gm Hivers, I'm sharing with you the best Lu Rou Fan (乳優粪) I've encountered. At least that's the one I think best and also, I have only been to Taiwan twice #lol - If you're not familiar with Lu Rou Fan, it's a simple yet delicious Taiwanese dish, Braised Pork Rice.
A few months ago, we had an opportunity to visit Taiwan because Kevin needed to do a visa run. The trip felt like déjà vu, mirroring my previous visit with the same setup, timeline, and places.
This time, my Taiwanese friend Neil, who had shown me around during my last visit, guided me again for a day. We revisited Beitou 北投 Taiwan, a town in the mountains and known for its hot springs. The town's Japanese heritage is still evident, something Kevin, my history-loving boyfriend, pointed out to me.
In Beitou, you can't miss the Ai Zi Cai Braised Pork Rice, a local market stall famous for its Lu Rou Fan. Expect a long queue! when we were there, more than 20 people were lined up. The Lu Rou Fan here is notably thick and black, visible in a big pot. Besides Lu Rou Fan, they serve other dishes like stir-fried vegetables, other stir-fry dishes, rice, tofu, eggs, and a black, sweet herbal soup not too sure what it's called.
We waited in line for no less than half an hour, with my dad and step-mom nearly giving up. While the dish was better during my first visit, the experience this time, under the watchful eyes of my parents, felt a bit different and underpressured #lol. Nonetheless, the dish was still enjoyable, and it's clear why locals love this place so much for its authenticity and flavor.
We enjoyed several dishes, including a mixed pork meat and intestine set in sweet herbal soup, stir-fried vegetables, tofu, and, of course, the famous Lu Rou Fan. Despite the weather not being ideal for this kind of dishes, everything was well-cooked, and the flavors were fantastic.
If you're in the area, I highly recommend Ai Zi Cai Braised Pork Rice. However, if you're far from Beitou, consider whether the journey, possibly taking an hour or two, is worth it. Visiting the same place again in a different country and experiencing the local culture is always special. I loved it, and I think you will too.