Taipei’s Chinese dumpling shop “Suan Cai He Zi” serves tangy, sweet, and mildly spicy treats that are perfect for whetting your appetite

Text and photos byThree Highs Sir

Chinese dumplings have always been one of my favorite foods. In Taipei, I occasionally visit various shops. I’d heard good things about this Jiangsu-style vegetable box shop, so this time I met up with friends for a snack (lunch), and the flavors turned out even better than expected.

The shop is located in an older public housing complex, somewhat hidden. A small stall at the entrance displays bags of pre-packed boxes, suggesting decent sales. Next to it is the flat pan used for baking the boxes—offering a dry-baked flavor I hadn’t had in a while. Though the interior is a bit cramped, there’s air conditioning, making it quite comfortable even in the summer heat.

Last time I tried a roll at Wang Ji Tofu Roll, I thought it was pretty good. The Jiangsu-style tofu rolls are wider and flatter. Since tofu tends to release moisture, the wrapper is softer and moister, though not soggy. It’s filled with a bit of celery, cabbage, and other ingredients for added flavor. I actually prefer the ones from Wang Ji—the wrapper is crispier and the filling has a richer taste, especially with the aroma of pan-fried tofu pieces.

Of course, I had to try the chive pockets. The baked wrappers are thin, fragrant, and have the chewiness of steamed dough, while the chives aren’t tough like they can be in summer. They’re mixed with pressed tofu, crumbled egg, and glass noodles, with just a touch of oil—refreshing and simple.

Even better, in my opinion, were the sour cabbage pockets. Most of the filling consists of finely chopped, crispy sour cabbage stems, mixed with glass noodles. The overall texture is great, and the flavor is well-balanced—tangy, sweet, and mildly spicy. It’s delicious and really stimulates the appetite.

Toward the end, almost done eating, they suddenly brought out a plate of pork pies. I’d forgotten I’d ordered these earlier. One bite and I thought they were fantastic. Other pockets might be pre-baked, but perhaps because fewer people order the pies, they’re made fresh and served hot. The cross-section is juicy with meat, and the wrapper is especially flaky. Though it looks like a simple scallion pork filling, the meat is tender, juicy, and not greasy at all. It’s great on its own, and even better with a bit of the shop’s garlic soy sauce.

Jiangsu Vegetable Box Shop
Address: No. 6, Lane 3, Alley 216, Section 3, Zhongxiao East Road, Da’an District, Taipei City
Business hours: 10:40 AM – 8:00 PM (Closed on Sundays)

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