漫遊年味十足的老街 (一) / Exploring an Old Street Filled with Lunar New Year Festivities (Part 1)

今年的農曆過年，似乎來的比往年要早一些，不過，我的一些朋友們，早早就規劃好，利用新年期間出國的行程了，有些朋友已經出發，正在路上了，有些朋友則是計畫年後才出發，以避開過年出遊的人潮，而且年後的機票及住宿價錢也會較便宜一些，我個人是較傾向年後才出遊的想法，於是趁著天氣還算晴朗的週末，去年貨大街逛逛。

每個縣市都有在地的年貨大街，我住在北部，每到農曆年前，知名的老街 - 迪化街，就化身成為全台最知名的年貨大街，在這裡可以看到過年必備的各式糖果、瓜子、糕餅、零食等，還有應景的年節布置、紅包、對聯等，其實，就算不來迪化街採購年節時期用的物品，有著深厚文化底蘊的迪化街，也很值得一逛。

還好我們有先見之明，選擇搭大眾交通工具來迪化街，光從捷運站，就感覺到，不論是扶老攜幼的大家庭，或是濃情密意的情侶們，他們和我們的目的地，是一致的，都是去年貨大街逛逛，從捷運站出口，十分鐘內就可以走到迪化街的入口，2024年是龍年，所以在入口處就可以看到可愛的龍造型的玩偶坐在屋頂上，而今年是十二生肖中的蛇年，所以坐在屋頂上的是元寶菇玩偶？我真的不懂今年主辦單位的行銷概念。

不知為何，我感覺到今年的賣草莓大福的攤位，好像比往年還要多，我看新聞說，今年的草莓採收狀況不好，所以，應該會較貴一些，不過，幾乎每家賣草莓大福的攤位生意都很好，這次，我特地走到迪化街尾的名店 - 滋養和菓子，因為它開始販賣季節限定的草莓大福，一顆草莓大福要價六十五台幣，四顆特價二百五十台幣，但是店外面，還是很多人想進入店內選購，我想想，我還是吃全家便利商店賣的四十二元的草莓大福，就好了，難怪，新聞說，迪化街快變成草莓大福一條街。

This year, Lunar New Year seems to have arrived a bit earlier than usual. Some of my friends have already planned trips abroad for the holiday season. A few of them have already left and are on their way, while others are planning to travel after the New Year to avoid the holiday crowds. Plus, flight tickets and accommodations are usually cheaper after the holiday rush. Personally, I prefer the idea of traveling after the New Year as well, so I decided to take advantage of a sunny weekend to visit the traditional New Year Market.

Every county has its own local New Year Market. I live in northern Taiwan, and every year before the Lunar New Year, the famous Dihua Street transforms into Taiwan’s most well-known New Year Market. Here, you can find all kinds of must-haves for the season, like candies, seeds, pastries, snacks, and festive decorations such as red envelopes and couplets. Honestly, even if you’re not shopping for New Year’s goods, Dihua Street, with its rich cultural heritage, is still worth a visit.

Luckily, we had the foresight to take public transportation to Dihua Street. As soon as we got off the MRT, it was clear that families with kids, couples holding hands, and groups of friends all had the same destination as us: the New Year Market. It only takes about ten minutes to walk from the MRT station to the entrance of Dihua Street. Since 2024 is the Year of the Dragon, there was a cute dragon figurine sitting on the roof at the entrance. But wait—this year is actually the Year of the Snake, so why was there a golden mushroom doll up there instead? I really don’t understand the organizers’ marketing logic this year.

For some reason, it feels like there are more strawberry mochi stands this year compared to previous years. I read in the news that this year’s strawberry harvest wasn’t great here, so prices are expected to be higher. But despite that, nearly every strawberry mochi stall seemed to be doing great business. I made a special trip to the famous shop at the end of Dihua Street—Ziyang Wagashi—because they’ve started selling their seasonal limited-edition strawberry mochi. Each one costs NT$65, or you can get four for NT$250. There were still long lines outside the shop, full of people eager to go in and pick their treats. After thinking it over, I decided I’d stick to the NT$42 strawberry mochi sold at FamilyMart instead. No wonder the news joked that Dihua Street is turning into "Strawberry Mochi Street".

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