60-year-old Taiwanese-style breakfast spot: fried rice topped with a half-cooked egg

Text & Photos /KUNI

(Regular customers here all order a bowl of fried rice topped with a half-cooked egg)

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Zhu Ji Daqiaotou Fried Rice
Address: No. 186-1, Minquan West Road, Datong District, Taipei City
Phone: (02)2557-6503
Hours: 06:00–14:00, Mon–Sat
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After visiting Old Man’s Squid Soup earlier, I finally managed to wake up early again on this day. After checking my food bucket list for a while, I headed straight under Taipei Bridge to visit a 50- or 60-year-old veteran eatery: Zhu Ji Daqiaotou Fried Rice.

Stepping into the shop, the aged space tells tales of years gone by, with the wall tiles still retaining a fair degree of whiteness. I found myself intrigued by the interactions between the owner couple and their customers — a kind of conversation that felt entirely natural and unpretentious. It was more akin to simple greetings between old friends than anything overly familiar or polite.

(The storefront)

(The owner and his wife)

(The signature fried rice)

(Inside the shop)

As I soaked in the nostalgic vibe, side dishes gradually made their way to the table:
Braised Pork Rice (NT$20)
Pork Belly (NT$35)
Braised Cabbage (NT$30)
Pork Ball Soup (NT$40)
Fried Rice (NT$30)
Egg (NT$15)

At first, the braised pork rice had a light yet not bland flavor. Its seasoning was surprisingly free from any greasiness, which was impressive. The pork belly was somewhat unremarkable, but the braised cabbage was soft and tender, and well-seasoned — excellent. This dish is a common sight in Taiwanese street food, and many famous braised pork rice shops offer it. But making it delicious isn’t easy; for instance, I didn’t care for the version at Sanxing’s Jin Da.

(All dishes served)

(Braised Pork Rice)

(Pork Belly)

(Braised Cabbage)

(Pork Ball Soup)

I’d heard somewhere that regulars here always order a bowl of fried rice topped with a half-cooked egg, then pierce the yolk so it runs into the rice as they eat. Today, I decided to give it a try — first, just savoring the plain flavors. It might be the “least greasy” fried rice I’ve ever had, and when paired with the minced pork sauce, it could almost be described as delicate. Despite this “light taste,” it was genuinely smooth and easy to eat. The only downside was that the boss might have overcooked my egg a bit.

(Fried Rice)

(How regular customers eat it)

Seems I've temporarily fallen for Taiwanese-style breakfasts—but only if... I can manage to wake up early XD

 

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