Hop on the nostalgic train of railway bento boxes at the Wutao Chishang Bento Culture Story Museum

By Chi Bing-hui | Photos by Chi Bing-hui & Lai Pei-xuan

It’s unclear exactly when it started, but eating railway bento while on a train seems to have become a tradition. Visiting the Chishang Bento in Taitung has also become a must-do, almost like a local specialty—just as naturally as having “ah jian” (oyster omelet) in Tamsui. But the “Wutao Chishang Bento Culture Story Museum” is not just about selling bento boxes; it’s a vibrant exhibition space that combines the history of the bento. With interactive installations and retro decor, it feels like a nostalgic trip back to the days of rushing to catch a train and grabbing a quick meal, bringing back a flood of fond memories.

The history of the Chishang Bento dates back to 1939 (the 28th year of the Republic of China). Back then, steam trains took eight hours to travel from Hualien to Taitung. Chishang, being a stopover station, was where trains stopped to refill water and coal, and passengers could grab a bento made by a long-established local shop to stave off hunger. The early bento was a rice ball wrapped in bamboo leaves, topped with braised pork, pickled radish, grilled meat jerky, liver slices, lean meat slices, egg pancake, shrimp pancake, and plums. After several generations of refinement, wooden boxes were later used for packaging, making the rice more fragrant and chewy—and this became the signature feature of the Chishang Bento.

In 1999, the Jishan Group acquired the old Chishang shop and rebranded it as “Wutao Chishang Bento,” combining traditional bento culture with modern corporate management practices. They introduced ISO9001 and GSP management systems to sustainably promote Taiwan’s traditional bento culture. Later, they collaborated with the Chishang Township Office to establish the “Chishang Bento Museum,” which displayed the historical story of the bento. In 2009, the originally static exhibition was transformed into an interactive experience format. The vivid scenes made it more accessible and understandable, allowing visitors to feel the spirit and culture of the bento even as they enjoyed eating it. The museum was subsequently renamed the “Chishang Bento Culture Story Museum.”

The word “bento” is actually a loanword—the Taiwanese term is “rice pack” or “饭包”. Thanks to Chishang Township’s unique geographical environment, the rice grown there is of exceptional quality. Through the farmers’ dedication and continuous improvement, various cultivation methods have been developed over time. Wutao Chishang Bento, embodying the hardworking spirit of the Taiwanese people, faithfully presents the original flavors. The signature bento includes basic ingredients such as braised pork, signature pork, roast pork, sausage, young ginger, and marinated egg, as well as specially developed varieties such as fried chicken bento, chicken leg bento, shrimp roll bento, mackerel bento, and black beef bento.