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Chiayi’s hippest street-side sushi stand: a corner veteran reborn as an Instagram hotspot After dark, at the intersection of Xinrong Road and Chenggong Street near Datong Elementary School in Chiayi City, two lanterns glow on the corner, each bearing the name “Mao Sheng.” Founded more than four decades ago, Mao Sheng Sushi is etched in the memory of longtime Chiayi residents. Now in its second generation, the family hired the celebrated design studio “Benwu Studio” to renovate the space and overhaul the brand identity. In one stroke the neighborhood’s cozy sushi stand has become a chic, retro-chic Chiayi street-scene magnet, drawing young crowds and out-of-town visitors. On weekends the reborn Mao Sheng sports long queues, yet weekdays still belong to local regulars; the only change is the backdrop as the owner chats across the counter with familiar faces, the warmth unchanged. As for the menu, the chefs stay true to the stand’s long-time formula: affordable Taiwanese-Japanese fare. Classics—salads, sashimi, pork cutlets, assorted sides—remain crowd-pleasers. Ask if there’s a uniquely Chiayi element in the food and the answer is “mayonnaise.” Insider tip: Mao Sheng’s mayo is custom-made for them by a specific supplier using an exclusive “white vinegar,” delivered fresh with a very short shelf life. (Closed days per announcement) Photo source: Chiayi City Government Tourism and News Department | Photographer: Marg