aeeble

Taiwan’s first themed cultural museum dedicated to bakkwa (dried pork), Ruan’s Bakkwa shatters the stereotype of bakkwa as merely a traditional Chinese snack. Through playful, creative tastings and an open-view production line, guided tours introduce visitors to a new generation of bakkwa and a fresh emphasis on food-safety culture. One glimpse of Ruan’s packaging, ads, or website—adorable bakkwa mascots, soothing copy, sleek foodie-friendly design, equal parts fun and trendy—reveals how the brand repackages tradition. What once appeared only in wet markets during holidays has become an online sensation. Taiwan is a world capital of gastronomy; bakkwa is a Taiwanese classic, and chopsticks embody Chinese dining culture. Ruan’s fuses the two, innovating “chopstick bakkwa” that marries local flavor with cultural iconography. As industrial structures shift, government-assisted tourism factories have flourished; Ruan’s Bakkwa Concept Museum on Chongxin Road, Sanchong, is one example. Originally Zhongzheng Meat Shop, operating over thirty years in the old Huannan Market, it was re-energized by a second-generation team who digitized the business, turning it into an e-commerce hit. From brick-and-mortar to online, then back to physical space, the Ruan’s Bakkwa Concept Museum opened in 2015. Inside, besides the brand’s best-selling bakkwa, visitors can DIY their own products and watch the production process, gaining a deeper appreciation of Taiwan’s traditional foods.