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Taipei (Taiwan)
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Meat
Food Flavour DNA
Nutritional Values
600kcal
20gProtein
45gCarbs
40gFat
3gFibre
300 gServing
* Per serving · 300 g. May vary.
Allergens
🌾 Gluten
Gua Bao
How to order / say it
Say it
割包 — [gwa-bow]
Order
I'd like one gua bao, please.
Locally
給我一個割包，謝謝。
Say locally
A fluffy steamed bun filled with braised pork belly.
Why try it?
Gua bao, fondly dubbed 'Taiwanese burger', is a street food staple showcasing the inventive, yet hearty nature of Taipei’s culinary identity. Each bite presents a rich blend of flavors and textures that's inviting and satisfying.
How it tastes
The dish is a heavenly mix of tender, savory pork belly, fresh cilantro, and tangy pickles encased in a soft, springy bun. The combination creates an irresistible medley of sweet, salty, and sour notes.
Origin & History — first documented: 1880
Originating from China’s Fujian province, gua bao was adapted in Taiwan over centuries, particularly during the Qing Dynasty. It became widely popular as a portable, ready-to-eat snack at Taipei night markets.
Recipe
Ingredients
- 🥩 200 g pork belly
- 🍯 20 g white sugar
- 🥣 30 ml soy sauce
- 🌾 2 steamed buns
- 🥕 30 g pickled mustard greens
- 🌿 10 g fresh cilantro
Method
- 1 Braise pork belly with sugar and soy sauce for 1 hour.
- 2 Steam the buns until soft and airy.
- 3 Assemble the bun with pork, greens, and cilantro.
- 4 Serve warm as a grab-and-go snack.
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