The last time we visited TaiwanFest was years ago, when it was still at Plaza of Nations. Since Buddha Boy and I had no plans for the day, we drove Downtown and did a quick visit...and yes, it was a very quick visit. The festival was quite disappointing...in fact, it was sad, really sad.
Well, I guess I really shouldn't complain much here since these food stalls were located under "International Food Fair". Stalls that featured Cantonese dim sum, northern Chinese BBQ skewers and Japanese bakudanyaki seemed appropriate...but bubble tea and Taiwanese street snacks? Shouldn't these be part of the section where it featured Taiwanese food?
Now, there were two sections that proudly featured Taiwanese-style "street banquet 流水席"...one at Granville Street for its Taiwanese street food section (not the "International Food Fair") and the other at the Vancouver Art Gallery for Chef Hung 洪師父牛肉麵 (a side note, apparently, a West Vancouver location is scheduled to open at the end of September). Honestly, both resembled nothing like 流水席 in Taiwan. What provided here at the festival was just round tables decorated like a "street banquet" in Taiwan. The tables were basically used as a food court sitting area where you buy your food, find a seat, eat your food. What a joke.
流水席, or "street banquet" (as what TaiwanFest called it), means a banquet with nonstop feast (where food is continuously served from the beginning to the end)...it's practically an AYCE!!! Length of banquet varies, sometimes only half a day while others could go up to three days, maybe more. Instead of calling it "street banquet", maybe "continuous banquet" is more appropriate. "流水" simply means "flowing water", and it resembles the continuous turn-over of tables as guests/diners come and go. With no invitations, guests/diners often provide monetary gifts ("red pockets" 紅包) or small "dining fee" to the hosts. On average, each "turn" has approximately ten to twelve courses, all banquet dishes, not some depressing street food. 流水席 is not limited to outdoors, it can also take place indoors (i.e. hotels, restaurants, etc.). 流水席 should not be confused with 辦桌 as the latter simply means "street catering" and it does not provide continuous feast.
流水席, or "street banquet" (as what TaiwanFest called it), means a banquet with nonstop feast (where food is continuously served from the beginning to the end)...it's practically an AYCE!!! Length of banquet varies, sometimes only half a day while others could go up to three days, maybe more. Instead of calling it "street banquet", maybe "continuous banquet" is more appropriate. "流水" simply means "flowing water", and it resembles the continuous turn-over of tables as guests/diners come and go. With no invitations, guests/diners often provide monetary gifts ("red pockets" 紅包) or small "dining fee" to the hosts. On average, each "turn" has approximately ten to twelve courses, all banquet dishes, not some depressing street food. 流水席 is not limited to outdoors, it can also take place indoors (i.e. hotels, restaurants, etc.). 流水席 should not be confused with 辦桌 as the latter simply means "street catering" and it does not provide continuous feast.
The only display at the festival that somewhat showcased "Taiwan" was provided by the Vancouver Taiwan Hakka Association 溫哥華台灣客家會. However, it really only showcased the Hakka culture in Taiwan. Dry delicacies, paper arts, magazines, banners and posters were used to promote their culture.
Tzu Chi Foundation Canada 佛教慈濟基金會加拿大分會, a co-organizer of the event, had a tent that promoted the humanistic of tea and harmony. Complimentary baked goods were provided.
Tzu Chi Foundation Canada 佛教慈濟基金會加拿大分會 also had a section where they provided free consultation of Chinese herbal medicine.
Buddha Boy and I ate nothing...yes, nothing, at the festival...the food selections were just plain sad and disappointing. The only place where we spent our money was at a fundraising tent for Tzu Chi Foundation Canada 佛教慈濟基金會加拿大分會.
