A Breakfast by Chance
I used to occasionally take the high-speed rail when visiting Miaoli, but it was usually later in the day, so I rarely had the chance to eat near the station. Typically, a relative would pick me up, leaving no opportunity for a stopover. However, this time, I had to go back to my old home in Miaoli for some matters and took an early morning train. The high-speed rail station is in Houlong Township, so I rented a shared car. While driving, I realized I hadn't had breakfast yet, and I noticed a breakfast place across the street with a long line of people. Curious about what was attracting so many customers, I decided to check it out. This felt like a place only locals would know about; outsiders probably wouldn't travel this road.
The shop is called Beishi Shuijianbao (Pan-fried Buns), but the characters for "Shuijianbao" and "Xiaolongbao (Steamed Dumplings)" are much larger than the shop name itself. The name doesn't stand out much!
The prices were surprisingly low, and when you see the portion sizes, you'll be even more amazed. Such prices are unimaginable in Taipei. The cost-performance ratio is excellent. Even if you don't opt for the priciest item, the Xiaolongbao (NT$70), eating two Shuijianbao (NT$25 each) would be more than enough to fill you up.
Many customers were ordering several baskets of Xiaolongbao to take away. Since they are freshly wrapped and steamed, there's a wait time, so the staff would ask if you're okay with waiting and how long it might take. Outside, they steam the Xiaolongbao and fry the egg pancakes and radish cakes, while the Shuijianbao and potstickers are handled in the kitchen and then placed in a warming box.
Don't miss out on the sauce—it’s a must-add! They’re incredibly generous with it, and many people scoop out a big spoonful.
The dough is on the softer side, not the crispy type you might expect from pan-fried buns. It has a texture more like thick dumpling skin. The filling is plentiful and bursts out with the first bite. Honestly, someone with a smaller appetite might feel full after just one. Each bun is at least twice the size of what you'd find in Taipei, if not more.
The Xiaolongbao were unexpectedly fresh and sweet, with a bit of broth inside. The seasoning is mild, with no strong meat flavor, and pairs well with ginger and soy sauce. For this price, it's really good. It's easy to see why many people buy several baskets to take home. The only downside is that the seating area is small, so most customers opt for takeout. Some people have mentioned the staff can be rude, but we didn’t encounter that.
北勢水煎包
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