NYC's First Beef Noodle Festival!

Beef noodle soup became Taiwan’s comfort icon through history and circumstance. In the pre-war era, water buffalo powered the farms, so beef was rarely eaten; wheat was scarce in a rice-growing island, making noodles a luxury. After WWII, soldiers and civilians arriving from China brought beef-eating traditions and braised flavors, while U.S. aid supplied wheat, flour, and canned beef. With ingredients in place—and the savory punch of Gangshan doubanjiang—Taiwan’s Sichuan-tinged beef noodle soup took shape and won the island’s heart.

Bubble tea, born in Taiwan, has since grown from local hand-shaken drinks to a global staple over the past three decades. Beer is one of humanity’s oldest brews; Taiwan Beer, rooted in German technique and complemented by local ponlai rice, has earned accolades for decades and keeps innovating with new flavors.

The Golden Melody Time Machine brings the legacy of Mandarin pop music to the heart of New York. This special program revisits the unforgettable songs that have shaped the Chinese-speaking world for decades, from moving ballads that defined the 1980s and 1990s to contemporary anthems that continue to inspire new generations. By spotlighting highlights from Taiwan’s prestigious Golden Melody Awards, the event celebrates both the artistry of legendary singers and the cultural impact of their music across Asia and beyond.