The Extraordinary in the Ordinary: A Locally Recommended Popular Spring Roll at Hualien Ziqiang Night Market

Text & Photos /Xiao Sheng

At the Beigang Spring Roll stall in Hualien Ziqiang Night Market, crowds gather every evening. Though the spring roll may seem ordinary, it boasts an extraordinary, simple, and delicious flavor.

Although I had visited Hualien two or three times before, I had never been to Ziqiang Night Market. This time, I naturally asked a local friend what foods were worth trying at the night market. They recommended many options, and Beigang Spring Roll was one of them. However, August is truly the peak travel season. Although the typhoon had just passed, resulting in fewer tourists, the queues for many local snacks in Hualien remained long. All the well-known stalls in Ziqiang Night Market had full lines, and Beigang Spring Roll was no exception.

Beigang Spring Roll is a rather unique stall. Most spring roll vendors usually offer just one type, but here you can choose between beef, tuna, and pork fillings. There are also five flavor options: original, curry, spicy, mustard, and garlic. Additionally, there’s a vegetarian option available, allowing you to mix and match based on your preferences. Originally located at a dusk market, I later visited that market too, but the crowd there was much smaller than at the night market. If you want to skip the line, you can also buy them at the dusk market.

Since I waited in line for about half an hour, I got to observe the process of making the spring rolls. Interestingly, the vendor first lays out the spring roll wrappers on a board and makes a whole batch at once. There are two extra boards for swapping, so each time they switch boards, it feels quite spectacular XD

Aside from cabbage, dried tofu, bean sprouts, peanut powder, and sugar powder, the filling consists of meat along with various sauces. The ingredients aren’t much different from those of a typical spring roll. I personally prefer to start with the original flavor to try the taste of the plain spring roll.

Original Pork Spring Roll (NT$40): The portion size isn’t very large, but the fillings are quite generous. The spring roll wrapper is chewy and has a nice texture, while the filling is fresh and light, packed with crisp vegetables that are very enjoyable. The pork is tender and flavorful, enhanced by the touch of peanut and sugar powder — I really loved this spring roll. Though it’s just an ordinary spring roll, I truly enjoyed its flavor.
Before visiting Ziqiang Night Market, I had my own imaginations about it, but after going, I realized it’s actually quite small. Yet despite its size, there are still many delicious snacks hidden within. Beigang Spring Roll is one of them. Friends who have the chance to visit Ziqiang Night Market should definitely try this unassuming yet delightful treat.

Beigang Spring Roll
Address: Intersection of Ziqiang Road and Section 1, Heping Road, Ji’an Township, Hualien County (inside Ziqiang Night Market)
Phone: 0935 254 794
 

Xiao Sheng’s Wandering Journey
Every journey and every trip is a quest — though I’m not always sure what I’m searching for, what I ultimately gain often exceeds my expectations. And so, my wandering journey will continue endlessly.