Da Pang Pork Chop Rice

Review

Da Pang Pork Chop Rice is on Zhongxiao Road in Taichung's South District, on the main strip of Zhongxiao Night Market; its sign also advertises oyster omelets, and it is one of the few stalls there serving proper rice meals. Supertaste put it on its Zhongxiao must-eat list in both 2018 and 2019, describing frequent long lines and calling it a budget favorite of local students, though no report gives its founding year or history.

For the signature pork chop rice, the chop is fried and then braised, and one big piece covers almost the whole plate, served with pickled mustard greens and sauce, savory and great with rice. Frying before braising lets the outside soak up the braising liquid while the meat keeps its thickness. The oyster omelet is loaded with fillings and is a student favorite. On prices, a 2018 report listed pork chop rice at NT$70 and the oyster omelet at NT$60, rising to NT$80 and NT$65 in 2019; go by today's prices on site.

Praise centers on the big portions, fair prices and a single plate being enough to fill you up. The downsides are long waits at peak times, and almost all available coverage comes from one media outlet and is several years old; recent diner reviews are scarce, so it is hard to say whether the flavor has stayed the same.

It opens at 4:30 p.m., but hours differ by source: older reports say it ran until 2:30 a.m., while current data shows about 11 p.m., so check before you go. Reports suggest coming later in the evening if you'd rather not queue. Payment, parking and seating aren't mentioned in the sources, so bring cash.

It suits anyone at Zhongxiao Night Market who wants a proper meal with rice and meat without spending much. Order the pork chop rice as your main, and if there are two of you, share an oyster omelet as well for a satisfying meal; to dodge the crowds, pick a later time slot.