Recommended by locals in Taichung! Traditional braised pork knuckle rice with rich-flavored ancient cane sauce

Text and photos byPurple Smile

Last time I stayed at the inhousehotel Taichung Branch near Zhongxiao Road in Taichung, I happened to be looking for food on Zhongxiao Road. A hotel staff member told me that the pork knuckle rice (or pork rice) here is incredibly delicious. Of course, we had to take the advice of a local, and when we checked online, it indeed had countless positive reviews. But it wasn’t until I actually ate it that I realized how true those words were — it’s truly a fantastic traditional eatery!

The shop has minimal decor, with not many tables and chairs apart from the work area.

These aged sauces are the soul of the shop!

The menu features common Taiwanese snacks, and the prices are quite reasonable.

We ordered pork knuckle rice, a large bowl of pig blood soup, and miso soup. The pork knuckle was served on a separate plate, and just by looking at it, you could tell it would taste amazing!! The skin was soft yet slightly chewy, and most importantly, incredibly flavorful. The lean meat was tender without being dry or tough — it practically melted in your mouth, and the broth paired perfectly with the rice.

The pig intestine and pig blood soup was also great. The intestines were tender and soft, falling apart with just a gentle bite.

The miso soup was pretty good too — salty with a hint of sweet aftertaste. There was plenty of ingredients in the bowl, and the tofu was very soft and tender.

There are clippings of reports from major media outlets on the walls, showing just how popular this place is.

We sat for a while, but many customers came in, all buying takeout to take home and add to their meals.

This “Today’s Pork Knuckle Rice (or Pork Rice)” truly lives up to its reputation!! It’s absolutely classic!

Today’s Pork Knuckle Rice (or Pork Rice)
Location: No. 256, Zhongxiao Road, East District, Taichung City (near Zhongxiao Night Market)
Phone: 04-22820999
Business Hours: 10:00–20:00

We are Purple Smile Ben & Jean — we love food, travel, photography, and gadgets.