Zou Ji Meat Pies

Review

Zou Ji Meat Pies is at No. 13 Laiyuan Road, right beside the Lin Family Gardens. The cart sits under a convenience-store arcade and has been running for more than 30 years, one of Wufeng locals' favorite afternoon snacks. Supertaste, FUNIT and Yam Travel all include it in their Wufeng food articles, and FUNIT notes a branch has opened in Dali.

The menu has only four items: beef pies, pork pies, chive pockets and scallion pancakes, all pan-fried to order. The beef pie is topped with black sesame, with a crisp, slightly thick crust and a dense filling rich in beef and scallion, plus a little broth. The pork pie is softer and even juicier, spilling as soon as you bite. The chive pocket holds chives, carrot, glass noodles, minced pork and dried shrimp seasoned with pepper, with a golden, slightly chewy skin that needs no dipping sauce. The scallion pancake can come with egg. A 2021 report listed the beef pie at NT$30 and the pork pie and chive pocket at NT$20 each; prices may have changed since.

Diners and media agree on generous fillings, plenty of juice and coin-level prices, and many people buy several at once. The drawback is the wait: a line forms soon after opening, the owner often cannot fry fast enough, and some have waited more than half an hour. They come off the griddle very hot, so watch out for squirting juice.

To order, tick your choices on the paper menu at the table and hand it to staff. Hours are roughly 2:30 to 7:30 pm with irregular days off; if nobody answers the phone (0919-514-715), it is probably closed. Reports all suggest phoning ahead to reserve and simply picking up on arrival. The Lin Family Gardens area is busy at weekends, so allow time for parking.

Good for anyone finishing a visit to the Lin Family Gardens who wants something hot, or an afternoon snack. Two people can each have a beef and a pork pie and share a chive pocket; add a scallion pancake with egg for a fuller meal.