Dihua Street in Dadaocheng

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If you leave the expressway via the Chongqing North Road Exit Ramp, continue straight and then make a turn, you will arrive at Dadaocheng. For the people of Taipei, a visit to Dadaocheng’s Dihua Street is a must-do before Lunar New Year.‘Nian Wei’, the Lunar New Year experience, feels somewhat incomplete without a visit to Dihua Street.

Min Min’s mother glanced at the clock and found that it was almost eleven. She asked Min Min,“Min Min, would you like to accompany me to go shopping at Dihua Street?”Min Min replied,“I feel a little hungry. Can we go after lunch?”Min Min’s mother smiled and she replied,“People usually do not eat before shopping at Dihua Street.”

Min Min did not understand why, but she saw her mother’s serious expression. So, she decided to listen to her mother, and not have lunch before going to Dihua Street. After getting out of the car, Min Min saw that the way to Dihua Street was full of people. It was really crowded. She heard vendors selling their wares along the entire bustling street.
“Yoo hoo! 600 grams of pistachios for 180 NTD!”
“Please sample some delicious dried squid!”
“Peanuts! Peanuts from Beigang!
“Garlic-flavored and unseasoned peanuts!”
“Mullet roe from Donggang! Mullet roe from Donggang! Just arrived today!”

Each stall vendor was warmly inviting visitors to sample their food. Allowing visitors to sample their food was the best form of advertisement. Min Min was stunned by the wondrous sights, and sampled countless delicious foods with her mother, as they shopped for new year goods and snacks. By the time her mother was done shopping, Min Min had already eaten her fill and she was almost too full to walk.

Min Min rubbed her tummy and said,“Mother, now I know why people do not eat before shopping at Dihua Street. I ate so many things, like melon seeds, peanuts, and chocolate…”Min Min’s mother smiled and said,“This is the charm of Dihua Street. Before Lunar New Year, everyone goes to Dihua Street to shop for new year goods and sample delicious food. It has become a tradition for many.”Min Min replied,“Mother, please bring me here again next year. I will remember to come with an empty stomach!”