Keelung Ah Ben Siu Mai

When visiting Keelung, you absolutely cannot miss this legendary local shop that has been fragrant for decades – 'Ah Ben Siu Mai.' Just looking at the photos of the jumbo siu mai, large and plump, being picked up by chopsticks, makes your mouth water. Unlike the commonly seen small Hong Kong-style siu mai, Keelung's Taiwanese-style large siu mai showcases a bold local characteristic. Ah Ben's siu mai is twice the size of regular siu mai, with a chewy, non-mushy skin, enclosing a firm filling mixed with fresh pork, fish paste, and crunchy water chestnuts. One bite not only delivers the sweet freshness of the meat juices but also a rich layered texture. The special sweet and spicy sauce drizzled on the plate is the soul of the dish. The slightly sweet and slightly spicy flavor perfectly enhances the siu mai's freshness, making you unable to stop at just one. This simple yet profound old-fashioned taste not only satisfies the taste buds but also carries the strong human touch of the port city, making it a classic delicacy that every foodie visiting Keelung must try!