TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwanese fan tuan, a sticky rice breakfast roll, has gained attention in the US as diners share videos of the filling dish and call it a “Taiwanese burrito,” Marie Claire Taiwan reported.
Fan tuan is often filled with fried dough, pork floss, pickled vegetables, and egg. It is a common breakfast food in Taiwan and is known for being filling.
The Los Angeles Times reported that the trend has grown in parts of California, where Taiwanese breakfast shops have seen more interest from local diners. A shop in Southern California drew attention after food creators shared videos of its purple rice fan tuan.
Some people said they drove for hours to try the roll after seeing it online. Others praised its mix of soft rice, crunchy fried dough, and salty fillings.
The San Francisco Chronicle reported that fan tuan has also become easier to find in the Bay Area in recent years. It said several shops now focus on the dish.
The roll is sometimes compared to a burrito because of its shape and fillings. However, fan tuan uses sticky rice instead of a tortilla and has flavors common in Taiwanese breakfast food.
The fried dough inside the roll is often called youtiao. It is eaten across East and Southeast Asia and is also served with soy milk, rice porridge, and other breakfast dishes.
Liberty Times reported that Taiwanese online users have joked that fan tuan can make people sleepy because it is rich in rice and fried ingredients. The jokes added to its image as a comforting meal that is both loved and heavy.
Growing US interest shows how a simple Taiwan breakfast item can reach new diners through social media. It also gives more people a chance to learn about Taiwan’s food culture through everyday street food.
