Bando – Taiwanese roadside banquet

Bando, literally meaning “to set tables,” is not just about foods, but about a unique experience offered to guests.

Taiwan News
Date: 2016/11/12
By: Sophia Yang, Taiwan News, Staff Reporter

Most important folk culture events and Taiwanese occasions are celebrated with a boisterous feast or a banquet, ranging from weddings, birthdays of local deities, lunar year-end parties, the Ghost Festival, to other major social gatherings. In Taiwan, some are served on the roadside in a banquet style, also known as “bando” in the local language. The roadside banquet is particularly popular in Yilan, and in central and southern Taiwan regions.

Bando, literally meaning “to set tables,” is not just about foods, but about a unique experience offered to guests. On top of tasty foods, the event usually has one to five entertainers performing on the stage in front of banquet tables covered in red cloth. The entertainer could be a master of ceremony, also known as emcee, and a singer at the same time, who has to create a rundown with his or her client beforehand, perform and say lucky words to cheer the host and guests throughout the show.

The preparation works for a roadside banquet starts from very early in the day. A big tent is usually erected on the road next to the host’s house or front yard. Decoration varies on different occasions. Red is the color most chosen for table coverings, chairs, and tents.    [FULL  STORY]