aeeble

The Second Market (officially Taichung Public Second Retail Market) is located at the intersection of Sanmin Road and Taiwan Boulevard Section 1 in Central District, Taichung. Covering 2,388 ping, it is a three-wing radial building with a hexagonal main tower at its core. Inside are 54 shopfronts and about 300 stalls selling a wide variety of goods. Originally the Shin-tomi Market during the Japanese era, it specialized in fine, high-priced merchandise and was nicknamed “the Japanese market.” After a complete renovation by the Taichung City Government, it assumed its present appearance; since its founding, it has stood for over a century. As one of Taichung’s earliest vital bazaars for daily necessities, its diverse wares required zoning by category, giving the market passageways a hexagonal radial layout, hence its other name “Six-Way Pass.” The market gathers many renowned snacks: Shanhe braised pork rice, Laolai black tea, Laowang radish cake, Zouji scallion pancakes, Lihai braised pork rice, Maochuan meatballs, Yanji pork buns, Fuzhou yi-mian noodles—flavors locals never forget and visitors seek out by reputation.