Sun Moon Lake: What to Eat When You’re Staying At the Lalu

This guide is dedicated to my family who are joining us at Sun Moon Lake soon to celebrate the union of Thomas and me. We have chosen The Lalu as our beautiful home. While this resort has many options itself, you can also find incredible local cuisines just a short walk away. Here is where you can eat when you are hungry:

Inside the Lalu

The Lalu is one of the two five-star resorts on the lake and boasts 3 award winning restaurants on site. Here are the five spots you can enjoy on site so you wouldn’t need to leave the resort at all upon checking in.

1. Oriental Brasserie

A casual yet elegant restaurant serving a mix of Chinese, Western, and Asian fusion dishes. Breakfast buffets, lunches, and dinners are offered here. The food tends to highlight local ingredients, and you get beautiful lake views while dining.

2. Lakeview Chinese Restaurant (Our wedding banquet will be hosted here)

Focuses on refined traditional Chinese cuisine, especially Jiangzhe (Jiangnan and Zhejiang) styles, with some Taiwanese influences. Dim sum, seasonal set menus, and specialty dishes like tea-smoked duck are popular. Very formal atmosphere.

3. Japanese Restaurant

Specializes in authentic Japanese kaiseki (multi-course) meals using super-fresh seafood flown in daily. You’ll find sushi, sashimi, tempura, and a carefully curated sake selection. The space is intimate, designed like a modern ryotei (Japanese fine dining house).

4. The Tea House

An elegant spot for afternoon tea, small bites, and desserts. They serve traditional Taiwanese teas (especially high-mountain oolong) paired with handmade sweets. The vibe is super peaceful, often with live guzheng (zither) music in the background.

5. The Lobby Lounge

A relaxed area for light meals, cocktails, and coffee. It’s more casual than the others, great for a sunset drink or a small bite. Many guests hang out here for its panoramic Sun Moon Lake views through the floor-to-ceiling windows.

Around the Lake

If you’re looking for something more immersive, casual, budget friendly, there are many restaurants and bites along the lake. Because we are in a rural part of Taiwan, it is important that you carry some cash (TWD) when you’re walking around. Unless you plan on doing crazy souvenir shopping, you don’t need to carry more than 1000TWD (roughly $32) and that may even be too much. Most bites and restaurants have food options for less than 100TWD ($3) and it will be filling!

Ita Thao Street Market

Sun Moon Lake Restaurant (日月潭餐廳)

A classic choice for trying local Yuchi township specialties. Their must-try dishes include President Fish (總統魚, a type of local carp), wild mountain vegetables, and traditional Taiwanese stir-fries. Cozy and very local vibe.

Old Papa Black Tea (老爹紅茶)

A street-stall-style tea shop right in the Ita Thao market area, run by a local family that's been steeping high-mountain Assam-style black teas for years.Their signature is a robust cold-brewed black tea (no sugar added) that's extra smooth, plus creative twists like a sea salt-cheese foam topping or a splash of native honey. You can also get it hot if the mountain air turns crisp. Very casual-you'll see locals grabbing a cup to go between food stalls. Simple plastic stools, a handful of standing tables, and the scent of fresh leaves drifting over the pier.

February Coffee（二月咖啡）

A petite artisan café tucked a few minutes' walk from Shuishe Pier-think minimalist wooden counters and a small terrace overlooking the lake. They serve single-origin pour-overs and cold brews made to order, often featuring beans from Taiwanese micro-roasters. They also bake their own scones and shortbread, plus a rotating seasonal cake. It’s laid-back and a bit "Scandi-chic," perfect for lingering over your latte as you watch paddleboats drift by. Ideal for a mid-afternoon respite.

Tiao Café (條．咖啡)

A chic little hideaway tucked just off the main boardwalk at Shuishe Pier. Tiao Café focuses on specialty coffee and light brunch fare, blending modern café culture with subtle nods to Taiwan’s tea heritage.

Fu Bar (富吧)

A stylish, laid-back restaurant and bar near Shuishe Pier. Great for Western-style burgers, pizzas, and cocktails. It’s popular with younger travelers and expats. Chill atmosphere, especially nice for sunset drinks.

Ita Thao Pier Market (伊達邵碼頭美食街) ‼️must-try list below

Not a single restaurant, but a must-visit food street! Tons of stalls selling indigenous Thao tribe specialties: wild boar sausages, bamboo rice, aiyu jelly drinks, and millet wine. Super fun and very local experience.

Full House Resort Restaurant (滿屋餐廳)

Located inside Full House Resort near Ita Thao, this spot is known for refined Taiwanese aboriginal dishes. They focus heavily on local ingredients, river shrimp, mountain boar, and seasonal greens. More sit-down and elegant compared to the night market.

Xiangshan Visitor Center Café (向山行政暨遊客中心咖啡館)

Technically a café, but it’s a must-stop because the visitor center itself is a stunning piece of architecture by Dan Norihiko. Their coffee and desserts are simple but very good, and the lake view from here is jaw-dropping.

⭐️ I always recommend searching the Chinese Name on GOOGLE MAPS for the most accurate route to the restaurant. Apple Maps can be inaccurate especially in rural parts of Taiwan, like Sun Moon Lake.

‼️ Ita Shao Street Food Must-Try List:

Here are 8 must-try bites when you stroll through Ita Thao Pier Market—most are specialties of the local Thao (邵族) indigenous culture or long-standing night-market classics:

1. Wild Boar Sausage (山豬肉香腸)

   Juicy, slightly smoky pork sausage made from free-range mountain boar—often served on a stick and grilled to order. Sweet, savory, and a bit

   
   

2. Bamboo-Tube Rice (竹筒飯)

   Sticky rice steamed inside a hollowed bamboo tube, sometimes mixed with wild mountain vegetables or bits of pork. Tear off the bamboo lining to reveal fragrant, subtly smokey rice.

   
   

3. Millet Wine (小米酒)

   The Thao tribe’s traditional fermented millet liquor—served warm in little ceramic cups. Lightly sweet, mildly tart, and quite potent; a wonderful local aperitif.

   
   

4. Aiyu Jelly with Lemon (愛玉檸檬冰)

   Ice-cold, jelly-like dessert made from the seeds of the aiyu fig, drizzled with fresh lemon juice and syrup. Super refreshing on a hot day.

   
   

5. Taro Balls (芋圓)

   Chewy dumplings made from taro or sweet potato, tossed in syrup or served atop shaved ice. Look for booths offering both purple-taro and golden-sweet-potato versions.

   
   

6. Peanut Mochi (花生麻糬)

   Soft, pillowy rice cakes rolled in crushed roasted peanuts and brown sugar. Chewy texture plus nutty sweetness—an addictive snack.

   
   

7. Grilled Sweet Potato (烤地瓜)

   Thick wedges of local sweet potato roasted over charcoal until the flesh is silky-soft and caramelized on the outside. Simple but deeply satisfying

   
   

8. Indigenous‐Style Grilled Fish (原住民烤魚)

   Usually the locally farmed “President Fish” (總統魚), butterflied and marinated in garlic, chili, and mountain herbs, then charcoal-grilled. Crispy skin, tender flesh, and fragrant herb notes.

   
   
   

   

   
   
   

Hungry 24/7?

If you are STILL hungry, you can always go to these convenience stores to pick up a bite. There’s a couple around the lake and is the spot to stock up on snacks and drinks for your hotel room in the event you get hungry at night. Or if you’re up for a midnight stroll, by all means go for it! It’s quite safe. This is where you can recharge your IC Carc too (if needed.)

• 7 Eleven

• Family Mart