Taiwanese Recipes

Real Taiwanese Recipes: An Exploration into Taiwan's Classic Cuisine

Taiwanese recipes are a delightful mix of indigenous, Chinese, Japanese, and Southeast Asian influences, creating a rich, diverse, and flavorful cuisine that’s gained international attention. From bustling night markets to home kitchens, Taiwanese food blends hearty comfort with vibrant street fare.

In this comprehensive guide, you’ll learn about the most beloved traditional dishes, discover step-by-step instructions to make them at home, and gain insights into the ingredients, history, and cultural relevance behind each recipe. Whether you're new to Taiwanese cuisine or looking to expand your culinary repertoire, this post serves as your starting point for mastering authentic Taiwanese recipes.

What Makes Taiwanese Recipes Unique?

Taiwanese cuisine is not simply Chinese food with a twist. It stands apart for several reasons:

• Regional fusion: Influences from Fujian, Hakka, Japanese, and even indigenous tribal cuisines.
• Street food culture: Foods are frequently served in little, snack-sized amounts that are bursting with flavor.
• Balance of flavors: Salty, sweet, sour, and umami are delicately balanced in most dishes.
• Use of soy-based sauces and fermented ingredients: These are staples in many recipes.
• Slow-cooked broths, rice dishes, and traditional fish food recipes are essential components of everyday Taiwanese meals.

Essential Ingredients in Taiwanese Cooking

Before you dive into making your Taiwanese recipes, stock your kitchen with these core ingredients:

• Soy sauce (light and dark)
• Shaoxing wine
• Rice wine
• White pepper
• Rock sugar
• Oyster sauce
• Fermented tofu (doufu ru)
• Five-spice powder
• Dried shrimp
• Sweet potato starch
• Black vinegar
• Pickled mustard greens
• Fresh herbs like cilantro, Thai basil, and scallions

With these basics in your pantry, you'll be well-prepared to try a wide range of Taiwanese recipes.

Classic Taiwanese Recipes You Must Try

Here are several authentic and beloved Taiwanese dishes you can make at home. Each includes a full ingredient list, cooking steps, and a brief cultural background.

1. Lu Rou Fan (Braised Pork Rice)

Lu Rou Fan is the national comfort food of Taiwan. It’s simple yet richly flavored, served over steamed rice.

Ingredients:

• 500g minced pork belly or shoulder
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp dark soy sauce
• 1 tbsp rice wine
• 1 tbsp rock sugar
• 3 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 shallot (sliced)
• 1 tsp five-spice powder
• 1.5 cups water
• Cooked white rice

Instructions:

1. Add the garlic and shallots to a pot and cook until fragrant.
2. Add pork and stir-fry until browned.
3. Stir in soy sauce, rice wine, rock sugar, and five-spice powder.
4. Add water and simmer on low heat for 1–1.5 hours.
5. Serve hot over rice with a hard-boiled egg and pickled vegetables.

Estimated Calories per Serving: 470 kcal

2. Taiwanese Popcorn Chicken (Yan Su Ji)

Crispy and juicy, this night market favorite is seasoned with five-spice powder and basil, making it a standout among popular late-night food recipes in Taiwan.

Ingredients:

• 300g boneless chicken thighs (cubed)
• 2 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp rice wine
• ½ tsp five-spice powder
• ¼ tsp white pepper
• ½ cup sweet potato starch
• Thai basil leaves
• Oil for frying

Instructions:

1. For half an hour, marinate the chicken in a mixture of wine, garlic, soy sauce, and spices.
2. Coat chicken with sweet potato starch.
3. Deep-fry chicken until golden brown.
4. Fry Thai basil separately and add to the chicken.
5. Sprinkle more five-spice powder before serving.

Estimated Calories per Serving: 380 kcal

3. Beef Noodle Soup (Niu Rou Mian)

This national favorite combines rich beef broth, tender beef shank, and chewy noodles.

Ingredients:

• 500g beef shank or brisket
• 4 cups beef broth
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp rice wine
• 1 tbsp doubanjiang (fermented bean paste)
• 1 tsp sugar
• 3 garlic cloves
• 1 star anise
• Ginger slices
• Noodles
• Pickled mustard greens and cilantro for garnish

Instructions:

1. Brown beef in a hot pot.
2. Add aromatics, sauces, and broth.
3. Simmer for 2 hours until tender.
4. Boil noodles separately.
5. Assemble bowl with noodles, beef, and broth. Garnish and serve.

Estimated Calories per Serving: 550 kcal

4. Gua Bao (Taiwanese Pork Belly Buns)

The Gua Bao, sometimes known as the Taiwanese hamburger, is a popular soft food made with tender pork belly served in a fluffy steamed bun.

Ingredients:

• 500g pork belly
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp rice wine
• 1 tbsp sugar
• Star anise, garlic, ginger
• Pickled mustard greens
• Crushed peanuts and cilantro
• Steamed bao buns

Instructions:

1. Braise pork belly with soy sauce, wine, sugar, and aromatics for 2 hours.
2. Steam buns until soft.
3. Assemble with pork, pickles, peanuts, and cilantro.

Estimated Calories per Bun: 320 kcal

Meal Planning With Taiwanese Recipes

A traditional Taiwanese lunch consists of rice, soup, one vegetable, and one meat dish.

• Main: Lu Rou Fan
• Side Dish: Stir-Fried Water Spinach with Garlic
• Soup: Winter Melon Soup with Dried Shrimp
• Dessert: Taro Balls with Sweet Syrup

Total Estimated Calories for One Meal: ~900–1100 kcal

Nutritional Considerations

Taiwanese food is generally lower in fat than Western fast food, but it can be high in sodium and sugar due to the use of soy sauce and sweeteners. You can make it healthier by:

• Using leaner cuts of meat
• Reducing soy sauce quantity
• Using natural sweeteners like honey
• Adding more steamed vegetables

Conclusion

Whether you're exploring for cultural reasons or simply looking to expand your cooking skills, Taiwanese recipes offer a delicious and diverse culinary adventure. From rich, braised pork rice to crispy street snacks, comforting noodle soups, and flavorful onion food recipes, there's something to satisfy every palate. These recipes are versatile, family-friendly, and adaptable to different dietary needs. With the right ingredients and a bit of time, you can bring the authentic essence of Taiwanese street markets and home kitchens into your own.

FAQs About Taiwanese Recipes

Are Taiwanese recipes difficult for beginners?

Not at all. Many dishes like Lu Rou Fan or Taiwanese popcorn chicken are beginner-friendly and require only basic ingredients and simple steps.

Where can I find Taiwanese ingredients?

Most Asian grocery stores carry essentials like soy sauces, five-spice powder, and sweet potato starch. Online retailers like Amazon also offer these ingredients.

What is the difference between Chinese and Taiwanese recipes?

Taiwanese recipes often have more Japanese and Southeast Asian influences and use ingredients like sweet soy sauce, pickled vegetables, and Thai basil, which aren’t as common in mainland Chinese cooking. These unique combinations contribute to what many consider some of the healthiest fast food options in Asia, especially when compared to heavier, oil-based dishes from other regions.

Can I make Taiwanese recipes vegetarian?

 Yes. Dishes like Lu Rou Fan can be adapted using mushrooms or tofu instead of pork. Vegetarian oyster sauce and soy-based proteins are great alternatives.

Are Taiwanese recipes suitable for meal prep?

 Absolutely. Braised dishes like Lu Rou Fan and beef noodle soup taste even better the next day, making them excellent for batch cooking and meal prep.