TIEN TIEN MANJU

Film, 2016


A small vendor hidden in the back of the bustling street of Taichung, Taiwan. They sell only one thing Japanese red bean fried bun.

Words from Steve Huang:

As a student that studies abroad, Taichung Secondary Market is the one place I must visit whenever I’m back. One of the main reasons is this place, “Tien Tien Manju”. Its not somewhere with a fancy interior or with michelin stars or even food that trigger all your senses. But rather than the simplicity that gets me hooked, and makes me want to revisit every time I’m here.

When I saw him and those helpers that he has, its like going back to my grandmothers back at country side. It felt so familiar, with the food and the energy that they put into the little fried bun. When you practice a craft day after day, generation after generation for 67 years, the flour at your finger tip or the hot oil sound from the pan, smell of the red bean dough all become the elements that drove you out of the bed everyday to perfect that technique. Hence bringing the joy and the philosophy behind the food to whoever is eating it. From when it’s 1 cent a piece to now 5 dollars (NTD) It seen the history of Taichung, witnessed the bustling Central gradually decline, and perhaps the growth of the community and the regular fan of the place.

“Tien Tien” is the first place that I want to go wherever I’m back in Taiwan is because this tiny golden crusted fried bun that can place me in a joyful state with the satisfaction of being home and my earliest childhood memories.

Made with the help of Steve Huang

Music by SineRider & CΛY