【Taiwan Food Tour】2020 Taiwan Braised Pork Rice Festival

What’s the national meal in Taiwan? The answer is braised pork rice with no doubt. You can find it from the street vendors to the restaurants of a 5-star hotel and the dining table of the state banquets.

The soul of braised pork rice is composed of Taiwanese rice with premium quality and Taiwanese invincible pork cooked with special sauce. When the rice is topped with the pork and the broth, classic Taiwanese cuisine is born. The national meal is selected as one of the must-try in Taiwan by CNN and has conquered the appetite of people all over the world.

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The origin of braised pork rice  

When did the Taiwanese “invent” braised pork rice? It was surmised that in the early days of Taiwan, the poor people bought some cheap minced pork and pigskin, chopped them into little pieces, and cooked them with soy sauce. Therefore the people can enjoy the rice with pork broth at a low cost. In the 1920s, people imported the rice(Japonica) with a better taste that goes well with the braised pork. We can assume that there was a street vendor selling braised pork rice and attracted numerous customers, then there were more and more vendors that sold braised pork rice.

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2020 Taiwan Braised Pork Rice Festival

To promote Taiwan Braised Pork Rice, the Ministry of Economic Affairs holds Braised Pork Rice Festival every year. At the festival in 2020, the hosts picked up 156 restaurants that serve tasty braised pork rice. What’s more? They also selected some innovative braised pork rice with special features. Let’s see what you can add to your to-eat list.

At the festival this year, the hosts picked up 156 restaurants that serve tasty braised pork rice. What’s more? They also selected some innovative braised pork rice with special features. Let’s see what you can add to your to-eat list.

Jinfeng Braised Pork Rice 金峰滷肉飯

Jingfung’s braised pork rice is one of the must-try brands in Taiwan. It serves the original flavor of braised pork rice－salty and greasy. It is a legendary vendor in the Nanmen market. You will feel the urge to have one bowl after another.(Map)

Taoyuan Hao 桃源號

The vendor has a history of over 80 years. If you don’t like fatty flavor, the braised pork rice here can be your first choice. With 70 percent of lean meat and 30 percent of fat meat, you can dig in the rice without feeling so guilty for your shape. (Map)

Latte Braised Pork Rice of Jia Shiang Wei 家香味食堂

Though the name sounds mind-blowing, you will be amazed by the culinary skill. The milk neutralizes the bitterness of the coffee, the coffee eliminates the grease of the braised pork, and the pork enriches the taste of the milk. A simple bowl actually takes a great balance among the three ingredients. (Map)

Boba Braised Pork Rice of Lin’s Canteen 林記食堂

Don’t be panic, the boba here is not tapioca pearl but a runny egg. The rice is mixed with egg yolk, cheese, and braised pork. The multiple delights will definitely make you addicted. (Map)

Vegan Braised Pork Rice of Sheriff’s Tea Eggs 所長茶葉蛋

Vegetarians and Muslins also can enjoy the flavor of braised pork rice. The vegan pork is made of soybean and it tastes just like real meat. The rice is topped with secret broth and a specially made tea egg. You can enjoy the cuisine and protect the environment simultaneously. (Map)

You must be starving after reading the recommending list. Would you like a Taiwan food tour? Let Justaiwantour guide you to dig out all the Taiwanese delicacies!