Eat them even in wind and rain: The top 10 must-try buns in Taiwan that netizens say you'll regret missing out on

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

Recently, when Typhoon Megi hit, a photo of an aunt braving the wind and rain—even with her umbrella blown inside out—just to eat a bun, might have stirred your craving for one. But with so many bun shops around, which one should you choose? Don’t worry—DailyView Network Temperature MeterBased on online popularity, we’ve compiled a list of Taiwan’s top 10 most popular buns. Come and enjoy these delicious treats with us through our guide.

▲ Klin Taiwan Buns. (Photo / NetizenRyouko is also – Food & TravelProvided. Please do not reproduce without permission to avoid copyright infringement.)

No.10 Shiwei Buns
                                                                              &很长的一段空格 Hidden in Baishou Market near Xinzhuang Station on the Taipei Metro, Shiwei Buns is a 20-year-old shop known for its authentic ingredients and diverse flavors. Even their priciest options, like the Sesame Cheese and Taro Cheese buns, are only NT$25—super affordable—which explains why they have such a loyal following.

No.9 Jinshi Lake Pork Buns
                               

No.8 Gongzheng Steamed Buns
When it comes to Hualien, you absolutely can't miss the famous Gongzheng Steamed Buns. They're a must-try on many travelers' lists. At just NT$5 per tiny bun, foodies find it hard to stop at just one. However, due to staff shortages, earlier this year the shop switched from being open 24 hours to closing at 7 PM, leaving many night owls lamenting the loss of a late-night snack option.

▲ Donghe Steamed Buns. (Photo credit: netizen r2395507)

No.7 Donghe Steamed Buns
Another well-known steamed bun spot in Taitung, Donghe Steamed Buns is located along Provincial Highway 11 in East Taiwan and is always bustling with visitors on weekends who come specifically for its fame. Their signature pork buns, bamboo shoot buns, and pickled vegetable buns are all NT$20 each. With their soft exteriors, a single bite releases the aroma of soy sauce and the savory flavor of pork, especially when paired with a bowl of pork rib and bitter melon soup, making them an unforgettable treat.

No.6 Laochengzhen Pork Buns
Laochengzhen Pork Buns can be considered a famous local specialty of Lukang in Changhua. A single mushroom and pork bun only costs NT$15, and even the most expensive seafood scallop bun is just NT$20. In this era of soaring prices, that's pretty affordable. The owner uses fresh hind leg pork and a bit of diced mushrooms. With each bite, you can enjoy juicy, non-greasy meat broth, paired with a bun skin made from dough kneaded to the perfect texture—offering a refined mouthfeel.

▲ Klin Taiwan-Style Buns. (Photo / Screenshot fromKlin Taiwan-Style BunsOfficial Facebook page)

No.5 Klin Taiwan-Style Buns
Tainan has long been known as the food capital of Taiwan, and among its local delights, Klin Taiwan-Style Buns, which has been around for over 60 years, is a household name. Its signature “Eight-Treasure Pork Bun” features a filling of fresh pork, shiitake mushrooms, and egg yolk, offering quite the “generous” portion. Beyond that, there are also spicy stinky tofu buns, mushroom buns, soft-center sesame buns... and a variety of other flavors.

No.4 Wanchuan Bakery
Established in the 10th year of the Tongzhi reign during the Qing Dynasty, Wanchuan Bakery is a historic shop with over 140 years of heritage—it's the oldest traditional bakery in Tainan, specializing in both Han-style and Taiwanese pastries and snacks. Among its bestsellers, the pork bun contains a whole preserved duck yolk and a large shiitake mushroom. It attracts numerous food enthusiasts who come specifically for it. The pork buns from Wanchuan are quite hearty—you can feel their substantial weight just by holding one.

▲ Black Cat Buns. (Photo / Photo credit: netizen boomboomchenjenny)

No.3 Black Cat Buns
When people talk about Hsinchu, most think of rice noodles and meatballs, but actually, the century-old Black Cat Buns located on Beimen Old Street in front of Hsinchu City’s City God Temple—with five generations of family legacy—are also one of Hsinchu’s top ten refined local gifts. They use specially selected aged dough to give the buns a fragrant, chewy, and Q-textured exterior. The filling is made with black pork from live pigs, where the fat is braised for three hours before being mixed with lean meat. This method ensures the filling is juicy and rich without being overly greasy.

▲Luo Ji Minxiong Meat Buns. (Photo /Ba Zi Buuzkuo’s Food & Travel AtlasProvided. Please do not take photos without permission to avoid copyright infringement.)

No.2 Luo Ji Minxiong Meat Buns
What?! A bun shop that’s open 24 hours? Comparable to a convenience store in the world of buns, Luo Ji Minxiong Meat Buns not only sells steamed buns but also egg pancakes, pan-fried spaghetti, sandwiches... and more. Operating locally for 50 years, their popular item “Yolk Minxiong Meat Bun” costs just 25 NTD each. Hidden beneath the bun is a whole egg yolk. The savory, sandy texture of the salted egg yolk pairs perfectly with the lean meat and dried bamboo shoot filling inside—neither too greasy nor too dry.

▲Jinhua Xuan Beinan Bao Zi Shop. (Photo / netizenBig Hand Holding Little Hand. Fun Fun Fun!!!Provided. Please do not take photos without permission to avoid copyright infringement.)

No.1 Jinhua Xuan Beinan Bao Zi Shop
Located on Taitung’s main street, Jinhua Xuan Beinan Bao Zi Shop is practically a childhood memory for many locals. Starting as a small street stall over 30 years ago, it has built up a loyal customer base. Every holiday attracts large crowds, and you might even have to line up for a number to get your buns. Their popular “Diced Bamboo Shoot Meat Bun” features lean meat with big chunks of bamboo shoot—you can really taste the texture and natural sweetness. The meat filling has just the right amount of saltiness. Together with the chewy yet soft skin, one bite makes you want another.