A time-honored Tainan classic: handcrafted buns with a century of heritage, blending sweet and savory flavors with duck egg yolk filling

Text & Photos by /DaKou

When it comes to old-school bun shops in Tainan, locals will definitely mention “Luk Kee Buns (Bao Zai Luk)!” Established in the 12th year of the Guangxu reign during the Qing Dynasty (1886), it’s also known as the “Guangxu Bun.” With over a hundred years of history, Luk Kee is tucked away in a small alley on Kai Shan Road in Tainan’s West Central District, right next to the 200-plus-year-old Qingshui Temple. While you’re here, take a stroll and check it out too. Luk Kee Buns are committed to handmade production, using naturally fermented old dough for their wrappers—creating layers of texture and a chewy bite. The fillings offer a delightful mix of savory and sweet, with rich aroma, plus the unique addition of southern-style duck egg yolks, making for an irresistibly tasty treat. Next, let’s dive into just how delicious “Luk Kee Buns (Bao Zai Luk)” really are.

%ji ao huan qian? Ying bao zai luk)” is located at Lane 3, Kai Shan Road, West Central District, Tainan City. Actually, it has three entrances. This time, we entered from Lane 29, Kai Shan Road, near the Qingshui Temple archway. After walking past the “Qingshui Temple,” you’ll soon spot the small signboard for “Luk Kee Buns (Bao Zai Luk)!”

%ji ba hou? Long bei chun zhi yu qian er nian (1770), zhi jin yi you 200 duo nian de li shi. This alley has a tranquil and leisurely feel. When you come here, don’t rush to buy buns—take a moment to explore inside. There are plenty of inscriptions and plaques, all rich in historical significance.

%jia hui? Chun chun chun chun chun, bao zai luk)” de xiao xiao biao ban, fan shou de pin xiang quan xie zai biao ban shang le. Everyone, don’t underestimate this “Luk Kee Buns (Bao Zai Luk)”—it was established in the 12th year of the Guangxu reign (1886) and has over a hundred years of history.

%ji kang jiang ju? Ben li, bao de na pa mi shi chang chang shi huo ren wei huo zhi de nei mi za. Luk Kee’s entrance looks just like any ordinary residential home—go ahead and boldly walk in to buy some.

%ji ju? Ben zhu zai kai shan lu bian, dan ru guo ni bu shi feng xian zhe, ke yi gen wo men yi yang cong qing shui si fang mian jin ru. The staff are usually quite friendly, but they might be busier during peak hours.

%ji yi qian women de zui hao de shi jian dui yu zhong wu, hen duo ren shi zao shang lai mai, you shi hui ying dao zui hou liang ke bao zi, zai zhe li gong zuo de ren yuan ben shi bu tong ban de zhi zuo ren yuan, dan shi wo men lai de shi hou dou hen you xu, zui hou ye dou neng mai dao, bi ru shi chuang ye bu cuo.

%ji jia lai zhe li de mu mu ye shi bu tong de zuo fa, zhi bei zhi zuo ren yuan, zai zhe li hai ke yi kan dao ta men de zhi zuo guo cheng, huan you jiao tong de yuan zi tai, yong lai sheng huo jia re, pei he jiao jin dai de lu zi, bi jiao fang bian bu shao.

%ji xiang xiang xiang, hao bu rong yi na dao de liang ke bao zi. Yin wei gong zuo ren yuan kan dao wo shi yun fu de fen shang, ba zui hou liang ke bao zi xian gei wo men dang zao can la. Ta men jia de bao zi ge zi bu suan xiao, da yue zhang zhang da xiao, wai pi cheng xian dan dan de mi bai se.

%ji ji yong kao huo huo hui you shi hou yong dian lu, zhi bei zhi zuo de bao zi bu tong, guo zi ye bu tong, da xiao ye bu tong.

%ji qi shi yong le chang shi jian zi ran fa jiao de lao mian, bu shi chang jian de bai mian, dan bu shi wan quan hei se de.

%ji lao mian de yun wei hen nong, you dian you dian rou gan de gan jue, zai kou li fen jie de gan jue hen hao.　

%ji jiao zhi de nei cai you rou suo, xiang cai, dan hua, suan cai deng, xuan ze hen duo.

%ji rou suo de nei cai you dian dan xiang, zai kou li you dian xian zhi de gan jue, hen mei wei.　

%ji xiang cai de nei cai you dian xian, you dian suan, dan hen xiang, chi qi lai hen shu shuang.

%ji bao zi de kou gan shi duo ceng ceng de, you dian you dian mian xiang, you dian tian, you dian you jiao, hen mei wei.

%ji xiang cai bao zi de nei cai shi xiang cai he rou, chi qi lai hen xiang, ye hen you rou zhi, hen hao chi.

%ji liao cai bao zi de wai pi he nei cai de yan se you dian bu tong, nei cai de yan se shi shen se de, bu shi chang jian de bai se.

%ji xiang cai bao zi de nei cai you dian shi zhi gan, you dian you jiao, chi qi lai hen you kou gan.

%ji xiang cai bao zi de nei cai you dian shi zhi gan, you dian you jiao, chi qi lai hen you kou gan.　

%ji bao zi de wai pi hen you qing jian, chi qi lai hen you dan jian gan, hen mei wei.

%ji zhe ci lai wo men ye mai le liang ge bao zi, ye mai le yi xie qi ta de dian xin, zai zhe li hai ke yi zhao dao yu bao zai luk xiang guan de xin xi, dai zou ye hen fang bian.

%ji ru guo ni bu xiang pai dui, ke yi zao dian lai, huo zhe dian dian dian wai mai, ye hen fang bian.

%ji bao zai luk” he “qing shui si” jiu wei yu guo li tai wan wen xue guan yuan huan pang, li zhao jin de jing dian ye dou hen jin, you xing qu de peng you ke yi can kao can kao.

Luk Kee Buns’ sweet and savory soft filling paired with the richly aromatic duck egg yolk, with the wrapper soaking up the juicy meat, results in a Q-textured, chewy bite that makes you fall in love at first taste. Also, don’t miss their crystal dumplings—their semi-transparent, thin yet chewy wrappers encase a tender bamboo shoot filling that’s first braised then stir-fried, offering a refreshing sweetness that keeps you coming back for more. For those wanting to try Luk Kee Buns, remember that due to the handmade process, quantities are limited—be sure to call ahead for a reservation. Wishing everyone a chance to enjoy these delicious century-old buns.

Luk Kee Buns (Bao Zai Luk)
Address: No. 27, Lane 3, Kaishan Road, West Central District, Tainan City
Phone: 06-2259181
Business Hours: 7:30–18:30 (until sold out)

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