Taiwanese sausage (xiangchang) + sticky rice sausage
Taiwanese sausages (xiangchang) and glutinous rice sausages are popular street foods, representative of night markets throughout Taiwan. Particularly in Kaohsiung's Liuhe Tourist Night Market, these dishes can be enjoyed at a variety of stalls, ranging from traditional styles to unique local variations. Made primarily with pork and glutinous rice, they are known for their distinctive local preparation methods and seasoning. A popular way to eat these foods is called ""Dàcháng bāo xiǎocháng,"" in which a sausage is wrapped inside a glutinous rice sausage. This snack, rich in local flavor, is beloved by both tourists and locals alike.
- Taste Rating
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- Price
- 90 New Taiwan Dollar
- Meal Date
- 12/27/2024
- Food Travel Log
- Taiwanese Street Food: Sausages (香腸) You can even have them sandwiched between sticky rice, making for a succulent combination of chewy rice and crisp, juicy, sweet pork. A flavorful memory for just 90 TWD. Personally, I recommend the style of alternating bites between the sausage alone and raw garlic. Once you've tried it, you'll find yourself thrilled by the sausage and garlic pairing every time.
AI Gourmet Analysis
Overview
Taiwanese sausage (香腸) and sticky rice sausage are among the traditional street foods that represent Taiwan's night market culture. They are especially prominent in the Liuhe Tourist Night Market in Kaohsiung. Taiwanese sausage is characterized by its use of pork as the main ingredient, and its unique seasoning that includes sugar, five-spice powder, soy sauce, and more. On the other hand, sticky rice sausage is made by stuffing glutinous rice into a pork casing or artificial casing and then steaming and grilling it. A popular local way of enjoying it is known as "Dàcháng bāo xiǎocháng" (大腸包小腸), a “hot dog”-style method where the sticky rice sausage encloses the Taiwanese sausage.
History and Background
Taiwanese sausage is believed to have been introduced from Fujian Province in the late 19th century and has evolved with fermentation and seasoning techniques unique to Taiwan. Today, it is widely served at night markets throughout the country, beloved by tourists and locals alike. Sticky rice sausage is closely related to rice culture found in southern China and Southeast Asia, and it is highly valued for the excellent combination of the rich texture of glutinous rice and the savory flavor of the sausage.
Cooking Methods and Composition
Sausage (香腸)
Taiwanese sausage is typically made by mixing coarsely ground pork, lard, sugar, salt, garlic, five-spice powder, and other seasonings, stuffing the mixture into casings, drying it in the sun, and then grilling it. As a result, it is flavorful and sweet, with a juicy meat texture. In street stalls, it is cooked over an open flame, resulting in a crispy exterior when freshly grilled.
Sticky Rice Sausage
The sticky rice sausage, referred to as "large intestine" (大腸), is made by stuffing glutinous rice sweetened with sugar, peanuts, pickled mustard greens, and other ingredients into a pork casing, steaming it, and then grilling it. In Taiwan’s own “hot dog” style, the sticky rice sausage is split in half and filled with grilled Taiwanese sausage, then topped with sweet and savory sauces, pickles, cucumber, garlic, and other garnishes.
Nutrition and Cultural Significance
Because Taiwanese sausage and Dàcháng bāo xiǎocháng mainly use pork and glutinous rice, they are both high in energy and rich in protein. The fats and sugars in the sausage also help to increase its preservation potential. In Taiwanese night markets, the convenient style of eating these foods while walking around has made them a symbol of everyday Taiwanese cuisine.
Regional Differences and Variations
At the Liuhe Night Market in Kaohsiung, in addition to traditional recipes, there are variations with added spiciness, herbs, or unique fillings such as cheese. The seasoning and ingredients vary depending on the region—northern, central, or southern Taiwan—with diversity seen in the sausage thickness and the texture of the sticky rice sausage as well.
Recent Popularity and Global Expansion
Taiwanese sausage and Dàcháng bāo xiǎocháng have become standard products in overseas Chinese communities and Asian supermarkets outside of Taiwan. Especially in immigrant communities in countries such as the United States and Australia, these foods are increasingly offered at local events and festivals. While preserving the flavors of tradition, new creative menus with modern adaptations continue to be developed, and growing popularity and further evolution are expected in the future.