Taitung, a small city filled with sunshine and warmth, boasts not only magnificent natural scenery but also a rich and diverse food culture. Among them, "Jun Huo Ku Wax Gourd Braised Pork Rice," located in Taitung City, is deeply loved by local residents and tourists for its unique sauce wax gourd flavor and generous portions, becoming a veritable popular store.
Ximending is the oldest developed area in Taipei. It's a place where delicious food gathers, with everything from traditional snacks to foreign cuisine. Today, I'm going to recommend a long-established roast meat shop that has a long queue every lunchtime - "Fengcheng Roasted Delights". Not only is the roast meat at this restaurant delicious, but the price is also very reasonable. It's the first choice for lunch for many office workers and students!
Besides offering services like rest areas, gas stations, and shopping for travelers, Taiwan's freeway rest stops have also developed a unique "food culture." The most iconic example of this is the "wall lunchbox."
These hidden gems of commoner cuisine are typically located in inconspicuous corners along the rest stop walls. Without fancy decorations or menus, they conquer the stomachs of countless travelers and truck drivers with their affordable prices and home-style flavors.
Speaking of "wall lunchboxes," we can't forget the two "lunchbox strongholds" of Xinying Rest Stop and Xiluo Rest Stop. Each has its own unique style and dishes, attracting different gourmets to taste. This time, I will become a food correspondent and actually visit these two rest stops to have a Highway Lunchbox Showdown!
P.S. The materials for this project were collected along the way. There might be discrepancies between the photos taken at the time of purchase and the actual prices now. However, the prices shared in the article are the latest information as of the time of publication. Please refer to them accordingly.
Xinying Rest Stop Representative: The Exit Bento
Price: 85 NTD
Features: Grilled meat main courses, traditional side dishes.
Highlights: Quick and convenient, perfect for travelers in a hurry.
Drawbacks: The main course and side dishes were just okay. The chicken leg could be mistaken for a pork chop, and it lacked a memorable element.
This bento shop, located at the south and northbound exits of Xinying Rest Area, has no signboard or name, just a simple tin-roofed shack. It offers four flavors: fried codfish, braised pork belly, grilled pork chop, and grilled chicken leg bento, all for a uniform price of 85 NTD.
In addition to bento boxes, they also sell a variety of beverages here. However, to prevent drunk driving, they do not offer Bali Da or similar energy drinks containing alcohol. Also, because the bento boxes are made off-site, they do not offer extra rice. Free chili peppers and soup are available. Business hours are from 8:30 am to 6:30 pm. Closed on Sundays and national holidays.
I ordered the grilled chicken leg bento, but the chicken leg was sliced thinly before grilling, making it look very similar to the pork chop. To be honest, I initially thought the owner had given me the wrong order! Although this method allows the chicken leg to be cooked more easily, it lacks the satisfaction of biting into a whole chicken leg. The side dishes include three kinds of seasonal vegetables and a fried egg. Overall, the main course is a bit weak.
Xiluo Rest Stop Representative #1: The Descending Lunchbox
Price: 80 NTD
Features: Abundant side dishes, home-style flavors.
Highlights: A wide variety of side dishes, generous portions, and the fun of experiencing the unique descending delivery method. The main course is substantial, and the side dishes are diverse.
Drawbacks: You need to wait for the lunchbox to be lowered, and it's difficult to specify your preferred dish. Located near the wall by the truck parking lot, first-time visitors may need to ask a truck driver for directions.
The "descending lunchbox" at Xiluo Rest Stop is quite famous. Many people specifically visit Xiluo Rest Stop just to experience this special way of getting their meal. The vendor packs the lunchbox in a basket and lowers it to the ground using a rope. This unique "descending" ritual adds a lot of fun to the dining experience.
This lunchbox now costs 80 NTD. When I got it, it felt heavy. Although I didn't specify the flavor that day, the braised pork and salted fish paste main dish was already full of sincerity. There were also 5 kinds of side dishes. No wonder so many truck drivers highly recommend it!
Although the braised pork in the main course this time was a bit fattier, it did not affect its deliciousness. The taste of the descending lunchbox is a bit on the heavier side, probably considering the taste and physical needs of the truck drivers.
Xiluo Rest Stop Representative #2: Xindongyang Lunchbox
Price: 75 NTD (Surprise! Even cheaper than the descending lunchbox!)
Features: Officially produced, quality guaranteed, great value.
Highlights: The chicken legs are flavorful and substantial, the side dishes are nutritionally balanced, and the value for money is amazing! Sold by an official entity, with a unified invoice for business trip reimbursement.
Drawbacks: It seems that currently only chicken leg flavor is available.
The official "Xindongyang Lunchbox" at Xiluo Rest Stop has recently launched a super attractive offer. For only 75 NTD, you can enjoy a delicious chicken leg lunchbox! Compared to the "descending lunchbox" with its commoner style, the "Xindongyang Lunchbox" is more refined in both packaging and dishes. The braised chicken leg is especially mouthwatering.
After opening the lunchbox, I found that the arrangement inside was almost identical to the descending lunchbox. A quick count shows that in addition to the main course, there are also 5 side dishes. The key point is that it's 5 NTD cheaper and comes with an invoice, giving you a chance to win 2 million NTD. This value for money is simply off the charts.
The side dishes include two slices of large sausage, a piece of dried tofu, and three kinds of seasonal vegetables, making it nutritionally complete. There is also spicy dried radish for everyone to eat with rice.
Final Evaluation: Overall, the "Xindongyang Lunchbox" at Xiluo Rest Stop successfully won the championship of this "Lunchbox Showdown" with its dual advantages of price and quality! Of course, everyone's taste and preferences are different. The "descending lunchbox" still occupies a place with its unique dining experience and abundant side dishes.
Personal Recommendations:
If you are looking for value for money and want to taste delicious braised chicken legs, then the "Xindongyang Lunchbox" at Xiluo Rest Stop is definitely the first choice!
If you want to experience the unique fun of the descending delivery method and like abundant side dishes, then the "descending lunchbox" at Xiluo Rest Stop is still worth trying.
If you just want to grab a quick bite and happen to be passing by Xinying Rest Stop, then the "wall lunchbox" is also an option to consider.
Next time you are driving and traveling, why not stop and personally taste these characteristic lunchboxes at highway rest stops? Maybe you will discover more hidden delicious surprises!
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