Featuring realistic illustrations and unassuming video footage of twenty-five traditional food markets in Taiwan, this book covers history, architecture, and fine food, condensing a century of ordinary people’s lives and Taiwan’s cultural spirit of craftsmanship.

“Century-old markets” are public markets established by the Japanese colonial government after 1895. Not just places to sell fresh produce and provide people’s daily needs, these spaces evolved into microcosms of local society and culture. Famous for his political cartoons, YUFU was a foodie who grew up around markets. Over the years, he visited twenty-five of Taiwan’s historic markets and has depicted their stories with a blend of cultural interest, flavorful food, and emotional warmth.

The book starts with a tour of Keelung’s Ren’ai Market in Taiwan’s north and works its way south to the Gushan Fish Market in Kaohsiung. From the illustrations, readers can see the elements of Baroque style used in many of the buildings, few of which are preserved intact and can still be used as markets – the Ximen Red House, for example, used to be Ximen Market. Most of the markets are still trying to adapt to a new era while retaining their historical features ; a few that faded have since been renovated and transformed into popular new food landmarks, such as Dongmen Market in Hsinchu, which offers a mix of Taiwanese snacks and foreign cuisines.

YUFU explains the history of each market in emotionally charged prose, but also offers observations on the buildings’ structural aspects and breakdowns of the century-old shops and culinary treats everyone is talking about. His colorful brushwork makes the specialties of each market appear even more delicious while a QR code at the end of each chapter takes readers to the author’s YouTube channel, where they can watch his vlogs. His pen and camera lens have transformed each market into a museum of regular people’s lives. Readers need only look at the book or click on a link to experience the evolution of these regional markets in our changing times.