoying the exhibition and tastings.

Brand representatives enthusiastically introduced Pingtung’s high-quality local food specialties. (Photo credit: Pingtung County Government Department of Transportation and Tourism)

The Pingtung County Government emphasized that the region’s unique natural environment—where mountains meet the sea—has fostered a distinctive culinary culture. Through the Taiwan Culinary Expo platform, they aim to raise awareness of Pingtung’s ingredients, support local brands, and encourage more people to visit and experience the charm of Pingtung’s flavors firsthand.

The 2026 Taiwan Culinary Expo runs from today through August 3 at Taipei World Trade Center Hall 1. The Pingtung Pavilion warmly welcomes visitors nationwide to come and savor the flavors and warmth of southern Taiwan.

The government reminds travelers to always choose legally registered accommodations to ensure safety and quality. Avoid unlicensed lodging options. For the latest tourism updates, visit the 'Pingtung Tourism Website' (https://www.ipingtung.com), follow 'Pingtung GO Fun' and 'Pingtung GO Transit' on Facebook, Instagram, and Threads, and download the 'Pingtung GO Fun' and 'Pingtung Bus' apps for real-time event information.