What you need to know
"Each grain of rice on your plate is the accumulated hard work of farmers," as the traditional Taiwanese saying goes. Here's where to get your fix of the hallowed grain in Taipei.
Taiwan is a nation founded upon rice; yet, as we become more diversified and internationalized, so has our diet, and rice is no longer our only carb option. Yet, the culture of rice-based diets are still deeply rooted in the hearts of Taiwanese people and rice is always served at important festive meals.
For example, during Chinese New Year, sweet rice cakes and turnip rice cakes are always offered to the ancestors and gods; rice dumplings wrapped with bamboo are eaten during Dragon Boat Festivals; and rice balls for Winter Solstice. It wouldn't be right to spend a festival without eating the appropriate corresponding rice-made food.
Here are a few places around Taiwan to try that serves delicious meals with rice as recommended by Good Eye Taipei — a new bilingual Taipei city guide.
Dongyi Spareribs (東一排骨飯)
No. 61, Yanping S Rd, Taipei City
Photo Credit: Good Eye Taipei
"Where the decor and crispily fried spareribs both reflect olden-day Taiwan."
Roubuo Turkey Rice (肉伯火雞肉飯 信義店)
1F, No. 405, Section 4, Xinyi Rd, Taipei City
Photo Credit: Good Eye Taipei
"Rice smothered in delicious turkey gravy and tender pulled turkey."
Mama Chang's Buffet (張媽媽自助餐)
No. 81, Section 2, Xinyi Rd, Taipei City
Photo Credit: Good Eye Taipei
"Delicious and high-quality buffet."
Xiao Lizi Rice Porridge (小李子清粥小菜)
No. 142-1, Section 2, Fuxing S Rd, Taipei City
Photo Credit: Good Eye Taipei
"Comforting sweet potato rice porridge with a variety of side dishes."
A-Ying Braised Meat Rice (阿英滷肉飯)
No. 1, Alley 5, Lane 74, Wenzhou St, Taipei City
Photo Credit: Good Eye Taipei
"Remember to ask for a half-cooked egg to go with the delicious stewed minced meat rice."
Lan Jia Gua Bao (藍家割包)
No. 3, Alley 8, Lane 316, Section 3, Roosevelt Rd, Taipei City
Photo Credit: Good Eye Taipei
"Famed for their pork belly buns and four deity soup, their rice dumplings are also delicious."
“Good Eye Taipei” can be purchased at all major bookstores in Taiwan. Check out TNL’s interview with the author here.
Editor: David Green