Taiwanese cuisine is renowned for its vibrant flavors, hearty comfort foods, and diverse ingredients that reflect the island’s rich cultural history. From fragrant braised dishes to fresh vegetable stir-fries, every recipe from Taiwan tells a story of tradition and family. Taiwanese home cooking offers a delightful array of meals that bring families together around the dinner table. In this article, we explore eight authentic recipes that showcase the essence of Taiwanese culinary tradition. Whether you’re looking for vegetarian options or hearty meat dishes, each recipe from Taiwan is designed to be accessible, flavorful, and perfect for sharing with loved ones.
The Classic Taiwanese Family-Style Dinner
A typical Taiwanese family dinner is a harmonious blend of various dishes, each offering unique flavors and textures. The concept revolves around shared plates, where everyone enjoys a variety of dishes—from meat stews and vegetable stir-fries to soups—accompanied by steamed rice. This communal approach emphasizes balance, diversity, and comfort, making the meal both satisfying and culturally meaningful. To recreate this experience at home, you can prepare a selection of the following recipes, which are staples in Taiwanese households. These dishes are not only delicious but also reflect Taiwan’s culinary diversity, influenced by traditional Chinese cooking, indigenous ingredients, and Japanese and Southeast Asian influences.
The Classic Taiwanese Family-Style Dinner
A true Taiwanese dinner table features a medley of flavors—spicy, savory, sweet, and umami—served in generous portions. The centerpiece often includes slow-braised meats, flavorful vegetable dishes, and nourishing soups. To achieve this, consider preparing dishes like braised beef stew, sticky pork belly, and a fresh vegetable stir-fry. These recipes are designed to complement each other, creating a well-rounded meal that embodies the heart of Taiwanese home cooking. Incorporating seasonal vegetables and local ingredients further enhances authenticity and flavor. Now, let’s explore some of these iconic dishes in detail.
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Vegetarian Mapo Tofu 麻婆豆腐
Mapo tofu is a beloved Sichuan dish that Taiwanese households have embraced, often adapted to suit vegetarian diets. The dish features soft, silky tofu immersed in a spicy, savory sauce made from fermented bean paste, soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and chili oil. The key to a perfect Mapo tofu lies in achieving a balance between heat and umami, with a slightly numbing sensation from Sichuan peppercorns.
Ingredients:
- Firm tofu (preferably Chinese tofu), cut into small cubes
- Vegetable broth or water
- Fermented broad bean paste (doubanjiang)
- Garlic, minced
- Ginger, minced
- Scallions, chopped
- Chili oil
- Cornstarch slurry
- Sesame oil
- Vegetable oil
- Sichuan peppercorns, ground (optional)
- Vegetarian ground meat substitute (optional)
Preparation:
- Heat vegetable oil in a wok or deep pan. Add minced garlic and ginger, sauté until fragrant.
- Stir in the doubanjiang and cook for a minute to release its aroma.
- Add vegetable broth or water, and bring to a simmer.
- Gently add tofu cubes, letting them absorb the flavors. Simmer for 5-7 minutes.
- Mix the cornstarch slurry to thicken the sauce if needed.
- Drizzle with chili oil, sesame oil, and sprinkle with chopped scallions and ground Sichuan peppercorns.
- Serve hot over steamed rice.
This dish exemplifies Taiwanese adaptability—delicious and satisfying without meat, highlighting the island’s creative vegetarian cuisine.
Braised Taiwanese Instant Pot Beef Stew 紅燒牛肉
Taiwanese-style beef stew, known as “hong shao niu rou,” is a comforting dish characterized by tender beef chunks simmered in a savory soy-based sauce with aromatic spices. Using an Instant Pot significantly reduces cooking time while preserving rich flavors and tender meat.
Ingredients:
- Beef shank or brisket, cut into large chunks
- Onion, sliced
- Garlic, minced
- Ginger, sliced
- Star anise
- Cinnamon stick
- Soy sauce
- Dark soy sauce
- Shaoxing wine or rice wine
- Brown sugar
- Water or beef broth
- Scallions for garnish
- Oil
Preparation:
- Sauté onion, garlic, and ginger in the Instant Pot using the sauté function until fragrant.
- Add beef chunks and brown on all sides.
- Pour in soy sauces, Shaoxing wine, water, and add spices like star anise and cinnamon.
- Close the lid and set to “Meat/Stew” mode for 35-40 minutes.
- After cooking, release pressure naturally. Adjust seasoning if needed.
- Serve hot, garnished with scallions, alongside steamed rice or buns.
This dish’s deep flavors and melt-in-your-mouth tenderness make it a Taiwanese dinner staple, perfect for family gatherings or weeknight comfort food.
