Taipei’s signature Hong Kong-style dim sum: the “Despairingly Delicious Rice” and melting-hot buttery pineapple bun

Text and photos bySan Gao Eats Chinese

Recently, I saw a post about this little shop on the Facebook page of a seasoned foodie. It mentioned that their char siu (barbecued pork) was quite good. After a quick online search, I found almost no one had shared a review, but the comments on the shop’s Facebook page were overwhelmingly positive. So, I added it to my “must-try” list and visited one afternoon. It’s not too far from Technology Building MRT Station.

The shop is called an American restaurant, but as soon as you step inside, it feels like a classic cha chaan teng (Hong Kong-style café). Aside from me, there was only one other table occupied in the afternoon. I browsed the menu, which featured many Western-style snacks—quite different from what you’d typically find at a cha chaan teng. Some items were on special during the afternoon tea period, so I ordered char siu rice with a half-boiled egg, a buttery pineapple bun with a drink.

I swapped the originally paired red bean ice for a yellow lemon 7-Up—a drink with a few slices of yellow lemon. I usually enjoy salty lemon 7-Up, but I found this one quite refreshing too, with plenty of lemon—very flavorful.

The presentation of the char siu rice was simple. The plate included some parsley and broccoli, plus a drizzle of honey glaze, which they said was for those who like their char siu a bit sweeter. I didn’t use it. When I cut into the half-boiled egg, I think many would immediately notice how different this char siu is from the kind commonly found at Taiwanese roast meat shops.

I’m not a fan of overly lean char siu—the slight fat content makes it more juicy and rich. This one was sliced thick and generous. At first glance, it looked a bit dry, but when I took a bite, the slightly leaner middle part was surprisingly tender, showcasing the balanced marbling of pork collar meat. The outer edge had a nice crispy, slightly fatty texture, giving off an appetizing roasted aroma. The color was deeper, not the overly red, cloyingly sweet char siu you sometimes see, but rather a well-balanced flavor of sweet, salty, and meaty richness.

Breaking the yolk of the half-boiled egg and mixing it into the rice with the sauce made for truly delicious “Despairingly Delicious Rice.”

The pineapple bun was also pretty great. It arrived hot enough, with a bread exterior that had a nice crispness. The butter was thick and satisfying—if it had been served on ice, allowing you to spread it into the bun yourself, it would’ve been even better.

For an afternoon meal like this, the total came to just NT$199—cheap and delicious. I chatted with the lady at the counter, and it seems the chef is also quite passionate about food (the char siu is homemade), which really shows in the care put into the dishes.

Hong Kong Global Cuisine American Restaurant
Address: No. 319, Section 2, Fuxing South Road, Da’an District, Taipei City
Business hours: 12:00 AM – 9:00 PM

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