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Scene illustrating a Traditional Chinese-language popular foods conversation

Key Phrases

小籠包

xiǎo lóng bāo

Soup Dumplings

珍珠奶茶

zhēn zhū nǎi chá

Bubble Tea

牛肉麵

niú ròu miàn

Beef Noodle Soup

Skills You'll Learn

Identifying popular Taiwanese dishes

辨識台灣熱門美食

biàn shí tái wān rè mén měi shí

Ordering food in a local restaurant

在當地餐廳點餐

zài dāng dì cān tīng diǎn cān

Understanding traditional Taiwanese cuisine

了解傳統台灣料理

liǎo jiě chuán tǒng tái wān liào lǐ

Lesson Vocabulary & Phrases

🥟🍜

小籠包

xiǎo lóng bāo

Soup Dumplings

💬 Pronounced like (shao-long-bao). The character [小] means 'small', [籠] means 'basket', and [包] means 'dumpling'.

🇹🇼 These are famously associated with Taiwanese cuisine and are filled with juicy broth.

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🧋

珍珠奶茶

zhēn zhū nǎi chá

Bubble Tea

💬 The characters [珍珠] mean 'pearl', referring to the tapioca balls, and [奶茶] means 'milk tea'.

🇹🇼 Originating from Taiwan, it's a symbol of Taiwanese beverage culture, enjoyed worldwide.

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🦪🍳

蚵仔煎

hé zǎi jiān

Oyster Omelette

💬 Pronounced like (uh-ah-jian). [蚵仔] refers to 'oyster', and [煎] means 'fried'.

🇹🇼 A popular street food, particularly favored in night markets across Taiwan.

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🍖🧆

肉圓

ròu yuán

Ba-wan (Meat Balls)

💬 Pronounced as (bah-wahn). [肉] means 'meat' and [圓] means 'round' or 'ball'.

🇹🇼 Often filled with pork, bamboo shoots, and mushrooms, covered in a chewy translucent dough.

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🐖🍚

滷肉飯

lǔ ròu fàn

Braised Pork Rice

💬 [滷] means 'braised', [肉] means 'meat', and [飯] means 'rice'.

🇹🇼 A staple in Taiwan, known for its aroma and hearty flavor.

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🐔🌶️

鹽酥雞

yán sū jī

Salt and Pepper Chicken

💬 [鹽] means 'salt', [酥] means 'crispy', and [雞] means 'chicken'.

🇹🇼 A beloved snack, especially crispy on the outside and juicy inside.

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🧄🧀

臭豆腐

chòu dòu fǔ

Stinky Tofu

💬 [臭] means 'stinky' and [豆腐] means 'tofu'.

🇹🇼 Despite its strong smell, it's a popular street food delicacy with a crisp outside and soft inside.

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🐄🍜

牛肉麵

niú ròu miàn

Beef Noodle Soup

💬 [牛肉] means 'beef', and [麵] means 'noodles'.

🇹🇼 Recognized as Taiwan's national dish, it's comforting and savory, cherished throughout the region.

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🥖🐷

刈包

yì bāo

Gua Bao (Pork Belly Bun)

💬 Pronounced as (gwah-bao). [刈] might not be familiar but means 'cut' or 'slice', and [包] means 'bun'.

🇹🇼 Often referred to as 'Taiwanese hamburger', with savory pork belly and pickled vegetables.

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🚀

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