Coffin bread


Coffin bread, also known as coffin lid or coffin board, is a Taiwanese bread bowl which originated in Tainan.

History

Coffin bread has been sold at night markets in Tainan and Taipei since at least the 1940s. It became popular with US troops stationed in Taiwan. Sources credit the invention of coffin bread to Hsu Liu-yi, owner of Shengchang Old Chikan, a restaurant in Kangle Market since 1942.

Description

Coffin bread starts as a thick slab of soft white bread. The bread is hollowed out and deep fried or toasted before it is filled with a creamy stew of chicken, seafood, tripe, or mushroom. It is then topped with a piece of toasted or fried bread, creating the "coffin" look.