Description
The most famous Taiwanese railway bento (Ekiben) sold on trains and at stations, featuring a pork rib braised in a traditional secret sauce.
Restaurants serving Taiwan Railways Administration (TRA) Bento
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We are researching restaurants that serve this dish.
On this site you can check dictionary details and, later, places to buy or eat related items.
The Recipe section below is a general reference, not a recipe from the listed shops.
Recipe
Ingredients
- Pork loin
- Soy sauce
- Star anise
- Braised egg
- Pickled daikon
- Rice
Instructions
- [Authentic Recipe]
- Carefully pound select pork loin and marinate overnight in a secret soy sauce (soy, five-spice, massive sugar, garlic).
- Flash-fry without batter (or very lightly dusted) to seal in umami.
- Place the pork into a large cauldron of brine flavored with star anise and cinnamon, simmering until moist and tender.
- Fill a special round paper (or wooden) container with sauce-infused rice.
- Place the braised pork front and center, flanked by a braised egg (Lu Dan), dried tofu (Dou Gan), pickled mustard greens, and the essential pickled daikon.
Learn more Spice, substitutes, tips
Key spices
Star anise and Cinnamon
Substitutes at Japanese supermarkets
Sweet and savory simmered pork slices
Pairing
Hot tea bought at the station
Trivia
[Trend] A soul food with nearly 100 years of history. Sold out in a flash at station kiosks at noon; a pilgrimage gourmet said to be essential for any trip to Taiwan.
Eating tips & etiquette
[Unique Eating] On a swaying train, enjoy the star anise aroma the moment you open the lid, stripping meat from the bone while savoring rice that's delicious even cold!
Allergen
Wheat, Pork, Soy, Egg