Skip to main content

Taiwanese

This New Cookbook Is an Essential Guide Through Taiwan’s Culinary Landscape

Clarissa Wei’s book is an instant classic for anyone who appreciates popcorn chicken, vintage Tatung steamers, and a good pineapple cake.

Sticky Rice Roll

A mat of sticky rice is stuffed with a sprinkle of pickled mustard greens, preserved radish, and a bit of pork floss to make this Taiwanese breakfast staple.

Fried Pork Chop

Marinated in a simple medley of soy sauce, sugar, and a bit of five-spice powder, these fried pork chops are a delicious anchor for an afternoon meal.

Mung Bean Pork Mooncake

This mung bean and pork mooncake is a classic in Taiwan, with the meat and sweet bean filling enclosed in a flaky, layered, lard-infused bun.

Grandma’s Pearl Meatballs

For these pearl meatballs, a mixture of pork, ginger, and scallions are combined into a meatball, then rolled in grains of sweet glutinous rice.

Whole Steamed Fish

The final touch for this dish is a pour of hot oil over the top, providing an additional flash-fry of aromatic flavor as the oil sizzles over the scallions and ginger.

Lion’s Head Big Macs

Lion’s head meatballs are traditionally stewed or steamed in a casserole dish; here they star in the sandwich of my childhood dreams.

Chicken, Fennel, and Apple Guo-Tie

In these chicken dumplings, sweet apple and savory chicken come together, and pickled fennel is the lightly acidic bridge.

These Soft-Boiled Tea Eggs Are the Perfect Anytime Snack

These salty, jammy, marinated eggs hit the spot over rice with braised pork, or with a slice of toast.

Soft-Boiled Tea Eggs

This version of tea eggs features a soft-boiled, slightly oozy center that’s simmered in a comforting blend of oolong tea, soy sauce, and aromatics.

Classic Milk Tea

Made with sweetened black tea, milk, and black tapioca pearls, this classic milk tea recipe is sweet, creamy, and delicious.

Three Cup Chicken (San Bei Ji)

This Taiwanese classic gets its name from the generous amounts of soy sauce, sesame oil, and rice wine it calls for.

Taiwanese Turkey Rice

Poach turkey in an anise, ginger, and scallion broth, then shred the meat and toss with a savory, lard-enriched sauce for this traditional Taiwanese preparation.

Win Son Bakery's Red Date Cake

Dried red dates, also known as jujubes, contribute an earthy-sweet caramel flavor to this toffee-glazed cake from Pastry Chef Danielle Spencer of Win Son Bakery in Brooklyn. Look for red dates in most Asian groceries or health food stores.

Crispy Taiwanese Pork Cutlets

Flattening pork chops with the dull edge of a cleaver or heavy knife gives the surface an almost fluffy texture and helps the potato starch coating adhere.

Pork Wontons With Sesame Sauce

Whipping an egg into the filling of these simple, folded dumplings makes them fluffy and moist—and a double hit of soy amps up the umami.

Classic Bubble Tea Recipe

Iced tea with tapioca pearls that are sucked from a large straw are perhaps Taiwan’s most famous culinary export.

Spicy Cold Celery

Northern Chinese and Taiwanese meals—especially in restaurants—often begin with a little nibble, dishes of savory snacks that are set on the table with tea. They are generally items that you can pick up with your chopsticks and pop in your mouth in one motion. This cold celery dish is a perfect example, with just the right gentle crunch and bite to whet your appetite.

Taiwanese Beef Noodle Soup

This rich soup is hearty enough to serve as a main course. Dried tangerine peel and star anise impart an exotic note, and pickled mustard greens provide contrast to the beefy broth.