Yuan Fang Gua Bao

Review

Yuan Fang Gua Bao is stall No. 161 in the Huaxi Street Tourist Night Market. The Michelin Guide says it has been operating for more than sixty years, and it is still listed as a Bib Gourmand in the 2026 edition. A CommonWealth media outlet reported that it first made the list in 2020, alongside its neighbors Hsiao Wang Zhu Gua and Chang Hung Noodles as the Bib Gourmand snacks of Huaxi Street.

The buns are made in-house, white and fluffy, filled with large pieces of braised pork belly and topped with pickled mustard greens and peanut powder for a sweet-savory bite. A 2024 report listed the gua bao at NT$60 and pork stomach soup at NT$65; the guide also recommends the four-herb soup for its rich broth. Each bun is assembled to order, so it arrives warm.

Praise centers on pork belly so tender it melts, a fluffy bun that is never dry, and pickled greens and cilantro that keep it from feeling heavy; many travelers call it one of the best gua bao they have had in Taiwan and suggest pairing it with pork stomach or four-herb soup. The main criticism is sweetness, which may be too much for those not used to Taiwanese flavors, and the high fat ratio may be too rich for some.

It opens Tuesday to Sunday 11:30–20:00, closed Mondays. The Michelin Guide says cash only, but recent diners mention mobile payment, so sources differ; bring cash to be safe. There is air-conditioned seating, and weekday afternoons are quieter. The nearest MRT is Longshan Temple Station; parking around Huaxi Street is scarce, so public transport is easier.

It suits anyone after a classic Taiwanese gua bao or hoping to try several Bib Gourmand stalls on Huaxi Street in one go. One bun and a bowl of pork stomach soup is a good solo meal; in a group, get one bun each and then head to Hsiao Wang Zhu Gua in the same row for braised pork rice. Cilantro fans can ask for extra.