Japanese Tourists Rave Over Simple Boiled Vegetables in Taiwan, Delight Netizens

A simple dish of boiled vegetables became the unexpected star of a dining experience for Japanese tourists in Taiwan, eliciting effusive praise that surprised a local observer. The tourists were heard repeatedly exclaiming "Oishii!" – the Japanese word for delicious – at a noodle shop in Ximending, Taipei. Their enthusiastic reactions, described as if they had never tasted such food before, prompted curiosity from a nearby diner who discovered they were marveling at plain boiled greens.

“

Oishii~

This unexpected appreciation for a common Taiwanese side dish sparked a lively discussion among netizens. Many commented on the rarity of boiled vegetables as a standalone dish in Japan, suggesting that the novelty might explain the tourists' delight. Some pointed out that Japanese cuisine, while diverse, often features different preparations for vegetables, with steamed or stir-fried greens being less common than raw salads or other cooked forms.

“

This is truly the highest praise I've ever seen for ordinary boiled vegetables.

Further explanations offered by online users suggested that geographical and economic factors might contribute to the difference. Colder climates in Japan can limit the variety of locally grown fresh vegetables, and the cost of greenhouse cultivation can be high. This scarcity, coupled with different culinary traditions, could make a simple dish of boiled vegetables a delightful discovery for visitors from Japan. The incident serves as a charming reminder of how everyday foods can be perceived differently across cultures.

“

Japanese restaurants rarely serve boiled vegetables.