Korean Elementary School "Shaky Bento" – Traditional Hometown Flavors at Arirang Village
▲ Traditional Shaky Bento was actually the metal lunchbox of Korean elementary school students in the past. (Photo / Reporter Huang Kexiang)
Reported by Chen Ziying / Taipei
In recent years, a "Korean wave" has swept through Taiwan’s culinary scene, with Korean restaurants popping up everywhere. However, not all of them serve authentic flavors. Located near the Zhishan MRT Station in Taipei, "Arirang Village" offers traditional home-style Korean dishes from rural Korea, full of that comforting mom-made taste. Among them, the "Shaky Bento," which first gained fame on Nami Island, is a classic everyday meal that Korean students used to bring to school.
"Back in the day, Korean elementary school students carried iron lunchboxes in their school bags. When they ran around, the rice inside would get all mixed up — that’s how the Shaky Bento got its name," says Mom Meng, the heart and soul of the shop. She recalls how every classroom had a charcoal stove, and the most exciting part was grilling your bento on it. A Korean-Chinese native of Incheon, Mom Meng grew up in a traditional rural village. At 26, she moved to Taiwan and deeply missed her hometown life and food. So, together with her son, she started by selling kimchi, spicy stir-fried rice cakes, and meal kits online, which quickly gained popularity among netizens. Six years ago, they officially opened "Arirang Village," allowing fans of Korean cuisine to enjoy hot, home-cooked Korean dishes in-store.
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The "Shaky Bento" is made by layering imported Korean mackerel, handmade kimchi, and a fried egg over white rice in a metal bento box. Cheese is added on top, and then the box is heated on a stove until the cheese melts and the bottom gets slightly charred. Then, using a purely manual shaking method, the box is shaken on all four sides — with some force — to mix everything together. After the hand-shaking process, when you open the lid, the aroma is irresistible. The slightly moist rice has bits of mackerel in every bite.
▲ After being manually shaken, the "Shaky Bento" opens to release a rich aroma, with tender, moist rice that includes bits of mackerel in every bite. (Photo / Reporter Huang Kexiang)
"Chuncheon Fried Chicken Cutlet" is a delicious dish Mom Meng tried while traveling in the Chuncheon area. After returning to Taiwan, she studied and refined the recipe. It uses boneless chicken thigh meat cut into chunks, marinated and stir-fried with rice cakes, fish cakes, sweet potatoes, and cabbage for 5 to 10 minutes, then drizzled with syrup. Generous in portion and packed with ingredients, the Chuncheon Fried Chicken Cutlet has a sweet flavor with tender, well-seasoned chicken.
▲ The "Chuncheon Fried Chicken Cutlet" is rich in texture, sweet, tender, and flavorful; the thick-cut "Seafood Pancake" features fresh oysters, shrimp, squid, and is even thicker than those found in Korea. (Photo / Reporter Huang Kexiang)
▲ Army Stew and spicy stir-fried rice cakes are also must-order items. (Photo / Reporter Huang Kexiang)
▲ A variety of authentic Korean side dishes all have that comforting mom-made taste. (Photo / Reporter Huang Kexiang)
【Arirang Village】
Address: No. 149, Fuhua Road, Shilin District, Taipei City
Phone: (02) 2838-3228
Business Hours: 11:30–14:00, 17:00–21:00 (Closed on Mondays)
Price Range: NT$140 to NT$240
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