Mr. Tsai(蔡先生)

Mr. Tsai at his place of work on April 17th, 2024

Mr. Tsai, a local Shilin businessman, has been working for his father’s sausage business for nearly sixty years. Moving from Tainan to Shilin at the age of eight, he watched his father lay the foundations for what would become a well-known sausage stand in the heart of Shilin, a legacy he continues to this day.

Mr. Tsai's family-run sausage stand is also known as the: Shilin Big Sausage due to its size. The main focus is on the quality and freshness of his produce. The meat comes directly from the local market every morning. Mr. Tsai’s sausages are also unrivaled in their chewiness and flavor, reminiscent of succulent pork chops, which keep locals coming back to his food stall for more.

Night markets and food stalls are a cherished tradition in Shilin, deeply rooted in the community’s history. These loud, vibrant markets offer more than just a place to shop and eat. They also create a sense of community amongst locals. Mr. Tsai believes that the tradition of food stalls should not be replaced by big companies and supermarkets.

“Nowadays, you find supermarkets everywhere, but there are some things you just can't buy at a supermarket, like freshly made soup dumplings. Sure, supermarkets sell soup dumplings, but they taste dry and the texture and feeling are just not the same.”

Mr. Tsai embodies the tenacity and spirit of Shilin. His devotion to giving to his community by producing quality sausages despite his long, grueling schedule is a display of hard work, dedication, and passion. To learn more about Mr. Tsai’s daily schedule and his thoughts on preserving Taiwan’s night market culture, watch the interview below