Experience the Charm of Cross-culturalism at Kaohsiung's Little Southeast Asia Community

　Southeast Asian eateries and stores are abundant near Kaohsiung's train station, on Nanhua, Jianguo, and Bade roads. Every weekend, a diverse group of migrant workers and new immigrants gather to sell their products. It is known as the Southeast Asia Commercial Community. The organization consists of immigrants from Indonesia, Vietnam, and the Philippines. It is an excellent opportunity to explore Kaohsiung's multiculturalism and enjoy an exotic and unique ambiance. 

　The Kaohsiung Friends of Indonesia Association (KFI) is an organization that is dedicated to promoting cultural exchange and has been promoting the "Kaohsiung Little Southeast Asia Community" since 2018. They also promote Southeast Asian stores that have been set up in front of the station. One of their promotional materials includes the Southeast Asian Commercial District Map. They offer various commercial district tours and cultural immersion activities. They also hold the "Little Southeast Asia Community Day" in October, which provides local Taiwanese residents an opportunity to experience Southeast Asian culture and try the cuisine.

　The tour will take participants along Nanhua, Jianguo, and Bade roads to see the signboards written in various Southeast Asian languages. It will also introduce specialty shops like Halal-certified eateries, including Istana Bakso Chen Lili, specializing in Indonesian beef ball dishes. Owner Chen Lili, who used to do migrant jobs, understands what her fellow expatriates miss and crave from home. Some work as domestic assistants and cannot get to her restaurant, so she started an Indonesian food delivery service. 

　The tour also includes the Indonesian grocery store on Nanhua Road called "Bali." The owner, Mr. Lin, is an overseas Chinese from Indonesia. Customers can get products from Indonesia and even regional dishes like banana pancakes and curry chicken soup. The next stop is another eatery called "Lishih Second-generation Old Store," which is also on Nanhua Road and run by a Vietnamese woman and her husband, Mr. Yang Jian-chuan. Here, people can enjoy delicious Vietnamese cuisine. Signature dishes include fried rice noodles and Vietnamese beef short ribs. They are popular with the locals and Vietnamese residents alike.

　Migrant laborers significantly contribute to Kaohsiung's economy. The Indonesian, Vietnamese, and Philippine people bring a multicultural vibrance to Kaohsiung. Come out and learn about their various cultures and food. It makes a fun family activity to learn more about our Southeast Asian neighbors, and Kaohsiung's Little Southeast Asia Community is a great place to start!

「高雄站前南國商圈」體驗跨文化的魅力

　　高雄火車站南華、建國與八德路一帶，東南亞餐飲百貨林立，每到周末聚集許多移工和新住民，形成別具特色的南國商圈，濃濃異國風，耳邊聽見印尼、越南、菲律賓等語言，給人「出國」的新鮮感，吸引不少遊客專程來此踩街吃美食，體驗高雄多元兼容的城市活力。

　　致力於文化交流的高雄市印尼之友協會從2018年起，與站前東南亞商店的新住民店家們，一起推動「高雄站前南國商圈」，製作商圈地圖、舉辦各種商圈導覽和文化體驗，並固定於10月舉辦「南國商圈社區日」向台灣人推廣東南亞文化體驗與美食饗宴活動。

　　走在外文看板林立的街頭，導覽員如數家珍地介紹每一個特色店家，像是有清真認證的陳莉莉印尼牛肉丸小吃店，店主陳莉莉曾經是移工，她明白移工朋友思念家鄉味，卻又無法離開雇主家太遠的感受，於是從公園外送開始做起印尼小吃服務。

接著走到南華路上的印尼食品百貨「巴里商店」，林老闆是印尼華僑，讓顧客採買之餘，還可品嚐香蕉餅、咖哩雞湯等家鄉料理。

　　「黎氏二代老店」由來自越南的老闆娘與先生楊建川攜手製作美味的越南料理，招牌炒河粉、越式牛小排等招牌好料佳評如潮。

    移工是高雄經濟的重要助力，來自印尼、越南、菲律賓等地的他們飄洋過海來台，也帶來家鄉文化，豐富高雄的人文風景。想走進高雄在地的東南亞場域，很適合以此為入口，體驗道地的東南亞美食和文化。