Hsu Ji Sheng Jian Bao

Review

Hsu Ji Sheng Jian Bao is at No. 12, Lane 39, Shida Road, inside the lanes of Shida Night Market and not far from MRT Taipower Building Station. The Singapore food blog Daniel Food Diary says the stall has drawn long queues since 1984, and both Supertaste's list of ten must-eats at Shida Night Market and the travel site kikinote's Shida recommendations include it, making it one of the old names most often mentioned for this market.

The buns are filled mainly with pork, steamed and then pan-fried to form a crisp, browned base. The blog describes thin skin and a juicy filling that can squirt when you bite, so take care not to burn yourself. In 2018 the blog recorded NT$10 each, five for NT$40 and a box of twelve for NT$90; those prices are dated and may have changed, so check before you go. There is a sauce by the stall you can add yourself, and many diners single it out for praise.

Fans say the skin is thin, the base crisp and the cabbage and pork filling well seasoned, service is fast, and some families have been eating here for decades. Critics find the buns not very juicy or the flavour not distinctive, and some think that when queues are long the buns are rushed and the bottoms are less crisp than expected. Opinions are split, yet it remains one of the market's most popular stalls.

On hours, the blog lists Shida Night Market as roughly 5 p.m. to midnight, while kikinote gives about 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. for the market; sources differ, so confirm the stall's actual hours before going. Diners suggest coming early, around 5 or 6 p.m., to beat the crowds; the blogger waited ten to fifteen minutes. Many note it is cash only and mainly takeaway, so watch for hot juice if eating while walking. Parking in the market lanes is hard, so the MRT is easiest.

Good for students and travellers exploring Shida Night Market who want a hot snack for very little money. On a first visit, buy five to share with friends and pair them with other market snacks; add more of the stall's sauce if you like strong flavours. Let the first bun cool or take a small bite to release the juice so you do not get burned.