August 20, 2023, Pingtung County Magistrate Chou Chun-mi 周春米 specially presented a plaque at the Pingtung County Government to congratulate the Chairman of the Sichong Recreation Agriculture Area Development Association, Lin Gui-fen, and the Executive Director Chen Jing-zi, for their achievements in the 2023 Japan International Tourism Product Design Competition on behalf of the Checheng Township’s Sichong Recreation Agriculture Area.
They received 3 gold medals for the souvenir products: “Sichong Can Be Residents’ Lodge – Can Be Residents Hot Spring Q Rice,” (四重溪可以居民宿-可以居溫泉Q米), “Baishui Yuzi Food Creation Co., Ltd. – Falling Mountain Onion Noodles,” (白水玉子食創有限公司-落山風蔥頭意麵) and “Four Beasts Trading Post – Small Farmer’s Yulai (Tears) Mushroom. 四獸仔交易所-小農雨來菇”.
可以居溫泉Q米 – Can Be Residents Hot Spring Q Rice
County Magistrate Chou Chun-mi 周春米 stated that the Sichong Recreation Agriculture Area is the third leisure agriculture area established within the county. It enjoys a unique geographical advantage with abundant cultural resources in both hot springs and agriculture.
Situated near Kenting National Park, visitors to Sichong can experience not only agricultural tourism and hot spring culture but also purchase local agricultural specialty products and souvenirs, catering to diverse traveler needs. The fact that the leisure agriculture area’s souvenir products received three gold medals in the competition held in Japan is truly commendable!
Falling Mountain Onion Noodles – 落山風蔥頭意麵
This competition was co-hosted by the General Association of Japan International Exchange and the Taiwan Cultural Festival Implementation Committee. It took place at KITTE Marunouchi near Tokyo Station. Dozens of participants and competitors from various countries, such as Taiwan, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Thailand, participated in the event.
Small Farmer’s Yulai Mushroom 小農雨來菇 (you can read about amazing Yulai mushroom here).
The product “Can Stay Hot Spring Q Rice,” which received a gold medal in this competition, uses Kaohsiung’s No. 147 rice. It adheres to eco-friendly cultivation practices without the use of pesticides and is irrigated with mineral-rich underground hot spring water from the Sichong River Basin. The unique 落山風 or downslope wind, n southern Taiwan contributes to the fragrance and quality of the rice and also helps grow onions.
“Falling Mountain Breeze Onion Noodles” incorporates dried onions from Checheng Township, ground into flour, preserving their flavor and nutrition. Handmade and sun-dried noodles retain the onion aroma, making them suitable for both tossed and stir-fried noodles. “Small Farmer Yulai Mushrooms” are grown in the clean waters, fresh air, and warm sunlight of Manzhou Township in Pingtung.
I would like to add here, that Falling Mountain Breeze, is my loose translation of the term 落山風 luò shān fēng, which is a downhill or downslope wind phenomenon in Hengchun Peninsula – and if you want to read more about it, go over here. I just used more nice “fallin mountain breeze”, since downslope wind onion noodles hardly sounds good. 🙂
This pollution-free environment nurtures high-quality raindrop (yulai) mushrooms, rich in nutrients and dietary fiber. They are an excellent choice for healthy cuisine with a crispy and refreshing texture and easy preparation.
These gold medal-winning souvenir products are available for purchase at the Sichong Recreation Agriculture Area Visitor Center.