A Sixty-Year-Old Alleyway Zongzi Shop Adds a Secret Weapon for Q Texture: Long-Aroma Rice

Text & Photos /Shadow

Hidden among the historic eateries of Yan Cheng’s Big Ditch Top is a nearly sixty-year-old zongzi shop—Sun Family Zongzi—situated in a small alley opposite Ah Up’s Spicy Snacks. My husband has vivid memories of this place from a visit years ago, though he couldn’t recall its exact location. It turns out to be just a stone’s throw from the 7-11 on Daren Road, less than a hundred meters away.

Stepping into the alley, you’ll see just how modest Sun Family Zongzi’s setup is—the shop occupies roughly a quarter of the walkway’s width, yet it’s been serving customers for nearly sixty years. If you’d like to dine in, grab a seat at the long table facing the wall. Due to space constraints, there aren’t many stoves or cooking tools, just a few simple condiments for customizing your meal. The zongzi are likely cooked elsewhere and then brought here to simmer in a large pot, covered with an aged, slightly yellow cloth to keep them warm.

Now in its third generation, Sun Family Zongzi has incorporated modern health-conscious ingredients, offering a diverse selection beyond the traditional vegetable and meat zongzi—now including wellness zongzi, mung bean zongzi, and lifestyle healthy meat zongzi.

Sun Family Zongzi is a southern-style zongzi, made by wrapping fillings in raw glutinous rice and then boiling them. The rice is chosen from older grains to avoid excess moisture, and seasoned with braised pork juice for extra aroma. We opted for takeout, and the shop kindly packed the peanut powder and sauces separately.

The Lifestyle Healthy Zongzi (NT$35) uses natural grains such as brown rice, black rice, millet, small barley, black beans, and red beans—totaling up to 13 types—along with pork shoulder, egg yolk, mushrooms, and snow lotus seeds. It looks no different from a regular zongzi, but it contains a secret weapon: long-aroma rice, which adds a Q texture without the stickiness of glutinous rice, making it easier on the stomach for those with digestive issues.

The Mung Bean Zongzi (NT$35) features a delicate exterior made from a blend of mung bean paste, barley, and Job’s tears instead of glutinous rice—a very new experiment. The Q texture is replaced by a soft, fluffy feel, which might take some getting used to. The filling still includes pork shoulder, egg yolk, and mushrooms, delivering full flavor without compromising on healthiness.

The Signature Meat Zongzi (NT$35) has been around for nearly sixty years, crafted using the recipe passed down from Grandma Sun. Following traditional methods, it uses aged long-grain glutinous rice and braised pork juice, with an aroma that rivals another local favorite, Guo Family Zongzi. The filling includes salted egg yolk, chestnuts, mushrooms, lean pork shoulder, and the secret weapon—pork lard sauce—that enhances the fragrance. The shop’s sauce is lightly sweetened, deliberately mild so as not to overpower the zongzi, and pairs perfectly with peanut powder—a southern specialty.

The Miso Soup (NT$10) is a light accompaniment to cut through the richness of the meat zongzi. It’s not particularly strong in flavor, with small pieces of tofu floating inside. But at such an affordable price, there’s little to complain about.

The photo shows the entrance on Daren Road. You can also approach from Xinle Street, though it’s a longer walk. The yellow sign at the Daren Road entrance is easy to spot.

In addition to its physical shop, Sun Family Zongzi offers delivery services. Interested customers can refer to the information in the photo above.

With a new generation of innovative concepts, the legacy of Sun Family Zongzi is being carried into a new era. This nearly sixty-year-old zongzi shop carries memories of Grandma, ensuring her craft continues to thrive. The health-focused wellness zongzi aligns with modern dietary preferences. Here, you’ll find nostalgic flavors and wholesome tastes—well worth a visit to Big Ditch Top to savor the joys of life under the tin-roofed shop.

[Sun Family Zongzi]

Address: Big Ditch Top, Daren Road, Yan Cheng District, Kaohsiung City
Phone: 07-5316736, 0939-638810
Business Hours: 09:30–19:30

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