So adorable—6 must-try artisanal steamed bun shops you won’t want to eat

Tourism Center / Comprehensive Report

Steamed buns are an indispensable part of Chinese breakfast. On a winter day, biting into a warm, fluffy bun not only warms your body but also fills you up. But did you know steamed buns can also transform into cute shapes?Ettoday Eastday Travel Cloudhas compiled a list of six shops across Taiwan that offer uniquely shaped steamed buns—even one featuring the Earth God himself!

▲ Mama Wang’s Steamed Bun Workshop. (Photo / fromMama Wang’s Steamed Bun Workshop fan page)

1. Mama Wang’s Steamed Bun Workshop
Mama Wang’s Steamed Bun Workshop is a vegetarian-focused steamed bun shop. Using plant-based ingredients, they create incredibly lifelike and delicious buns. Their most famous offering is the rose bun, made with special ingredients such as pumpkin, giving the bun a rich pumpkin aroma throughout. And then there are the sesame buns that look like little rocks—the shop toasts the sesame seeds, grinds them into powder themselves, and uses handcrafted methods to ensure the aroma bursts through. Come try these delicious and adorable steamed buns at Mama Wang’s!

Address: 2F, No. 12, Lane 62, Fushan St., Xizhi District, New Taipei City, Taiwan
Operating Hours: Monday–Friday: 09:00–18:00
Phone: (02) 2640-5553
Fan Page

▲ Tsai Family Handmade Buns & Steamed Buns. (Photo / fromTsai Family Handmade Buns & Steamed Buns fan page)

2. Tsai Family Handmade Buns & Steamed Buns
Known as the first shop in Taiwan to offer character-shaped baozi and steamed buns, the Tsai Family has been awarded third place for Keelung City’s best souvenir gift. Their skills are certainly top-notch. Various cartoon character designs come to life on the surface of their buns. Compared to cupcakes, steamed buns offer full-form modeling, making them more realistic. They’ve also recently launched a limited-edition Year of the Monkey series, featuring both baozi and steamed buns, adding a playful charm that makes them hard to eat!

Address: No. 15, Wufeng S. Rd., Chiayi City, Taiwan
Operating Hours: Monday–Saturday: 08:00–18:00
Phone: (05) 222-3061
Fan Page

▲ Lü Ji Cuisine. (Photo / fromLü Ji Cuisine – Rose Steamed Buns fan page)

3. Lü Ji Cuisine
Lü Ruibin, a pastry chef based in Dashu, Kaohsiung, has crafted rose-shaped steamed buns out of the ordinary. These buns look so realistic it's as if you’re watching roses bloom. Currently, they offer six flavors of rose steamed buns: Black Rose symbolizing first love, Sweet Rose representing sweet memories of puppy love, Romantic Rose capturing the feeling of being in love, Longing Rose expressing yearning, Vitality Rose for a healthy boost, and Cheese Rose bursting with milky flavor. By using different ingredients, they showcase diverse styles of steamed buns, making these “Rose Steamed Buns” a viral online hit.

Address: No. 8, Lane 3, Hudi, Jiu Tang Rd., Dashu District, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan
Phone: 0979566518
Business Hours: Open daily until around 10:00 AM – closes at 7:30 PM
Facebook Page

▲ Quanji Handmade Steamed Buns. (Photo / Reposted fromQuanji Handmade Steamed Buns Facebook Page)

4. Quanji Handmade Steamed Buns
What?! They even have steamed buns shaped like the Earth God? That’s right — Quanji Handmade Steamed Buns in Taitung is also famous for its uniquely shaped buns, and even offers custom designs. Whether it’s Hello Kitty or SpongeBob, all come to life under the skilled hands of the shop owners. The most special is the Earth God-shaped bun: the chibi-style deity brings smiles and feels full of blessings. Gifting one during the holidays not only delights the giver but also fits the joyful festive atmosphere.

Address: No. 40, Lane 181, Gengsheng North Road, Taitung City
Business Hours: Monday to Friday 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Phone: 0989672856
Facebook Page

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