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甜不辣Taiwanese Tempura
Say it tián bù là
Also called fish cake · Taiwanese oden
Opens Google Maps with the Chinese name “甜不辣”, so you also find the local shops an English search misses
Questions about Taiwanese Tempura
Is 甜不辣 the same as Japanese tempura?
No. The name comes from the Japanese word, but 甜不辣 is fish paste shaped and deep-fried, closer to satsuma-age or a fish cake than to battered tempura. It is served either in a light broth with radish and cabbage, or on a plate with a thick sweet-savoury sauce.
How do I order it at a stall?
Point at what you want; most shops sell it by the plate or bowl for NT$40–80, with the sauce already on it. At many shops the broth is self-service, so you can refill the bowl at the counter. 黑輪 (o-lián) on the same stall is the same family of fish cake in a different shape.
What is Taiwanese Tempura?
Fried or boiled fish cakes cut into pieces and topped with a thick, sweet sauce. Despite the name, it is not Japanese battered tempura.
What does it taste like?
How much does it cost?
NT$40–80 per plate
Where to eat it in Taiwan
Night markets and snack stalls. Keelung Miaokou Night Market is especially known for it.
How to find it near you
Tap “Find Taiwanese Tempura near me” above — it searches by the Chinese name “甜不辣”, so you see real local shops, not only places with English menus. At the shop, show the Chinese name or say “tián bù là”.
