When Yilan families host a banquet, the menu may change — but Xiluo braised pork medley is always on it. A large, steaming bowl of thickened broth arrives at the table, with napa cabbage cooked until it practically dissolves, pork shreds and shiitake mushrooms tucked inside, and a layer of golden fried duck egg crumbles on top. One scoop with a spoon, and the aroma of the crispy egg hits first. This unassuming-looking dish represents the kind of labored skill that Yilan people take seriously from home kitchens to formal banquets.
What is Xiluo Braised Pork Medley?
Xiluo braised pork medley (Se-lo-bah) is one of Yilan's signature hand-crafted dishes. The base is napa cabbage and bamboo shoot strips simmered until completely tender, combined with pork shreds, shiitake mushrooms, dried shrimp, dried flatfish, wood ear mushrooms, and other ingredients, braised in a stock and lightly thickened with starch. Just before serving, freshly fried duck egg crumbles are poured over the top. The name 'xiluo' is thought to derive from a Japanese word for braised cooking, though the technique has been fully localized. The flavor is savory-umami with a smooth, silky texture, and it is typically presented in a large communal pot — a warming centrepiece at banquets, holiday gatherings, and family reunions.
Sihai Ju Snack Shop near Beiguan Market in Yilan City has been operating since the 1920s and is recorded in the National Cultural Memory Bank as one of the representative old establishments for Xiluo braised pork medley — one of the few places where you can still order a full traditional version in a small eatery. The Lanyang Plain's abundant produce and deep-rooted hosting culture gave rise to Xiluo braised pork medley: layering everyday ingredients through multiple steps captures the Yilan banquet spirit of 'humble ingredients, serious technique.' Along with gaozha and date cake, it stands as a representative of Yilan's hand-crafted dishes.
How to eat it like a local
Local knowledge
Verified sources (sponsored content filtered out)
- The National Cultural Memory Bank records Sihai Ju Snack Shop in Yilan City and its Xiluo braised pork medley, an official cultural data platform entry.
- Xiluo braised pork medley is listed by Yilan County as a representative traditional banquet dish, alongside gaozha and date cake among the hand-crafted dishes.
- Sihai Ju has operated near Beiguan Market since the 1920s — over a century in business, with more than three generations of family succession.
Visitor tips
- Xiluo braised pork medley is thickened and moderately high in sodium. Those with blood pressure concerns should eat more of the ingredients and less of the broth.
- Sihai Ju often has a wait for tables during weekend lunch hours. If you are a small group, browse the market first and circle back.
- The thickened sauce separates on takeaway, affecting texture. Eat it on-site whenever possible; the duck egg crumbles also lose their appeal once cold.
Information compiled from the Yilan County Government's Bureau of Commerce and Tourism, local township farmers' associations, and large-scale public reviews. Sponsored listings have been filtered out. Photos will be replaced with channel-exclusive footage after Dio's on-site shoot.