Title: Take the Time Traveler: Encounter the resilient and humane Taiwan of 1950 at the Taichung Municipal Center Department Store!

#MulticulturalTaiwaninthe1950s
Entering the "Food Republic Station" at Far Eastern Department Store in Taichung, one is greeted not by the bustle of a modern food court but by the memories of a bygone era. The vintage blue tram sits quietly, as if about to transport one back to the 1950s, before Taiwan's economic takeoff—a time of multiculturalism and hard work.
This journey stretches from food to history. Sesame oil chicken and oyster omelets beside a red brick stove represent the subsistence and perseverance of the local people. Opposite, the stall boasts newly arrived beef noodles from Mainland China. The encounter of these two distinct culinary cultures on the street corner is a vivid reflection of the great integration of postwar Taiwanese society.
Looking around, one discovers the pervasive traces of hard work and ingenuity: old-fashioned cargo tricycles, the mainstays of street vendors and freight transport at the time, carried daily transactions and the start of the economy, reflecting the hard work and resilience of people in a time of scarcity.
The modern legacy of the Japanese colonial era is deeply embedded in the city's fabric. From the design of the tram cars to the wooden trusses of the old roofs, these are fundamental symbols of Taiwan's modernity. The grocery store is plastered with Japanese-style advertisements like those for "Ichibanji," interspersed with promotional materials from the Republican era, presenting a unique landscape of cultural transformation.
This isn't just a dining space; it's a living theater that condenses the three elements of "local," "Japanese colonial," and "postwar." It shows how both new immigrants and locals struggled to sustain the daily lives and economy of that era, relying on a bowl of hot snacks and a bicycle laden with goods. This heartwarming nostalgia is worth experiencing firsthand.

Transportation Information

Top City Taichung Far Eastern Department Store (Food Republic Food Court on the 12th Floor)
• Address: No. 251, Section 3, Taiwan Avenue, Xitun District, Taichung City
• Public Transportation:
• Take the Taichung MRT Green Line to City Hall Station (G9), then walk for about 15-20 minutes. • Take various bus routes and get off at Shin Kong or Far Eastern Department Store.

#Multicultural Taiwan #1950s Retro Style #Hard Work Before the Economic Takeoff #Sesame Oil Chicken, Beef Noodles, and Oyster Omelette #Sesame Oil Chicken, Beef Noodles, and Oyster Omelette #Timeless Taiwanese Cuisine #Tricycle #Tram and Station #Humane Grocery Store #Japanese Restaurant

Post by 有伴同旅其樂無窮 | Oct 16, 2025