Unraveling the Mystery of Taiwanese Sandwiches!!!!

Hello! I’m Kokoty!

There’s something I’ve been wondering about ever since I came to Taiwan—something that has been on my mind for soooo long.

I finally feel like I’ve started to understand it (just a little bit), so I decided to write a blog post about it!!!!

Why?????

Whenever I oversleep or find myself running late and don’t have time to sit down for a proper meal, I often grab a sandwich because it’s quick, easy, and delicious.

Even after coming to Taiwan, that hasn’t changed. Just like I always do, I bought a sandwich from a convenience store and was about to eat it when………

Hmm?

Can you spot what looks strange about this photo?!

Why are there four slices of bread for just three fillings??!?

(Am I the only Japanese person who thinks about this??? 😂)

In Japan, sandwiches often come with three different fillings, with each one meant to be enjoyed separately.

But apparently, many Taiwanese sandwiches are meant to be eaten with all three fillings together in one bite!

At first, I was so confused because no matter where I tried to take a bite, I somehow ended up with a filling that had absolutely no bread around it. I was like, “Wait… what am I supposed to do?!” 😂

And apparently, sandwiches sold at regular breakfast shops in Taiwan are made the same way too…

So, I asked my language school teacher about it, and they said:

“Why is that strange?? It tastes better when you eat everything together because you get so many different flavors at once!!”

…Culture shock. 😂

For me, eating the whole sandwich all at once felt a little sad. It was like taking something I could have enjoyed over several bites and finishing everything in one go…

I just couldn’t seem to let go of my Japanese idea of what a sandwich should be, and this continued for quite a while.

Then, Tacky told me…

He said that, and I thought, “Hmmmm… okay, that actually makes sense.”

I was almost convinced…

But I still couldn’t quite accept it. 😂

So, I decided to look into the history of sandwiches and find out why Taiwanese sandwiches ended up being made this way in the first place. (???)

Of course, this is all based on information I found online…

The History of Sandwiches

First, when I started looking into Taiwanese sandwiches, one name that kept coming up was Hung Rui Zhen (洪瑞珍).

Founded in central Taiwan in 1947, Hung Rui Zhen (洪瑞珍) is a long-established sandwich shop and is now considered one of the most iconic names when it comes to Taiwanese-style sandwiches.

Taiwanese sandwiches are known for their thin layers of egg, ham, cheese, and other fillings stacked together, often paired with slightly sweet mayonnaise or a buttery spread.

(There isn’t a physical store in Tainan, but you can find them at FamilyMart convenience stores too!)

So, why did Taiwanese sandwiches end up with four slices of bread and three layers of filling?

Apparently, there are two main theories about how this style came about!!!

The first theory is related to food conditions in Taiwan after the war.

At the time, Taiwan didn’t have access to as many ingredients as it does today, and using thick slices of ham or lots of eggs wasn’t always easy. So, one theory is that the fillings were sliced thinly and stacked into multiple layers, while adding more slices of bread helped make the sandwich feel more filling even when there wasn’t much filling available.

The second theory is related to American influence.

After the war, American troops were stationed in Taiwan, and it is said that sandwich styles such as club sandwiches—with multiple layers of bread and fillings—may have been introduced to Taiwan through American food culture.

It’s not necessarily that one of these theories is the correct answer.

Maybe the Taiwanese-style sandwich we know today was shaped by a combination of different cultures and historical influences over time!!

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So, what about sandwiches in Japan?

Sandwiches became popular in Japan during the Meiji era .

This was a time when Japan was rapidly adopting Western food, fashion, and social customs. The Rokumeikan, a Western-style building used to entertain foreign diplomats and other important guests, was opened during this period.

Sandwiches were apparently enjoyed at standing parties and other events held at the Rokumeikan as a light snack that could be eaten with one hand without getting food on your dress.

In other words, in Japan, sandwiches were initially embraced not so much as a food meant to fill you up, but as a stylish, Western-style light snack.

When you compare the two, you can see that sandwiches became popular in Japan as part of the movement to adopt Western culture, while in Taiwan, a unique sandwich culture developed against a different background, influenced by things like postwar food shortages and American culture.

Even though they’re both called “sandwiches,” the histories they’ve gone through are actually quite different!!!

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While I was researching the history of sandwiches, Hamu-san told me…

While I was researching the history of sandwiches, Hamu-san told me something interesting.

When I heard that, I started thinking…

Maybe Taiwanese sandwiches really are meant to be eaten with all the different flavors together…?

At first, I kept wondering, “Why four slices of bread?” when I looked at Taiwanese sandwiches.

But the more I learned about their background and history, the more I felt that maybe I could appreciate them for what they are—a sandwich that has grown and developed as part of Taiwanese food culture.

And that was the conclusion I came to, as Kokoty!!!

Thank you so much for reading all the way to the end!!

Alright everyone, stay safe today too!!! 🥪