Taipei lunch with BB — 火鸡肉饭套餐 (turkey rice set) + 卤肉饭 (lu rou fan) at NT$100. Two of the most iconic Taiwanese rice dishes on one bill.

We ordered:

火鸡肉饭套餐 (turkey rice set with side) — included
卤肉饭 (lu rou fan / braised pork rice) — included

Total: NT$100 (~SGD $4.50) for the combo.

Turkey rice (火鸡肉饭) is the Chiayi specialty that’s spread across Taipei via the family chains. Shredded turkey breast and thigh meat laid over short-grain rice, with the soy-and-shallot-oil rendered turkey-fat drizzle poured over the top. Tastes lighter than chicken rice because turkey meat has the leaner profile, but the shallot oil and turkey-fat rendering carries the flavour.

The proper version uses freshly shredded turkey from a slow-cooked bird, not the packaged deli-turkey shortcut. This bowl was the proper version — visible chunks of turkey with the slight texture variation that says hand-shredded, with the proper deep amber colour of the long-cooked turkey-fat oil coating each grain of rice.

A small portion of pickled vegetables and a slice of pickled radish came as the side. The pickled crunch is the proper palate cleanser against the rich rice.

Lu rou fan was the second bowl. Finely chopped pork belly braised in a deep five-spice and dark-soy sauce until the fat goes silky and the meat melts apart. Spooned over short-grain rice that’s absorbed some of the braising liquid. The classic Taiwanese braised pork rice.

The lu rou fan had the proper texture — meat-bits-and-fat ratio leaning slightly fatty (which is the right proportion), with the five-spice and dark-soy coming through clear against the rice. Half a tea egg, pickled mustard greens on the side.

NT$100 (~SGD $4.50) for the combo is honest Taipei pricing. Same dishes at Singapore Taiwanese chains run double.

Overall: 4.5 / 5. 😋👍🏼 Excellent Taiwanese rice combo — would re-order any trip.

Original IG post