Ba wan in Wanhua's Guangzhou Street takes a half-steamed, half-fried approach: the wrapper firms up in hot oil, glistening without being greasy. Bite through and the translucent, chewy shell gives way to a filling of pork and bamboo shoots, finished with a slick of sweet chili sauce — the quintessential street scene of Wanhua. Guangzhou Street Night Market clusters around Longshan Temple, and once the stalls light up after dark, ba wan is among the first items to sell out.
What is Ba Wan
Ba wan has a batter made from sweet potato starch mixed with tapioca starch. The filling — diced pork, bamboo shoots, shiitake mushrooms — is wrapped inside, shaped, then steamed until the skin sets. It is then either deep-fried at low temperature or kept warm by continued steaming. The finished product has a translucent, glossy skin that is chewy and soft without being sticky. The pork filling absorbs the braising liquid and stays flavorful; the bamboo shoots provide a contrasting crunch. It is served whole in a bowl, drizzled with sweet chili sauce and a little minced garlic, and eaten with a spoon.
The origins of ba wan are debated, but most accounts point to temple-entrance and market culture in central and southern Taiwan, with the Changhua and Tainan versions being the most celebrated. The Taipei Wanhua version was influenced by migrants from the south and adapted to local conditions, leaning toward half-steamed, half-fried for a smooth-skinned texture. Guangzhou Street Night Market lies next to Longshan Temple, and the temple-front culture amplifies foot traffic for street snacks. Here, ba wan forms a classic trio with oyster vermicelli and pig blood soup — an approachable starting point for visitors discovering Wanhua's food.
How to eat it the local way
Local knowledge
Objective background
- Ba wan is made with a sweet potato starch and tapioca starch skin, filled with pork, bamboo shoots, and shiitake mushrooms, steamed until set, then fried or kept warm by steaming. The skin is chewy and translucent; it is served with sweet chili sauce and is a common item at temple-front stalls and night markets across Taiwan.
- Guangzhou Street Night Market is adjacent to Longshan Temple and is one of the traditional night market culture hubs in the Wanhua district, with a dense concentration of stalls focused on traditional Taiwanese street food.
Practical tips
- Stalls on Guangzhou Street open progressively from around 5 p.m. Ba wan stalls typically close once they sell out; on weekends it is worth arriving on the earlier side.
- The area around Longshan Temple in Wanhua has a visible homeless population, which may catch first-time visitors off guard. Keep an eye on your belongings. Overall safety is on par with other tourist areas.
- Take the MRT to Longshan Temple Station and walk to Guangzhou Street. Parking is difficult; public transport is the better option.
Source: fieldwork on street food culture in Taipei's Wanhua district. Photos to be replaced with Dio's own shots.