Chihshan Rice Meal Cultural Story Museum Introduction
In the past, the train journey from Hualien to Taitung took 8 hours, which is why the earliest Chishang rice boxes were created for travelers to enjoy during the long trip. Initially, the rice boxes were wrapped in bamboo leaves and contained four triangular rice balls filled with dried meat and pickled plums. Over time, the packaging evolved to wooden boxes, featuring rice made from Chishang rice accompanied by braised pork, roasted meat, and traditional pickles, as well as shrimp caught from Dapo Pond. With the passage of time, Chishang rice boxes have strictly controlled their raw materials, creating a more diverse array of dishes while carrying on the legacy of the old brand with modern management. The Chishang Rice Box Cultural Story Museum is divided into several exhibition areas, including the "Historical and Cultural Area," "Farming Tools Area," "Rice Culture Area," "Chishang Rice Box Area," and "Traditional Rice Box Area," which use texts and images to introduce the development of Chishang rice boxes over the years. It also houses traditional stoves and utensils used in the early days of making rice boxes. Therefore, the Chishang Rice Box Museum not only provides an opportunity for public visits but also serves multiple functions of cultural preservation and education. When visiting the Chishang Rice Box Cultural Story Museum, enjoying the rice boxes is a major highlight, but there are also many other things to see and do, making it a great spot to spend a little time. Additionally, apart from the spacious and comfortable dining area, visitors can also enjoy their meals inside a retired train car from Taiwan Railways parked at the entrance, fully experiencing the nostalgic atmosphere of dining on a train. It creates a more leisurely travel vibe compared to eating Chishang rice boxes on an actual train.
