Restaurant’s Crops (伏見稻荷生機園地)

Izel Parada

Another interesting aspect of the restaurant is that within the same area, small tomatoes are cultivated and also passion fruits, which in my country we turned them into juice, but here in Taiwan is eaten as a dessert and turns into drinks too, during the harvest time are served for consumption of customers.

张 美 莺 owner, manager and Phoebe’s mother, is responsible for making it possible to enjoy these delicious vegetables and fruits. She arrives early every morning to take care, water and monitor their crops; it is also the only one in charge of collecting them at harvest time.

Unfortunately during the period we were there, the fruits could not be harvested yet, so we did not have the chance to try them, but to tell from the pictures they have on their Facebook page, the look they have makes me feel “mouth-watered”, it really looks very juicy and nutritious.

A very important thing to note about the restaurant is that it is surrounded by rice fields, which gives a very special feeling, as the restaurant is located in an area near downtown, not too far from the bustle of the city. But being surrounded by rice fields, the feeling of leaving far away the busyness of the main streets makes you feel that you are in a very peaceful place, once you enter it is like being in a field with nothing to disturb you. The feeling is quite unique!

Menu at Rice and Lotus – Vitality Garden (伏見稻荷生機園地)

Izel Parada

In this article I want to address the most important about the restaurant, what it gives life to it and its main objective as well, the restaurant menu!

Having spent 26 days in the restaurant, where I ate twice a day, I had a fabulous experience at that time to be fully feed with fresh fruits and vegetables, and without any additives.

As it was commented in interviews that we had in repeatedly occasions with Phoebe, the main goal of the restaurant is to offer organic foods, without adding any processing or additives, also to try to offer to the public the true taste of them, not adding salts, oils or other type of powder that can modify the original taste.

The main ingredients are bought regularly throughout the week, so they are fresh ingredients, the suppliers of certain products are local farmers who come to leave them products to the restaurant directly, others are purchased directly in local markets around the restaurant, and even the desserts, cookies and breads are made in the restaurant on daily basis in the morning, so it can be served recently made to the public.

Similarly, retail organic products such as rice, prunes, fruits and vegetables are offered to the public, so the customer can be able to buy and take after having a delicious, nutritious and healthy food!

As for me, now that I'm home, I noticed the difference on being feed with processed and unhealthy food, so I'm currently in the fierce battle to continue this good habit; I am doing my own food at home and I am avoiding to go eating out, which is a little more expensive, but I know that doing this I can benefit my health!

Concepts and Objectives (概念 與目標)

Written by Izel Parada

Reading the restaurant’s Facebook page, which incidentally was the only internet source which they had for their business promotion, my partner and I realized that it lacked important information to attract customers.

Having said that we took on the task of making a couple of questions to Phoebe, (Owner’s daughter) trying to understand the concept about the Short, Medium and Long Term of their business, with this information they can incorporate into their online pages and the client can be familiar with and also have a broader concept of the line of business.

Here are the questions:

1.)    When this restaurant does started operations?

Since February of 2013 the restaurant started operations, before the area was used to grow rice, fruits and vegetables, then with the purpose of building a restaurant with an ecological theme was carried out by the transformation process and turn it into an organic garden.

2.)    What was the purpose to open this restaurant?

We have a natural ecological environment, where customers can relax and recreation activities in a spacious environment. The distance from the city of Taizhong to the restaurant is short, you can drive a car or take a taxi, which would not delay too long in coming and of course also has a parking area.

3.) What are your short, medium and long term goals?

1.-Short -term operation is to operate in a rural landscape, with a special appreciation for the landscape, where you can feel the embrace of nature.

2.-Medium term: Allow clients to experience the process of growing fruits and vegetables and know the secret on how to produce plants, vegetables and fruits in nature.

3.-Long-term: Continuing to provide the customer with the knowledge of the Ecological Farm.

4.) What makes your menu special?

In the preparation of our dishes we like to keep the original flavor of each, so you use less oil and spices in the preparation of each meal, also all foods are completely natural, without any additives that may be harmful to health.

5.) What is the contribution you are making to your city and your customers?

1.-We offer a restaurant with a rural environment where they can carry out activities comforting, allowing both adults and children relax, going to a restaurant with a large natural area with plenty rich ecology.

2.-We like to leave the customer in the dining room by themselves , to allow them to absorb the original process of all food, so they can experience the processes carried out on farms.

Rice and Lotus – Vitality Garden (伏見稻荷生機園地)

Written by Izel Parada

Rice and Lotus – Vitality Garden (伏見稻荷生機園地), presented on its Facebook page a brief introduction about the services offered, could be translated literally as follows: "Welcome to Vitality Garden, where you can enjoy a delicious, nutritious and filling lunch accompanied by fresh fruits, also can experience recreational activities in a natural and ecological environment.

The restaurant is operating six days a week excluding Tuesdays, which is the day off, is open from 11:30 hrs. to 14:00 hrs. and after 17:30 hrs. to 21:00 hrs. As the restaurant is recently opened and the line of business is relatively new, it usually closes doors at 18:00 as long as there are no customers, just as they make reservations for tea time, between 14:00 hrs. and 15:00 hrs.

