Attention all fried food lovers across Taiwan! The annual '2026 Kaohsiung Salted Chicken Carnival' will take place from October 24 to 25, from 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM, at Dream Plaza on the 1st floor of Kaohsiung Far Eastern Department Store. Today (13th), the Kaohsiung City Government Tourism Bureau officially issued a call to renowned fried food brands across Taiwan, inviting specialty salted chicken, creative fried food, unique dining, and beverage brands to join the event in southern Taiwan. Now in its 6th year, the festival centers on the theme of 'Golden Sand Salted Chicken,' challenging vendors to creatively incorporate salted egg yolk into their fried offerings. Around 50 distinctive brands are expected to gather, creating a premier fried food culinary event.

Kaohsiung City Government Tourism Bureau Director Kao Min-Lin stated that Kaohsiung has been leveraging food events to connect with urban tourism, making 'eating delicious food' a key way for visitors to experience the city. In 2026, 57 restaurants in Kaohsiung were selected for the 'Taiwan Michelin Guide,' with 6 earning star ratings, highlighting the city’s diverse and innovative dining scene.

Creative fried dishes featuring salted egg yolk take center stage. Last year’s carnival attracted over 120,000 visitors over two days, boosting sales for participating vendors and surrounding businesses by more than 50%. This year, with 'Golden Sand Salted Chicken' as the creative theme, the event aims to showcase vendors’ skills in ingredient pairing, frying techniques, and seasoning, reinventing the classic salted chicken with new flavors.

The Tourism Bureau notes that brands across Taiwan in fried foods and specialty dining are welcome to participate, provided they are legally registered, have a fixed business location and operating hours, and have completed food business registration and product liability insurance. Each participating vendor must offer at least one limited-edition creative fried item incorporating 'Golden Sand'—salted egg yolk—allowing brands from across the country to bring their signature skills to Kaohsiung and compete in culinary creativity.

In addition to the food market, this year’s event will host the 'Salted Chicken Market Awards,' judged through a dual-track system of expert evaluation and online popularity voting. Criteria include appearance and color, crispiness, seasoning, and creative uniqueness, with awards such as 'Excellence in Flavor,' 'Ultimate Texture,' 'Artisan Quality,' and 'Golden Sand Creative Flavor.'

The Tourism Bureau emphasizes that the competition not only fosters exchange among vendors and highlights artisan skills but also allows consumers to sample specialty fried foods from across Taiwan and discover their personal 'Golden Sand Champion.' The event will further expand synergies between food, commercial districts, and tourist attractions. During the event, the Sanduo Shopping District, surrounding department stores, and specialty shops will collaborate on co-branded promotions and shopping campaigns, encouraging visitors to extend their experience from the venue to nearby commercial areas and tourist spots. This transforms the 'Salted Chicken Journey' from a single food event into a comprehensive urban tourism experience—'Eat, Shop, Explore Kaohsiung'—continuously driving foot traffic, spending, and brand exposure.

Applications for the '2026 Kaohsiung Salted Chicken Carnival' will close on August 30, with online registration required. Selected participants will be announced after qualification review. The Tourism Bureau sincerely invites renowned salted chicken shops, creative fried food brands, and specialty dining and beverage vendors from across Taiwan to apply, bringing their unique expertise to Kaohsiung and challenging for the title of 'Golden Sand Champion.'

Latest updates can be found on the Kaohsiung Travel Website, official Facebook and Instagram pages, and the 'Kaohsiung GO!' app. Application URL: https://forms.gle/472UMvHPjKqPCiEk6

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  • Source: PR Times
  • Category: Event