鄭記豬腳飯

The last dance of the black gold pig trotter rice, Zheng Ji, which has been in business for over 70 years, is about to close on April 2nd.

Zheng Ji Pig Trotter Rice is located on Yanping South Road, near Ximending and Beimen, about a five-minute walk from MRT Beimen Station. This old restaurant, founded in 1953 and operating for over seventy years, will officially close on April 2, 2025. This is an article dedicated to memories as well as a farewell food review for those who don’t have time to say goodbye.

Today, I enjoyed the pig trotter rice, priced at 130 TWD.

Pig Trotter Rice:
The pig trotters are braised thoroughly, with a deep caramel color that is shiny and rich. The pig skin is chewy and not greasy, with a pronounced gelatinous texture; while the meat doesn’t melt in your mouth, it is still juicy. The areas with tendons have a very springy texture, and when tasted alongside the lean meat, it creates an irresistible combination.

The side dishes are pickled vegetables and greens, their crisp texture balancing the richness of the main dish, while the braised egg has an even color; although the yolk is a bit dry, it becomes more flavorful the more you chew, somewhat akin to iron eggs.

The bamboo shoot and pork bone soup by the counter is available for self-service. The broth seems light but is actually sweet and lingering, and the bamboo shoots are crunchy, making it a perfect finishing touch.

Overall, it is a Taiwanese bento shop known for its excellent braising skills. The interior is simple and unadorned, with aluminum doors and stainless steel tables and chairs, typical of traditional bento shops in old Taipei. Yet, it is this unembellished establishment that has carried over seventy years of memories.

Although some criticize that the soy-braised pig trotters before 2015 were truly Zheng Ji's signature dish, when I saw the long line at the entrance and the store owner’s continuous expressions of thanks and apologies as they prepared to close, the battle over flavors seemed no longer important.

I lined up all afternoon; during the lunch rush, they sold out ten meters ahead of me, and I had to wait until 4:30 PM to get the first pot fresh out of the kitchen. To be fair, each person is limited to one pig trotter or Dongpo meat bento until they close, while the milkfish belly is not included in this limitation.

If you want to experience the last dance of this old shop, it's recommended to start lining up at 9 AM; in the afternoon, it’s like a blind box, so you can’t guarantee anything... If you have ever eaten their pig trotter rice, it’s a memory; if you haven’t tried it yet, now is the last chance.

Highly recommended to everyone! Eat quickly, or you might really miss out!