Sticky Pork Belly 紅燒肉
Pork belly is a prized ingredient in Taiwanese cuisine, especially when braised until tender and glazed with a sweet soy sauce mixture. The secret to perfect Hong Shao Rou lies in slow braising, which renders the fat and infuses the meat with rich flavors.
Ingredients:
- Pork belly, skin scored
- Soy sauce
- Dark soy sauce
- Shaoxing wine
- Brown sugar
- Water
- Ginger slices
- Star anise
- Cinnamon stick
- Garlic cloves
- Scallions
- Cooking oil
Preparation:
- Blanch pork belly in boiling water briefly to remove impurities, then drain.
- In a hot pot, add oil and sear pork belly until golden.
- Remove and set aside.
- In the same pot, sauté ginger, garlic, scallions, and spices.
- Return pork belly to the pot, add soy sauce, sugar, and water to cover.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce to low heat and simmer for at least 1.5 hours until the meat is tender and the sauce thickens.
- Serve sliced with steamed rice or as part of a larger meal.
The result is a melt-in-your-mouth dish with a perfect balance of sweetness, saltiness, and aromatic spices—an irresistible centerpiece for any Taiwanese dinner.
Stir-Fried Garlic Water Lily 青炒水蓮菜
Water lily, known for its crunchy texture and subtle flavor, is a popular vegetable in Taiwanese cuisine. Stir-fried with garlic, it makes a light yet flavorful side dish that pairs well with rice and other main courses.
Ingredients:
- Water lily stems and leaves, cleaned
- Garlic, sliced
- Oil
- Salt
- Water or broth for blanching
Preparation:
- Blanch water lily in boiling water with a pinch of salt for 1-2 minutes until tender-crisp.
- Drain and set aside.
- Heat oil in a wok, sauté garlic until fragrant.
- Add water lily and stir-fry for a few minutes.
- Season with salt, and serve immediately.
This dish highlights Taiwan’s appreciation for fresh, seasonal ingredients and simple preparation that preserves their natural flavors.
Healthy Tomato and Egg Stir-Fry 番茄炒蛋
A comfort food favorite, this dish features fluffy scrambled eggs combined with sweet, juicy tomatoes. It’s quick, nutritious, and widely loved in Taiwanese households.
Ingredients:
- Eggs
- Tomatoes, chopped
- Scallions
- Salt and pepper
- Sugar (optional)
- Oil
Preparation:
- Beat eggs with a pinch of salt.
- Heat oil in a pan and scramble eggs until just set, then remove.
- In the same pan, add a bit more oil, and sauté the tomatoes until soft.
- Return eggs to the pan, stir to combine.
- Season with salt and a pinch of sugar if desired.
- Garnish with scallions and serve with steamed rice.
This dish exemplifies simple, home-style cooking—quick to prepare and satisfying.
Stir-Fried Taiwanese Cabbage with Bacon 培根炒高麗菜
Cabbage stir-fried with crispy bacon is a flavorful side dish that blends smoky richness with fresh greens. It’s a common accompaniment in Taiwanese dinners.
Ingredients:
- Cabbage, chopped
- Bacon slices
- Garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper
- Oil
Preparation:
- Cook the bacon in a wok until crispy, then remove and set it aside.
- In the bacon fat, sauté the garlic until fragrant.
- Add cabbage and stir-fry until wilted and slightly caramelized.
- Crumble bacon over the top, season with salt and pepper.
- Serve hot.
This simple dish offers a satisfying combination of textures and flavors, perfect for balancing heavier dishes.
20 Minute Steamed Chicken 蒸蔥油雞
Steamed chicken with scallion oil is a classic Taiwanese dish celebrated for its tender meat and fragrant sauce. It’s a healthy, quick option for weeknights.
Ingredients:
- Whole or cut chicken
- Ginger slices
- Scallions
- Soy sauce
- Sesame oil
- Oil for scallion oil
- Salt
Preparation:
- Season chicken with salt, ginger, and steam for about 20 minutes until cooked through.
- Meanwhile, prepare scallion oil by heating oil and pouring over chopped scallions.
- Drizzle soy sauce and scallion oil over the steamed chicken.
- Serve with steamed rice and vegetables.
The simplicity and freshness of this dish make it a Taiwanese favorite.
In conclusion, Taiwanese home cooking is a beautiful blend of tradition, flavor, and community. Each of these recipes from Taiwan—ranging from hearty braised meats to light vegetable dishes—offers a glimpse into the island’s culinary soul. Whether you’re cooking for family or exploring Taiwanese cuisine for the first time, these dishes are versatile, satisfying, and rooted in authentic flavors that have been cherished for generations. Gather your ingredients, follow these simple steps, and enjoy a delicious recipe from Taiwan right in your own kitchen.
