【Reporter Shu-yuan Cai / Taichung Report】

Online voting for the 2026 Taichung City Top 10 Souvenirs is open starting today, with the event running for three consecutive days from today (7th) to the 9th. (Photo / Captured by Reporter Shu-yuan Cai)

Online voting for the 17th "2026 Taichung City Top 10 Souvenirs" has officially opened, running for three consecutive days from today (7th) to the 9th. This year, 215 high-quality brands registered to compete for the gold standard of the souvenir industry. Following evaluations and tastings by a judging panel composed of industry, government, and academic experts, food influencers, and bloggers, a total of 100 brands were shortlisted for the Taichung City Top 10 Souvenirs. On-site voting will be held at the City Hall Plaza this Saturday and Sunday, with the final winners of the strongest souvenirs to be revealed this Sunday (11th).

Chia-hsing Lin, Deputy Director-General of the Taichung City Industrial Development & Investment Promotion Committee (IDIPC), stated that the theme for this year's Taichung City Top 10 Souvenirs is "Local Innovation, Shining Internationally." The public can participate in the voting by downloading and registering on the "Taichung Pass (TCPASS) APP," clicking the shopping festival banner on the homepage to enter the voting page. Participants also have the chance to win various exquisite souvenir gift boxes. A large-scale on-site voting and market exhibition will be held at the City Hall Plaza over the weekend to convert popularity into sales and support local brands.

The "Top 10 Souvenirs First Prize" is divided into two categories: the "Bakery and Roasting Group" and the "Specialty Cultural and Creative Group." The top 10 from each category, totaling 20 winners, will be selected. Those shortlisted for the TOP 100 CAKE GIFTS will be awarded the official "Quality Gift Label" certification, which is expected to provide promotional benefits and enhance brand awareness for the shops.

Highlights of this year's participating shops include century-old legacy brands, popular online shops with long queues, youth startups, luxury cultural and creative designs, local agricultural products, indigenous specialty goods, and heartwarming souvenirs from social welfare organizations. In addition to major brands and established shops, many e-commerce-only businesses or studio-style shops have also joined the competition.

Specific highlights include "Chef Jing’s Signature Dishes," a former Top 10 winner, which launched its new "Squid with Snail and Garlic Leek Soup" after selling 100,000 units of its "Abalone and Fish Maw Braised Chicken Soup." "8C" features a cactus coffee alkaline liquor crafted by baristas using patented technology. "Uncle Bing," a popular stall at Feng Chia Night Market, developed "Grilled Corn Kernels." Additionally, there is the entry of vacuum-dried, low-temperature roasted fruit slices made from local Taiwanese produce, which have been exported to the United States for 10 years; the century-old bakery "Chen Yun Pao Chuan" is also vying for dominance with its "One-Bite Sun Cake."

Hsiao-wei Wang, Chairperson of the Taichung City Gift Association, stated that the competition for this year’s event is exceptionally fierce, and the establishments shortlisted for the TOP 100 CAKE GIFTS all possess formidable strength. Hsu-tung Chi, Chairperson of the Taichung Bakery Association, also noted that the types of participating brands this year are highly diverse, encompassing popular online shops, young farmer brands, farmers' association brands, startup bakery studios, and indigenous specialty products. He encouraged businesses to strive for popularity and boost sales momentum, emphasizing that being shortlisted for the TOP 100 GIFTS is a significant affirmation in itself.

A total of 100 brands have been shortlisted for the "2026 Taichung City Top 10 Souvenirs," with online voting now open for three days. (Photo / Captured by Reporter Shu-yuan Cai)
 

Chef Jing's signature dishes, a previous Top 10 winner, introduced its new "Squid with Snail and Garlic Leek Soup" for this year's competition. (Photo / Captured by Reporter Shu-yuan Cai)
 

8C, which features a barista-crafted cactus coffee alkaline liquor using patented technology, was shortlisted for the TOP 100 CAKE GIFTS. (Photo / Captured by Reporter Shu-yuan Cai)

Shops shortlisted for the Top 10 Souvenirs. (Photo / Captured by Reporter Shu-yuan Cai)

Businesses that have exported vacuum-dried, low-temperature roasted fruit slices made from local Taiwanese produce to the United States for 10 years have returned to Taiwan to compete for the first time. (Photo / Captured by Reporter Shu-yuan Cai)

News Source: 【Liberty Times】
https://news.ltn.com.tw/news/Taichung/breakingnews/5302721