Taiwan Railway Mealbox

Taiwan Railway Bento Boxes have become a cherished tradition for travelers on Taiwan Railways. These meals, commonly known as ekiben, are available at major railway stations and on trains, with around five million sold each year, generating approximately 370 million NTD.

The history of these bento boxes dates back to the Japanese colonial period when they were exclusively available at train stations. However, under the Chinese Nationalist rule, the catering landscape changed with the introduction of private catering services. By 1960, these services were consolidated under the Taiwan Railway Administration.

A notable milestone in the history of these bento boxes was the reintroduction of the pork chop bento in 2000, after a 32-year hiatus. This comeback was extraordinarily successful, with over 90,000 boxes sold. The bento boxes are celebrated for their delectable pork chop and are complemented by a variety of side dishes such as braised eggs, dried tofu, and white radish.

To ensure quality and availability, the Taiwan Railways Administration has established special catering zones at major stations dedicated to the preparation and distribution of these meals.

Historically, these bento boxes were served in reusable stainless steel containers. Passengers would return the containers after use, which were then washed and reused. However, due to high costs and low return rates, the administration switched to disposable paper boxes.

On the trains, car attendants distribute the bento boxes during meal times, walking through carriages and asking passengers in both Mandarin and Hokkien if they would like to purchase a bento.

In a unique twist, there was a special collaboration in 2015 when Japan's Keikyu Corporation sold Taiwan Railway Bento Boxes during a promotional event. This initiative brought a taste of Taiwan's railway cuisine to Japanese passengers.