Three coins for a meal? Taipei’s 7 popular pan-fried buns with juicy fillings that burst in your mouth

▲ The shengjian buns at Shipai Mall Night Market have a golden, crispy bottom and are absolutely delicious. (Photo/IG@chenfa1976provided)

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

Can you really have a meal in Taipei for just three coins? ETtoday EBC News specially compiled a list of Taipei’s 7 popular pan-fried buns and shengjian buns. With their golden, crispy, slightly charred crusts and juicy, sweet fillings, they’re so delicious you won’t be able to stop at just one — perfect whether as a main meal or a snack.

Shipai Mall Shengjian Buns
Flavor: One flavor (cabbage + ground pork)
Price: NT$7 per bun, NT$20 for three
Address: In front of No. 29, Yumin 1st Rd, Beitou District, Taipei City

In business since 1990, located in Shipai Mall Night Market, the shengjian buns here are slightly smaller than regular pan-fried buns, with thinner skins and bottoms that are crisply seared. The filling consists of chopped cabbage and ground pork, which is delightfully sweet and juicy — a long-time favorite spot for locals who’ve been eating here since childhood.

Liu Family Pan-Fried Buns
Flavor: Leek, cabbage, fresh pork
Price: NT$13 per bun
Address: No. 195, Section 3, Tingzhou Rd, Zhongzheng District, Taipei City

Liu Family Pan-Fried Buns is a popular spot in the Gongguan area and has been around for 30 years. They sell both pan-fried buns and steamed buns, with the pan-fried ones coming in three flavors: fresh pork, cabbage, and leek. The fresh pork buns have a hearty filling; the cabbage ones are seasoned with dried shrimp and have glass noodles for texture, perfectly balancing the natural sweetness of the cabbage; the leek flavor also includes glass noodles and egg, giving it a delightfully crispy bite.

Jingmei Shanghai Shengjian Buns
Flavor: Vegetable bun, meat bun
Price: NT$12 per bun
Address: 1F, No. 55, Jingwen St, Wenshan District, Taipei City

Located in Jingmei Night Market, Jingmei Shengjian Buns always draws long lines in the evening. The shop uses four large griddles to fry two types of pan-fried buns. The vegetable buns are stuffed with cabbage and leeks — even better without sauce, letting you taste the fresh, crisp sweetness of the greens. The meat buns are filled with pork, cabbage, and scallions, offering a juicy yet not greasy bite.

▲ Long lines form for Muzha Pan-Fried Buns. (Photo/IG@____1213provided)

Muzha Pan-Fried Buns
Flavor: Leek bun, corn & fresh pork, fresh pork
Price: NT$14 per bun
Address: No. 25, Section 1, Zhinan Rd, Wenshan District, Taipei City

Pan-fried on both sides until golden and crispy, the aroma of the dough fills the air. The fresh pork flavor features a Q-textured filling that bursts with juice; the corn & fresh pork variety adds a sweet note that kids especially love; the leek version includes glass noodles, and the rich leek aroma pairs wonderfully with them.

Zhong Ji Original Shanghai Shengjian Buns
Flavor: Cabbage bun, fresh pork bun
Price: NT$12 per piece
Address: No. 38, Xiaodong Street, Shilin District, Taipei City

There are many small Shengjianbao (pan-fried pork buns) stalls in Shilin Night Market, most of which are fairly good, but many netizens and locals highly recommend Zhong Ji Original Shanghai Shengjianbao. The freshly pan-fried buns are juicy and scalding hot, with a slightly thick dough and a crispy yet chewy bottom. There are two flavors in total: the cabbage bun has a filling made of Lishan cabbage and mushrooms, offering a crisp texture with a hint of sweetness; the pork bun is filled with pork and green onions, bursting with meat juice and very hot.

▲ A spicy chicken bun that's hard to find elsewhere—generous in chicken filling and very substantial. (Photo / Reporter Li Zi Yi)

Legendary Shengjianbao
Flavors: Cabbage bun, bamboo shoot pork bun, pickled vegetable pork bun, chive pork bun, pork bun, chive vermicelli bun, spicy chicken bun
Price: NT$14 per piece (spicy chicken bun NT$17)
Address: No. 1, Lane 5, Section 1, Nangang Road, Nangang District, Taipei City

Located in the Nangang area, Legendary Shengjianbao offers more diverse flavors compared to typical Shengjianbao, with each variety generously filled. The most distinctive flavor is the spicy chicken bun. The bottom is seared to a crisp, and the filling includes spicy chicken, bamboo shoots, and meat, offering a mildly spicy and very tasty bite.

Lao Cai Shengjianbao
Flavors: Pork bun, cabbage bun, chive bun
Price: NT$13 per piece (NT$16 inside department stores)

Those who enjoy Shengjianbao have likely heard of Lao Cai Shengjianbao, which has many branches visible in busy districts and even inside department stores. Most branches maintain a solid standard. The pork bun tastes sweet and savory, while the cabbage bun includes vermicelli, making it quite filling—smaller eaters like girls often feel full after just two.