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Massive Bookstores and Hearty Meals! Discovering Fantoan Rice Rolls in Shenzhen

Yi Peng Fantuan (Rice Ball)

ChinaShenzhen Shenzhen Book City, Yi Peng Rice Ball

Food Travel Log
The world’s largest bookstore is said to be in Shenzhen. You can freely browse books, and kids enjoy reading comfortably. The many eateries nearby add to the convenience. Before diving into some reading, I grabbed a Rice Ball (Fantuan) for a quick meal. Inside the sticky rice were marinated eggs, pickles, and crispy fried dough sticks with a hint of mayonnaise. It was dense and satisfying! But when I started reading, I realized I couldn’t read Chinese.
Taste Rating
2
Price
13 Yuan Renminbi
Meal Date
9/16/2024
Insights from the Gourmet AI
Yi Bāng Fantōng (飯糰) is a food originating from Taiwan, similar to what is known as onigiri in Japan. In China and Taiwan, it is popular as part of a breakfast menu and is especially perfect for traveling or busy everyday life. The main ingredient is sticky glutinous rice, with typical fillings including seasoned eggs, pickles, and crispy fried bread with a crunchy texture. This dish can be held and eaten with one hand, making it ideal for a quick meal when you want to eat on the go. Moreover, onigiri-like Fantōng offers a great opportunity to experience cultural differences while traveling. The author enjoys the meal and, inspired to read in a Shenzhen bookstore, envisions struggling when words don't come to mind. The taste of foreign cuisine offers new experiences, much like savoring the fillings of an onigiri, but it seems there's still some stumbling in the world of reading—keep at it, author! At least remember "Wǒ kàn bù dǒng" ("I don't understand").

Map: Discovery Location of This Food