Anping Old Street carries two distinct smells: one sharp and briny — that's the shrimp paste. The other is the clean sweetness of fish paste — that's the freshly made fish cake. Both come from Anping's fishing port tradition. They're sold just steps apart, but what they deliver to the palate is two entirely different worlds.
What Are Anping Shrimp Paste and Fish Cake
Anping shrimp paste is made by grinding fresh shrimp, then fermenting it with salt. The texture is thick and smooth, the color pinkish or orange-red, the taste deeply savory and pungent — a small amount goes a long way to amplify flavor. Common uses include direct dipping or as a seasoning condiment at Tainan seafood restaurants. It is a distinctive harbor condiment unique to Anping. Anping fish cake (similar to chikuwa) is made from fresh fish paste, seasoned and shaped, then steamed or pan-fried. The texture is springy with a clean fish fragrance. Though sharing origins with Japanese chikuwa craftsmanship, longtime local Anping producers have maintained their own formulas and hand-production methods.
Anping is Tainan's historic port district, already an important trading harbor during the Dutch colonial era, with a long fishing tradition. Both shrimp paste and fish cake are extensions of Anping's fishing culture in food form. Together with Anping shrimp rolls (a fried snack — another Tainan specialty), they make up the three traditional Anping Old Street foods, though shrimp rolls are fried snacks, shrimp paste is a condiment, and fish cake is a processed fishery product — three entirely different ways to eat. Several traditional shrimp paste shops line Anping Old Street, some with tasting samples. Traditional fish cake shops also offer on-site tasting and takeaway.
How to Eat It Like a Local
Local Knowledge
Background
- Anping shrimp paste is made by grinding fresh shrimp and fermenting with salt — a distinctive Anping harbor condiment commonly used as a flavoring in local seafood restaurants. It is a completely different product from shrimp rolls (which are a fried snack).
- Anping fish cake is a traditional fishery processing product. Several long-established fish cake producers line Anping Old Street, some maintaining hand production. On-site tasting and purchasing are available.
- Both shrimp paste and fish cake are extensions of Anping's fishing culture in food form, reflecting Anping's industrial history as Tainan's ancient port.
Visitor Tips
- Anping Old Street is densely crowded with tourists on weekends. Weekday visits are recommended — tasting at individual shops is more relaxed and vendors have more time to explain their products.
- Once opened, shrimp paste must be refrigerated. In hot weather, fermentation accelerates — after purchasing in summer, refrigerate as soon as possible.
- Anping Old Street can be combined with a half-day itinerary that includes Erkunshen Fort, Anping Fort, and Anping Tree House — all within comfortable walking distance.
Source: Anping District fishery processing industry records and Anping Old Street traditional food field notes. Photos to be replaced with Dio's own shots.