---
title: Bianshi, the wontons of Hualien
url: https://karigurashijourney.com/en/notes/bianshi-the-wontons-hualien/
lang: en
journey: https://karigurashijourney.com/en/episodes/hualien/
---

# Bianshi, the wontons of Hualien

A little of each town’s story　/　Hualien, Taiwan

In Hualien you see bianshi (wonton) shops all over town. There are many well-known names, from Yexiang Bianshi, in business for more than 70 years, to Yipinxiang and Hualien Xiang.

## This moment in the journey: Bianshi, the wontons of Hualien

Hualien's specialty, I was told, is bianshi (扁食), and wonton shops line the streets. The long-established favorites were tempting, but I wandered into a shop I happened to pass, under a sign reading 花蓮香. In the kitchen, wontons were boiling in a steaming pot.

These are what we in Japan know as wonton. The bowl arrived with plump dumplings floating in the soup: thin skins packed tight with juicy filling, and a gentle, light broth with a hint of celery that soaked right through me.

Beside the counter, warming pans held side dishes such as braised tofu. Warm and delicious, it soothed me to the core.

![Wonton soup with greens and spring onion](https://karigurashijourney.com/img/hualien/s78-1200.jpg)
- Sources: https://www.marieclaire.com.tw/lifestyle/taste/63542
- Sources: https://supertaste.tvbs.com.tw/review/323176

Read this scene in the full journey: https://karigurashijourney.com/en/episodes/hualien/