These days, the internet is full of buzz about cheap eats in Taipei—but let’s be real: not every so-called bargain meal lives up to the hype. Some are just plain underwhelming, and others aren’t even that affordable when you think about it. Calling something a budget bite when it costs nearly $3? Feels like a bit of a stretch. 😆
That’s why we’re excited to share a true hidden gem of Taipei street food—delicious, satisfying, and shockingly affordable: Lan Jia Gua Bao, tucked away in the bustling Gongguan Commercial District near National Taiwan University. This legendary spot serves up one of the best budget-friendly bites you can score for under $3!
| Lan Jia Gua Bao | |
|---|---|
| Opening Hours | 11:00am – 12:00am |
| Address | No. 3, Alley 8, Lane 316, Section 3, Roosevelt Road, Zhongzheng District, Taipei City, Taiwan |
If you’re a fan of Taiwanese street food, you’ve probably heard of the famous gua bao—also known as the “Taiwanese hamburger” or steamed pork belly bun. It’s a beloved snack or light meal that’s easy to find throughout Taiwan. Among the many gua bao shops in Taipei, Lan Jia Gua Bao is hands down one of the top must-visits.
Every time we pass by Lan Jia, there’s always a long line of eager customers waiting for their turn. But here’s a tip: if you have a little time to spare, skip the takeaway line and opt to dine in—you’ll often be seated surprisingly fast. The staff here are incredibly efficient, so even long queues move quickly. In our video below, we filmed how they assemble the buns—watch how fast and skilled they are!
Aside from their famous gua bao, Lan Jia also offers a variety of traditional Taiwanese comfort foods, including zongzi (traditional Taiwanese sticky rice dumplings), Four-Herb Pork Intestine Soup, thick vermicelli soup with braised pork, and corn and pork rib soup.
Special mention goes to their Four-Herb Pork Intestine Soup (四神湯), a classic Taiwanese herbal broth made with four traditional medicinal ingredients: Job’s tears (Chinese barley), Chinese yam, fox nuts (gorgon fruit), and lotus seeds—plus a generous helping of tender pork intestines. Many places skip the fox nuts to cut costs, but Lan Jia keeps it 100% authentic. 👍
And the corn and pork rib soup? Incredibly sweet and satisfying—perfectly balanced and comforting.
Oh—and did you know? Lan Jia Gua Bao was featured in CNN’s list of the “40 Must-Try Taiwanese Foods”. It’s earned international recognition for good reason!
If you haven’t tried Lan Jia Gua Bao yet, be sure to watch our episode below to see what the hype is all about. And for those who’ve already experienced it—you know it’s worth a revisit. 😋