Independently published by writer and photographer Chez Kuo, Luroufan Taiwan is a thoughtfully curated travel guide to lu rou fan (braised pork over rice) 滷肉飯 shops in Taiwan, enriched with beautiful photography and interviews with shop owners—not to mention English and Japanese translations for it all. It is a first-of-its-kind passion project.
Lu rou fan is one of Taiwan's most well-known comfort foods, and everyone has a different opinion on what makes an ideal bowl. Some like it savory-only, while others like it sweeter, in keeping with the southern Taiwanese palate. Some prefer their pork in fatty chunks, and others prefer it lean and minced. Not to mention the endless permutations of accoutrements.
Motivated by an enthusiasm for exploring his local foodways, Kuo visited over 120 lu rou fan shops across 13 cities in Taiwan, recording the flavors and textures of each bowl in mouthwatering detail. He drew on his professional experience as a magazine editor to photograph and lay out the entire book himself.
Adding to the book's utility, every lu rou fan shop's page has a QR code leading to its Google Maps location. And to help readers shape their Taiwan itineraries, Kuo taps into his coffee knowledge to recommend local cafes, as well as dessert shops and even hotels.
With this guide in your hands, you are one step closer to finding the lu rou fan of your dreams.