In Taiwan, there are more than enough restaurants to go and eat, eating out is common for most foreigners but this custom is however, peculiar to the Taiwanese. Is literally practiced on daily basis, representing convenience for it and not to mention that eating out is amazing for the inhabitants of this island, consuming three meals in this way at a low price, because even is cheaper than cooking at home.

So, why Rice and Lotus – Vitality Garden (伏 见 稻荷 生机 园地) is a restaurant that differs from others?

• The difference of this restaurant among others lies in several elements, mainly the location of the restaurant is the most important, as it is located on the outskirts of the city, but in a few minutes available to the public then, once you cross a small stretch of road that separates it from the city which enters into a natural and relaxed place unique in its kind in Taiwan, as most of the restaurants are located in the busy areas of cities.
• It offers a "Buffet" (all you can eat) service for two hours of vegetarian food, including soups, fruits and desserts, also if the client wishes it is offered “A la carte Menu”.
• The spacious comfortable place and the atmosphere is conducive for all kinds of events, from business meetings, weddings, birthdays, and to sporting events.

These are some of the elements that make this beautiful place an exceptional place in the heart of Taiwan!

Internship in Taiwan

My name is Izel Parada, I'm Honduran and I have lived here for four years in the city of Taipei where I am currently studying International Business and Trade Program at Ming Chuan University.

After four years of first landed on this island 台湾 (Taiwan - Taiwan Republic of China) I decided to take advantage of all the opportunities presented to explore. The adventure in this time is dedicated to Taizhong, the third largest city in this small island.

Through the Volunteer Internship Program of Agro-tourism for International Students organized by Taiwan Leisure Agriculture Association and supervised by The Council of Agriculture Executive Yuan, was achieved a contact with a family owner of this restaurant in Taizhong, who agreed to receive me and my partner in their new project, to exchange experiences and help them to promote this new Agro-tourism proposal that the Taiwanese government is encouraging.

On August 5, I started this new adventure; I arrived at the High Speed Train Station at Taizhong City at 17:00 hrs. local time , after waiting a couple of minutes  Phoebe , the daughter of the owner arrived to pick me up to take me to the restaurant whose name is 伏 见 稻荷 生机 园地, (Fujian dao he sheng ji  yuan di). 

The February 14th of 2013, the  “Rice and Lotus- Vitality Garden”  opened its doors to customers with a new proposed service area , here is served “All You Can Eat” vegetarian food especially , however they also serve red and white meats and seafood a la carte.

Sanyi: five super Sanyi-lifting reason to visit it

by Nannakorn Santita

I took the train around 3 hours from Taipei to Sanyi, the small town located in Northern Taiwan at Miaoli County. I can see the scenery of mountain, canal, agriculture and simply lifestyle of people there.

The Railway

The Taiwan Railway’s Old Mountain Line which was constructed since 1908 with Japanese style. Nowadays, it was not in operation but the Miaoli County Government designated it to offer visitors as a county-level historic site and developed this track as a local industry. There is magnificent scenery of mountains and forests, enriched cultural tribes with long history.

Wood Sculpture

When I arrived, what I can notice about Sanyi is there are many shops selling wood stuff. Actually, Sanyi is well known internationally. This place is annually held International Woodcarving Art Festival which is one of Taiwan's most important cultural events and highlighting works of masters from around the world.

Cycling Highway

If you love cycling, this town is really suitable for you. It’s a good idea to use a cycling way for sightseeing around the town which follows the energy conservation. Moreover, visitors can see the wonderful scenery of the flowering fields, leisure farms, fishing ports or special experiences through the high way.

Farming Village

During the way within Sanyi, I noticed about Sanyi’s agricultural along with the road, in the people house area even just small, but I love that. There are many agricultural farms which offered visitors to visit and experience countryside life style.

Delicacies

Sanyi has a very famous traditional Hakka cuisine, oily, savory, and salty which you can easily find it in the town with reasonable price. Furthermore, you can find variety kinds of the local food which are very attractive as well. I highly recommend trying local food in Sanyi and you will love.

Experienced art work in Shan Ban Ciao

Written by Nannakorn Santita,
Edited by TLAA

My volunteering at Shan Ban Ciao had been passed so fast within 2 weeks. I have a good memories and new friends. I had imagined about farming before I will be at Shan Ban Ciao, but when I arrived everything seems so different from what I thought.

San Ban Ciao is the traditional painting Mask Museum. It’s so simply and classic place. Visitors can go there and pay for a visit 50 NTD per person. They can choose some favorite god mask style which made from wood, paint it and take it back home as a souvenir. There are over thousand mask painting work is shown. Visitors can take a looks the big masks’ decoration on the wall, enjoy the natural scenery around Shan Ban Ciao.

At San Ban Ciao, they taught me how to paint the mask like start with painting from light to dark color, how to put coating to make mask more beautiful and durable, how to flaming and others. Not only that, but also had a chance to meet and taking care of the tourists. 

Before going back, I had a chance to paint my own bundle, mask and then take it back as souvenirs. Moreover, very big chance to paint BIG face to be memory for our visiting. My friend and I took around 4 days for painting the Ravana’s face. Also, we made some video clip to introduce our art work.

Take a chance to visit Shan Ban Ciao and see our art work!