Gu Show-faye, Minister of the Hakka Affairs Council, visited the Arts and Culture Plaza in Xinpu Township, Hsinchu County on November 9 to attend the Ban Tiau Festival alongside Town Mayor Chen Ying-lou; Chang Chi-ming, Deputy Director of the Transportation and Tourism Department, Hsinchu County Government; other county government officers; and a multitude of local residents. Minister Gu said that despite northern and southern Hakkas have different eating habits and even names for flat rice noodles, ban tiau and mien pa ban, these are all our childhood memories, part of our cultural legacy. She therefore expressed gratitude to all Hakka people for keeping the “taste memory” alive.
Minister Gu also pointed out that despite flavor and seasoning varies with each region, one thing never changes: Hakka people everywhere are friendly, warm, and hospitable. Wherever you hear someone speak Hakka, they’ll treat you caringly—that’s our cultural legacy, too. Moreover, Hsinpu Township Mayor Chen extended his thanks to HAC for supporting the Ban Tiau Festival and local construction projects. Minister Gu replied that these are the fruits of collaboration between the central and local governments. HAC’s chief duties are to empower townships comprising Hakka villages and their residents to transmit Hakka culture, satisfy the needs of village locals, give back to villages, and lead everyone to jointly promote local development of Hakka villages.
The Hsinchu County Government assembled renowned flat rice noodle eateries from Xinpu Township to offer specialty ban tiau dishes at the festival. Other highlights included performances by community groups and clubs, special deals, ban tiau making demonstrations, and a market. Visitors had the opportunity to learn about the production of ban tiau and food safety knowledge, coming closer to the rice food culture at Xinpu’s Hakka villages. Among the distinguished guests at the bustling festival were Legislator Hsu Hsin-ying, Legislator Fan Yun’s Assistant Lee Mei-yen, Hsinchu County Councilors Lu Wan-ting and Fan Yue-fu, and representatives from Xinpu Township Office and other organizations.
In addition, Xinpu Township Office released a Xinpu Township Rice Food Map, helping market 43 local ban tiau restaurants. At noon, Minister Gu made time to visit an old ban tiau eatery and try their beloved dishes, supporting Hakka ban tiau culture through concrete actions. She also called on local residents and visitors to explore and cherish local restaurants, savoring Hakka village’s most iconic flavors.
