Zhongzhen New Village is Taiwan's largest Yunnan-Burmese Lost Army military-dependents' community. Veterans from Yunnan and their descendants settled here and brought with them their hometown dough-food skills. The name po suo bao comes from the Yunnan dialect, meaning "the flaky layers break open." Through a layered pastry technique, the wrapper forms multiple thin sheets that split at first bite; both savory and sweet fillings have their own distinct character. This craft has become one of the most recognizable souvenirs from Zhongzhen Market.
What are Po Suo Bao
Po Suo Bao is a traditional Yunnan-province dough food made by a method similar to Chinese laminated pastry: water-oil dough wrapped around a fat-oil dough, folded and rolled repeatedly, then filled and either baked or steamed. The savory filling is typically pork, diced ham, and minced ginger; the sweet filling is red bean or date paste. The finished bun has a pale golden exterior; a light press with the hand reveals clearly layered, flaky layers, and flaking during eating is normal. The Zhongzhen Market version follows the Yunnan tradition without adapting it to Taiwanese tastes, retaining a high degree of authenticity.
Pingjhen's Zhongzhen New Village (present-day Longgang area) has housed the families of the Yunnan-Burmese Lost Army since the 1950s, with communities composed primarily of Yunnan, Burmese, and northern Thai immigrants. Zhongzhen Market consequently developed a Yunnan-Burmese food cluster unique in Taiwan: in addition to po suo bao, mi gan, pea jelly, and big thin slices all originate here. As the original veterans have gradually passed on, the second and third generations have continued the craft; some shops are still operating today, making this one of the most complete Yunnan food-preserving communities in Taiwan.
How to Eat It the Local Way
Local Knowledge
Verified Credentials
- The Yunnan-Burmese military-dependents' village history of Zhongzhen New Village is documented in the National Cultural Memory Bank; the historical context of the Lost Army settling in Pingjhen Longgang is clearly recorded.
- Multiple independent field reports — from Mirror Media, Lighttravel, and Vocus — have confirmed the current transmission status of po suo bao in Zhongzhen Market and the representative shops.
- Po Suo Bao is widely recognized as the signature souvenir of Zhongzhen Market, verified across multiple independent sources rather than claimed by any single shop.
Practical Tips
- Zhongzhen Market is busiest on Sundays. Stalls typically open in the morning, and some po suo bao vendors sell out and close early. Aim to arrive before 10 a.m.
- The market is in Longgang, Pingjhen District — roughly 20–25 minutes by car from central Taoyuan. Driving is more convenient than taking a bus; a parking lot is adjacent to the market.
- Some stalls are cash only. Bring small bills and coins; individual buns typically cost anywhere from a few coins to under a hundred NT dollars — quite affordable.
Sources: Mirror Media Yunnan-Burmese food feature, Lighttravel Zhongzhen Market report, Vocus feature article, National Cultural Memory Bank Zhongzhen New Village records. Photos pending Dio's on-site shoot.