Plump and generous filling — must-visit “super-popular zongzi shops” in northern, central, and southern Taiwan

▲Be sure to try the traditional snack “zongzi” during the Dragon Boat Festival to get into the festive spirit!

Reported by Chen Tzu-yin / Comprehensive report

“Zongzi, zongzi, don’t want zongzi…” This Hokkien song written by lyricist and composer Chang Chiu-tung-sung shows that “zongzi” in Taiwanese folk culture is not only a traditional snack but also reflects changes in social culture. During the Dragon Boat Festival, you must try zongzi with plump grains and rich, meaty fillings. With so many Taiwanese snack shops around, many of them sell “zongzi.” If you don’t have time to make zongzi yourself, no worries — visiting a popular snack shop to enjoy zongzi can both celebrate the festival and fill your stomach. ETtoday Dongxin News Cloud reporters have selected super-popular zongzi shops in northern, central, and southern Taiwan for netizens’ reference.

Taipei — Liu Family Zongzi
In the northern region, when talking about zongzi, you can’t forget “Liu Family Zongzi” from Shimen. In fact, Liu Family Zongzi is a zongzi shop with a 40-year history; it was formerly known as “Eighteen Kings’ Zongzi.” The founder started as a small street vendor selling “northern-style zongzi” with clearly separated rice grains. As the business grew, it has now become a dedicated zongzi shop with a central kitchen.
Features: Emphasizes the use of local Taiwanese ingredients such as round glutinous rice from Hualien, shiitake mushrooms from Xinshe in Taichung, pickled radish from Budai in Chiayi, and peanuts from Beigang in Yunlin; the rice has a distinct, separate grain texture, while the filling includes chewy pork belly, plump and large salted egg yolks, as well as dried shrimp, shiitake mushrooms, and chestnuts.

Address: No. 30, Zhongyang Rd., Shimen Township, Taipei County
Phone: (02) 2638-1088
Business hours: Weekdays 08:00–22:00; Holidays 08:00–22:00
Price: Signature zongzi, one piece for NT$45

Taichung — Yipin Zongzi
Taichung’s top-ranked “Yipin Zongzi” already has three branches. It won first place in the Golden Zongzi competition hosted by the Taichung City Government in 2006. When developing this zongzi, Yipin Zongzi reportedly invited 24 chefs and 15 mothers to continuously experiment and refine it into the famous “southern-style boiled zongzi” with a “homemade taste.”
Features: The rice has the soft texture of southern-style zongzi. The most famous signature zongzi includes lotus seeds, which make it especially refreshing to eat in summer.

Address: No. 464, Yingcai Rd., Taichung City
Phone: (04) 2329-3765
Business hours: Monday to Sunday 10:00–22:00
Price: Signature lotus seed zongzi, one piece for NT$60

Tainan — Ajuan Zongzi
This Ajuan Zongzi shop, located in a simple metal-roofed building, may look ordinary, but it is a zongzi shop recommended by many popular food bloggers. Bloggers describe it as offering “touching zongzi with a homemade taste.” Ajuan Zongzi, which often sees long queues early in the morning, sells southern-style zongzi. Compared to the previous two shops, Ajuan Zongzi adopts a more approachable and simple snack-shop style true to its name. Whether you casually grab a zongzi or pair it with a bowl of “stewed noodles,” you’ll leave full and satisfied.

Address: No. 83, Section 3, Guohua St., Tainan City
Phone: (06) 220-6812
Business hours: Daily 06:00–15:00
Price: Zongzi, one piece for NT$30; stewed noodles, one bowl for NT$50