Congee, Pork Cheek, and Crispy Pork Belly
by Zhouji Meat Porridge, Taipei, Taiwan
Zhouji Meat Porridge was one of the restaurants that kept coming up again and again when I was researching my trip to Taiwan. This old-school family-run restaurant in Taipei received a ton of praise online for their delicious crispy pork belly and hearty rice porridge. One morning, I took the MRT out to Longshan Temple Station to have breakfast at Zhouji Meat Porridge and to see if the restaurant lives up to all of its online hype.
The first dish I tried was crispy pork belly, one of the restaurant's signature dishes. The pork belly was thinly cut with much of the fatty part removed so as not to be too chewy. The pork was lightly breaded and fried to be crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. It was served with slices of young ginger and a smoky chili-based dipping sauce that really complemented the pieces of juicy pork. The pork was good, perhaps not as crispy as I would have liked, but I appreciated generous the meat-to-fat ratio, fried coating, and house sauce.
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| house special crispy pork belly at Zhouji Meat Porridge |
I also tried a plate of pork cheek, a delicate cut with a high percentage of fat marbling interwoven through the muscle. This gives it an incredibly rich flavor and tender texture, almost melting in your mouth with each bite.
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| pork cheek meat with ginger |
As you could have guessed from the restaurant's name, Zhouji Meat Porridge is best known for their congee. The type of rice porridge that they serve is similar to a Cambodian babor or a Thai khao tom in which the whole grains of rice are cooked in a savory broth. The porridge was served with small pieces of flavorful pork meat, and the dish was packed with flavor. Congee on its own is typically a bit bland until you add your preferred seasonings and mix-ins, but this one was so flavorful that it didn’t need anything else.
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| Taiwanese congee with pork at Zhouji Meat Porridge |
I arrived during a rush, and the restaurant was packed with people. I was honestly a little overwhelmed at first, but the staff quickly seated me at a big shared table and took my order. Somehow, despite the chaos, the meal arrived promptly exactly as ordered. You'll receive a paper slip with your food, which you can take to the counter at the front to pay before leaving. The staff can speak English and can help you with your order.
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| breakfast at Taipei's popular Zhouji Meat Porridge |
More delicious breakfast in Taipei
Location
Zhouji Meat Porridge is located at No. 104號, Guangzhou St, Wanhua District, Taipei City, Taiwan 108. It's just a short walk from Longshan Temple MRT Station.
The restaurant is open daily from 6:30 AM until 4 PM. It can get busy during the breakfast and lunch rush, but the staff is efficient and great at making sure everyone is seated and served quickly. If you arrive during a busy time, you may have to share a table with other customers.
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| Zhouji Meat Porridge, Taipei, Taiwan |
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