Travel Notes

Taiwan‘s Japanese influence can be seen everywhere, even in its fast food. In Taipei, you‘re never far from an outlet of the Japanese fast-food chain, Mos Burger. And that means you‘re never far from a nice little rice burger.

I was a fan of Mos Burger when I lived in Japan, so was thrilled to make the chain's acquaintance again in Taipei. They call themselves the "happy hamburger house", but it‘s not their palm-sized burgers I love. It‘s the vegetable-stuffed rice burgers.

A kimpira rice burger at Mos Burger, the "Happy Hamburger House" in Taipei. Carolyn Ali photo.

Yes, those burger "buns" are made of sticky Japanese rice. Inside, instead of a beef patty, you can choose from fried yakiniku strips of beef or my favourite, the kimpira burger. This consists of julienned strips of soy- and mirin-marinated carrot and burdock root sandwiched between two rice patties lined with a sheet of nori. And just when it was starting to get too healthy, the good people at Mos decided to throw in a piece of bacon. The result is chewy “bun“ with crunchy veggies and a nice salty kick.

It’s a small handful, more a snack than a meal, but a bargain at about $2 in Taiwan when the same thing in Japan, as I recall, sells for about $3.50. For a bit more, you can get your bun made out of organic rice.

Pretty progressive for a fast food joint.