TAIWAN RICE BALLS 🇹🇼

In Taiwan, rice balls are a very popular everyday food, commonly called 飯糰 (fàntuán) 🍙. They’re especially famous as a breakfast item and street food.

What is a Taiwanese Rice Ball (飯糰)?

A Taiwanese rice ball is made from sticky rice (glutinous rice) wrapped around savory fillings. Unlike Japanese onigiri, Taiwanese 飯糰 is usually larger, softer, and packed with multiple fillings.

Common Fillings

Typical Taiwanese fillings reflect local flavors:
• 油條 (yóutiáo) – crispy fried dough stick (very iconic)
• 肉鬆 (ròusōng) – pork floss
• 滷蛋 (lǔ dàn) – braised egg
• 菜脯 (càipǔ) – pickled radish
• 香腸 (xiāngcháng) – Taiwanese sweet sausage
• 花生粉 (huāshēng fěn) – peanut powder (sometimes sweetened)

You often get a mix of crunchy, savory, and slightly sweet flavors in one bite.

Types of Taiwanese Rice Balls
• Traditional 早餐飯糰 – wrapped in plastic, eaten on the go
• Purple rice 飯糰 – made with black/purple glutinous rice
• Vegetarian 飯糰 – mushrooms, pickled vegetables, peanuts
• Modern versions – tuna, kimchi, cheese, or even Japanese-style fillings

When & Where People Eat It
• Mostly eaten for breakfast
• Sold at street stalls, wet markets, and convenience stores (7-Eleven, FamilyMart in Taiwan)
• Cheap, filling, and very common for students and workers

Cultural Note

飯糰 reflects Taiwan’s mix of Chinese culinary roots and local street food culture—simple ingredients, but very satisfying.

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