Can't get it if you come late—the 70-year-old half-steamed, half-roasted, scorched-skin "pan-stuck buns" on Xiaosan Road, Keelung

On Xiaosan Road in Keelung, there are three soy milk shops alone, each with its own following. Zheng Shuncong, author of *The Scent of Keelung* and son-in-law to the city, swears by “Old Dai’s Soy Milk King.” “Their sesame pancakes are freshly baked, and their youtiao are fried to order—super crispy and soft.” If you come around 7 or 8 a.m., be prepared to queue. The best-selling item is the rice ball, which commuters grab on their way to work.

Photo/Text by Mirror Media Weekly

The freshly fried oil sticks sit on the sidewalk under the arcade. The boss, sporting a buzz cut and wearing a back brace, uses long chopsticks to flip each piece of dough as it turns from off-white to golden and bubbly. His expression is all business, but his youtiao are delightfully soft inside. Sandwiched in thin sesame pancakes with a slightly charred, savory flavor, they’re tender and delicious. The boss, surnamed Lin, is Old Dai’s nephew by marriage. He took over after returning from military service and has spent over 20 years steeped in this 45-year-old shop. “My youth is all in here,” he says, hands on hips, smiling.

This article is published by HowToTrip. Sharing and reposting are welcome — please credit the source.
Article URL: https://www.howtotrip.net/views-28419