Hidden gems off the menu: scallion pancake stuffed with vegetables, featuring crispy-thin dough and hearty fillings

▲The scallion pancake stuffed with vegetables, not listed on the menu, is likely an early military dependents’ village-style dish—made by stuffing leftover dishes from the previous night into a scallion pancake. Over time, it has evolved into a uniquely flavorful specialty. The pancake is thin and crispy, and overall, it’s quite delicious.

Photos & Text /Shadow


The Guomao Roundabout in Zuoying is truly a battleground for Chinese-style breakfast spots. After trying Lailai Breakfast and Meihong Soy Milk, fellow enthusiasts and the owner of Meihong recommended Mengji Breakfast nearby as another popular local favorite. Naturally, we couldn’t miss it and made plans to visit right away on a holiday.

Mengji’s storefront is right along the main route to the Guomao Traditional Market, so it’s not as spacious as the shops around the roundabout. Shoppers and breakfast-goers crowd the narrow alley, creating a lively and bustling atmosphere.

While all these spots serve traditional Chinese breakfasts, each has its own unique offerings that attract different crowds, maintaining a three-way rivalry over the years. At Mengji, for example, their scallion pancake with egg and vegetables is similar in concept to the pocket scallion pancakes at Haiqing Wangjia.

Meihong Soy Milk is famous for its egg crepes with pickled vegetables, while Lailai Breakfast is known for its buns. Though the breakfast items may seem similar, slight differences keep foodies coming back to try them all.


Checking the menu prices, breakfast here is pretty standard for the area, with pancakes, stuffed pastries, and pan-fried buns being the specialties.


The scallion pancake stuffed with vegetables isn’t on the menu, and I forgot how much it cost, but it’s similar to Wangjia’s version—though not as good, possibly because Wangjia’s includes fish cake slices and sauces.

Cabbage pan-fried buns are 12 NT, chive pan-fried buns are 12 NT. The pan-fried buns in the military dependents’ village are all quite generous in portion, whether at Lailai or Meihong, making them feel like great value. If you have a big appetite, getting one of each flavor would be quite satisfying.


The bun dough is soft with a touch of sweetness, and the fillings are incredibly rich. For both cabbage and chive flavors, the cabbage retains a crisp texture and is enhanced with dried shrimp aroma—my personal favorite. The chive buns include vermicelli and crumbled tofu, with a unique chive fragrance that lingers in the mouth. Chive lovers shouldn’t miss these.


Three-treasure meat buns are 8 NT. The “three treasures” refer to a filling of cabbage, vermicelli, and ground pork. With a mix of veggies and meat, the flavor is rich, and I think it’s tastier than plain meat buns.

Scallion pancake is 20 NT. The shop’s scallion pancake also left a deep impression on us—the dough is soft yet packed with the aroma of flour and scallions. A sprinkle of salt and pepper makes it just as good as specialty scallion pancake shops, definitely worth a try.


Savory soy milk is 20 NT. I thought Meihong’s savory soy milk was already perfect for our tastes, but Mengji’s is even closer to what we like. There’s no strong sourness, just the thick texture of savory soy milk, paired with youtiao (fried dough sticks), shredded radish, and dried shrimp for added aroma and texture. If you don’t like sour savory soy milk, this version is a great alternative.


Soy milk is 10 NT. I expected a cup, but it came in a bowl as hot soy milk. Though the bean aroma isn’t overpowering, it’s not overly sweet either—cheap and filling.

Mengji Breakfast is actually on par with several well-known Chinese breakfast spots in the Zuoying military dependents’ villages. Each shop serves its loyal customers in the Guomao community, and the healthy competition offers more choices for consumers—a very positive situation. For those who love the Zuoying military dependents’ village vibe, come early to Guomao to try the unique breakfast flavors here. Highly recommended.

【Mengji Breakfast】

Address:No. 3, Lane 1, Guofeng Street, Zuoying District, Kaohsiung City
Phone:0926-562136
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