阿泉爌肉飯

I have tried several braised pork rice places in Changhua City, but none met my expectations. Recently, a YouTuber visited Changhua City and tried this old shop, so I decided to go back to Changhua and give it another shot.

Ah Quan Braised Pork Rice is only open from morning until 1:30 PM. It seems unavoidable to queue on weekends, but the inside space is quite large, and I waited about half an hour. The shop does issue receipts.

I was amazed after my first bite! The skin of the braised pork is extremely tender and melts in your mouth, not greasy at all. The lean meat of the braised pork is not dry; it's heated well inside, making it very enjoyable to eat.

The white rice is distinct, and the braising sauce is not too strong, complementing the dish well without being greasy or overly wet. Even just considering the plain rice, this is the best braised pork rice I have tried in Changhua City so far.

The blanched vegetables and braised bamboo shoots were rather ordinary but cooked until quite soft. The sausage has a unique flavor, with a coarser lean meat texture inside, and it noticeably carries a hint of sorghum wine. I recommend giving it a try.

Later, I found out that starting from 2023, the United Daily News organized the "500 Bowls" of Taiwanese snacks, inviting 50 celebrities, chefs, and food critics to each select 10 shops. "Quan Braised Pork Rice" (the signature name of Ah Quan Braised Pork Rice) won the first season in 2023 and made it onto the list in 2024 as well, truly deserving of the recognition.