TAIWAN-FOOD DRINK-MICHELIN-CULTURE
Taiwan Railways Administration (TRA) reported a record-breaking NT$876 million in bento box revenue in 2025, selling 9.42 million bento boxes throughout the year, with pork rib bento boxes topping the sales charts at 7.18 million. TRA stated that it will continue to improve quality and launch special bento boxes incorporating festive occasions and local ingredients. (Image shows a TRA bento box illustration.)

【Taipei, Oct. 26】 <chrome_annotation role="link">Taiwan Railways Corp.'s classic railway bentos continued to win over consumers in 2025, generating NT$876 million in revenue—a record high. The traditional pork chop bento remained the most popular item, with 7.18 million boxes sold during the year, far more than any other variety.

According to Central News Agency's English-language Focus Taiwan report on Oct. 26, Taiwan Railways sold a total of 9.42 million bentos in 2025, an average of about 25,800 per day. Although annual sales were below the record 10.54 million boxes sold in 2019, revenue rose 9.07% from the previous year to NT$876 million.

By product, the pork chop bento ranked first with 7.18 million boxes sold. The chicken leg bento came second with about 560,000 boxes, followed by the Kaohsiung Double Happiness bento, featuring braised pork chop and fish fillet as its two main dishes, with about 260,000 sold.

Taiwan's railway bento culture dates back to 1949 and has long been intertwined with rail travel and memories of eating at train stations. The traditional pork chop bento typically comes with a pork chop, rice, egg and a bean-based side dish, making it a familiar classic for many travelers.

By sales location, Taipei Main Station recorded the highest bento sales last year, selling 2.65 million boxes. Hsinchuang? No, New Zuoying Station in Kaohsiung sold about 800,000, while Banqiao Station in New Taipei City sold about 680,000.

Taiwan Railways said its bentos are prepared by six catering units in Taipei, Qidu in Keelung, Taichung, Kaohsiung, Hualien and Taitung. The Taipei unit is the largest production base, making about 3.507 million bentos last year.

Taiwan Railways is cautiously optimistic about bento sales this year and plans to continue improving quality and introducing specialty bentos tied to festivals and local agricultural products to attract more consumers.

Railway bentos are more than a convenient meal for travelers; they have gradually become part of Taiwan's food culture. Maintaining their classic flavors while attracting younger consumers through local ingredients, limited-edition products and improved quality will be an important focus for the future development of Taiwan Railways' bento business.