Taiwan is one of the countries which is high on the list and a little bit under the radar for the halal market. As a Muslim travel, I did not expect I would really enjoy going on eating spree in Taiwan. And here is my story.
China Airlines Flight Experience
From KLIA to Taoyuan International Airport, Taipei, we travelled with China Airlines C1-722. I had never tried the airlines and the services on board were full services you could expect from any full services airlines. The China Airlines plane that flies between Taipei and Kuala Lumpur is a very new and flamboyant Boeing 777-300 ER. China Airlines had indeed surprised me with good ambience, above than average in-flight food and latest in-flight entertainment.
The flight from Kuala Lumpur to Taipei took almost 5 hours. By the time we arrived, it was already night time in Taipei. At the airport, I grabbed the opportunity to buy a local sim card for TWD300 (RM40) for 5 days. Then we ambushed the 7-E to pack some food and drinks to eat on the bus while travelling to Toucheng Leisure Farm where we stayed for the night.
In Taiwan, there are hundreds, if not thousands, leisure farms. Leisure farms though sound like our Malaysian homestays, they are larger in scale and sometimes can be as big as a resort. The leisure farm concept is to be able to provide to the customers the insight of agriculture and lifestyle in the countryside. Some of the leisure farms have innovated to include halal food as part of their services to attract Muslim visitors. It was on this very objective that our presence was necessary to see for ourselves the extent of halal food services provided by selected leisure farms.
TOUCHENG LEISURE FARM
Toucheng Leisure Farm is huge in size which approximately occupies 120 hectares area. It is surrounded by natural resources and blends in perfectly with nature. When I opened the window from the balcony first thing in the morning, I could feel the crisp fresh air of the surrounding. The theme of the farm is mainly on rural life where the guests will be exposed to farm production and development of farm life.
Toucheng Leisure Farm is one of the many leisure farms that has been approved by The Chinese Muslim Association as a Muslim Friendy Restaurant. Since Toucheng Leisure Farm practices different cookware and serving plates for their halal customers, the halal food will be served a la carte and not in the buffet style.
Note how every plate and bowl bear the word “Halal’ for easier Halal management.
The tapioca porridge is a must try.
Apparently, the Taiwanese are so much like Malaysians that they eat rice during breakfast. We ate like a king for breakfast. The vegetables were so fresh and crunchy even though they were cooked as simple as stir-fried and of course, I ended taking a lot of vegetables at breakfast.
After having our breakfast, it was time to burn some calories by walking around the farm. It was a guided walk along the river with so many butterflies flying around you. Taocheng Leisure Farm has levelled up to a near paradise garden with the abundance of butterflies. Along the route, the guide who has a mixed parentage of Swedish and Taiwanese showed us the plants and flowers which could be eaten and used for other purposes.
Such as the leaf that can be folded into a headgear.
We were also introduced to rice culture in Taiwan. The rice culture makes me feel so much at home. The guests can learn hands-on experiences about the life of a farmer from planting rice seedlings, harvesting, threshing, husking, sun drying and storing rice grains in a traditional Chinese way. We even had the chance to visit a traditional farmer’s house!
There were myriads of activities to choose from such as animal feeding, t-shirt paintings and picking vegetables.
By the time we were back at the dining area, it was lunch time and sumptuous food was served. It was apparent that the trip would be an extraordinary food trip throughout.
Last but not least, I had a comfortable sleep at Taocheng Leisure Farm’s double room. The room was prepared and furnished with sejadah, prayers time and prayer direction signs. How thoughtful!
How to Reach Toucheng Leisure Farm
From Taipei Train Station to Toucheng Leisure Farm by MRT and bus: Take the MRT from Taipei Station to Nangang Exhibition Centre Station (20 mins), then take Kuo-guang bus (No. 1877) from Nangang Exhibition Centre Station to Wu Shih Harbour Station (50min), from which you can call and make arrangement for pick up. Otherwise, you can take the train from Taipei Station to Toucheng Station (90 min). From the airport, take Kuo-guang bus (No. 1843) in the airport to Nangang Exhibition Centre (80min). Then take Kuo-gang bus (No. 1877) to Wu Shih Harbour Station (50min)
Taocheng Leisure Farm
Address: 125, Keng Hsin Road, Toucheng Township, Yilan County, Taiwan
Tel: +886-3-977-2222,997-200
Fax: +886-3-977-8688
www.tcfarm.com.tw