28/04/2026
On Fuguo Road in Zuoying, Kaohsiung, there is a quiet and refined restaurant called XianTaoSu. When guests step inside, the space feels calm and balanced, like a piece of music set to the right rhythm. A warm and steady atmosphere fills the room. From the kitchen, soft aromas drift through the air. Fresh vegetables, herbs, sun-dried sweetness, and light roasted notes slowly open on the palate, as if each ingredient is telling its own story.
Each dish feels carefully shaped by time. The chef selects ingredients with care and controls the heat with precision. The flavours unfold in clear layers. Slow-cooked vegetables bring out natural sweetness. Sun-dried cauliflower and mushrooms release deep, rich aromas. Gently dried leafy greens keep their crisp texture and herbal notes. A brief moment of high heat adds a touch of roasted depth and surprise. With every bite, different textures appear, like soft, mellow, lightly charred, creating a long and gentle finish.
The soups feel like a quiet moment of reflection. The broth is clear and light, sweet but never heavy. Each sip carries a smooth blend of vegetables, herbs, and mushrooms. The flavour does not rely on strong seasoning. Instead, it grows slowly, shaped by time and patience. The warmth and layers of the broth create a calm and complete taste, steady yet full of subtle movement.
Every dish on the table carries the feeling of the season. The chef adjusts the menu with seasonal ingredients, so each visit feels fresh. Vegetables, soy-based elements, mushrooms, and lightly sweet seasonal fruits all show different characters through different techniques. Slow cooking brings depth. Grilling adds energy. Baking gives warmth and sweetness. Fermentation adds softness and balance. These flavours overlap like gentle scenes in motion.
At XianTaoSu, every meal feels like a slow walk through daily life. Lunch sets feel light and thoughtful. Evening shared dishes feel generous yet refined. Each plate becomes a small ritual, inviting guests to pause, slow down, and enjoy the moment. The taste on the table is not only about food. It is about aroma, texture, and temperature coming together, turning comfort into something you can savour.
Chef Chen You-Ming blends the warmth of southern Taiwanese home cooking with Western techniques. His careful control of heat and strict choice of ingredients allow vegetables to show their true character. Sun-dried cauliflower gains a deeper, more rounded tone. Mushrooms, roasted at high heat, release rich and satisfying aromas. Each change in flavour feels like a small and pleasant surprise.
Every gathering at the restaurant feels gently held by this refined atmosphere. Whether friends meet or families come together, the rhythm of the dishes encourages people to slow down, breathe deeply, and enjoy each layer of flavour. Natural sweetness from vegetables, soft herbal notes, and light roasted touches create a quiet sense of ritual. They remind guests that simplicity can be satisfying, and layers can bring a sense of fullness.
Even the simplest ingredients can show beauty and vitality through careful cooking and thoughtful pairing. XianTaoSu is more than a dining experience. It reflects a way of living. Through heat, aroma, and taste, it offers a sense of calm elegance and ease. Each bite brings a gentle happiness, like a soft light blooming on the tongue. The dishes unfold like a slow piece of music. Vegetables, herbs, sun-dried and roasted notes woven together. They feel delicate yet expressive, simple yet deeply satisfying.
With this quiet dedication, XianTaoSu has quietly found its way into the Michelin Guide, becoming a subtle highlight in Kaohsiung’s plant-based dining landscape.
Address: No. 220, Fuguo Rd, Zuoying District, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan 81358
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