Taiwanese cuisine is known for its bold, complex flavors that incorporate elements from Chinese, Japanese, and indigenous cultures. If you're looking to explore Taiwanese food, here are 10 delicious recipes to try that cover savory and sweet cravings.
1. Beef Noodle Soup
A beloved Taiwanese classic, beef noodle soup is a hearty and flavorful dish that's perfect for cold days. Beef shanks are slowly cooked in a fragrant broth with aromatics like ginger, garlic, and star anise, then served over chewy wheat noodles with bok choy and pickled mustard greens. Don't forget to top it off with a drizzle of chili oil for some extra kick!
2. Braised Pork Rice
In Taiwan, you'll find plenty of comfort food options like braised pork rice. This dish features tender, fatty chunks of pork belly that are simmered in a savory sauce of soy sauce, sugar, and spices until they're fall-apart tender. The pork is served over sticky rice with a side of pickled vegetables to cut through the richness.
3. Scallion Pancakes
Scallion pancakes are a popular street food snack in Taiwan that feature layers of crispy, flaky dough and fragrant scallions. The pancakes are made by rolling out the dough and folding it up with layers of scallions, then pan-frying until golden brown and crispy on the outside. They're delicious on their own or dipped in soy sauce.
4. Bubble Tea
Bubble tea, also known as boba tea, originated in Taiwan and has become a beloved drink around the world. It's a sweet, creamy beverage that features black tea or green tea mixed with milk, sugar, and large tapioca pearls that you can sip through a wide straw. You can customize your bubble tea with flavors like honey, fruit syrups, or matcha powder.
5. Gua Bao
Gua bao, also known as Taiwanese pork belly buns, are pillowy steamed buns filled with braised pork belly, pickled mustard greens, and crushed peanuts. The buns are soft and fluffy, and the combination of the savory pork with the tangy pickles and crunchy peanuts is irresistible.
6. Oyster Omelette
Oyster omelette is a popular street food dish in Taiwan that combines fresh oysters with a crispy, egg-based batter. The dish starts with a thin layer of potato starch batter that's pan-fried until crispy, then topped with eggs, oysters, scallions, and a spicy sauce. It's a unique and delicious combination of textures and flavors.
7. Pineapple Cake
Pineapple cake is a Taiwanese dessert that features a buttery, crumbly pastry filled with sweet pineapple jam. The cakes are often cut into bite-sized pieces and served with tea, and they make great souvenirs to bring back home.
8. Beef Roll
Beef roll is a savory snack that features thinly sliced beef that's marinated in soy sauce, sugar, and spices, then rolled up in a flaky pastry shell with scallions and cucumbers. The roll is then sliced into bite-sized pieces and served with a sweet and tangy hoisin sauce.
9. Dan Bing
Dan bing is a Taiwanese breakfast dish that consists of a crepe-like wrap filled with scrambled eggs and crispy crumbled dough, mixed with savory onions and green onions. Dan bing is often topped with a flavorful chili sauce and rolled up like a burrito before being cut into bite-sized pieces. It's a delicious and filling breakfast option!
10. Honey Toast
Honey toast is a Taiwanese dessert that's become popular worldwide. It's a thick slice of bread that's sliced and cubed, then toasted until crisp on the outside and soft on the inside. The cubes are then drizzled with honey and topped with ice cream, fresh fruit, or other sweet toppings. It's a decadent treat that's worth trying!
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