Taiwanese bento (便當)
A 便當 (biàn dāng) is Taiwan’s everyday lunch and dinner box: rice, one main such as a fried pork chop or a chicken leg, and three or four side dishes, usually for NT$90–150. Bento shops are everywhere — near offices, schools and train stations.
Searching “bento” on Google Maps only matches the few shops that put that word in their name. Almost every Taiwanese bento shop has 便當 in its name, so searching 便當 brings up the ones near you.
Search these words on Google Maps
- 便當
bento shop — pick a main, and rice and side dishes come with it
- 自助餐
self-service buffet — choose your own sides and pay for what is on your plate
Mains you will see at a bento shop
How do I order at a bento shop?
Choose a main from the board — 排骨 (pork chop), 雞腿 (chicken leg), 魚 (fish) — and the shop fills the box with rice and that day’s side dishes. Say 內用 to eat in or 外帶 to take away.
What is the difference between 便當 and 自助餐?
At a 便當 shop you pick the main and the sides are set. At a 自助餐 you choose every side yourself from the counter and pay for what is on your plate — handy if you want more vegetables or eat vegetarian.
When are bento shops open?
Most open for lunch and dinner, roughly 10:30am–2pm and 4:30–8pm, and some close one day a week. Hours vary, so check the shop on Google Maps.