Navigating the Political Landscape of Taiwan through Food: From Bento Bowls to General Tso's Chicken

Indigenous chefs in Taiwan are working to make sure their traditional food is represented and celebrated. Aeles, a Taiwanese chef from the Rukai tribe, is proud to serve millet dumplings, a sacred staple of her tribe, in her restaurant. She wants to share her tribe's food and culture with others, especially as Taiwan's identity and independence are being challenged by China. Another chef, Alex Peng, combines indigenous cuisine with cooking techniques he learned from Chinese, Italian, and French cuisines at his restaurant, Akame. These indigenous chefs are preserving their tribe's food and culture while contributing to Taiwan's diverse culinary scene. The article also highlights how Taiwan's food culture is influenced by various waves of people who have migrated to the island over the years, including Chinese immigrants from different provinces and Japanese colonizers. Food has become a vital medium for forging a common Taiwanese identity amidst the island's complex history and political situation.