Tian bu la refers to fish paste that's been molded into various shapes and sizes, deep-fried, then boiled in a broth. Before eating, the pieces of solid fish paste are taken from the broth and smothered in brown sauce.
Doesn't sound like much, but tian bu la delivers plenty of sweet flavors and chewy textures, making it a beloved Taiwanese food. The food is basically a Taiwanese take on Japanese oden, with more sugariness, tougher fish cakes and a signature sauce. When you finish the bits of fish cake, there's more to come.
We recommend getting some soup from the vendor and adding it to the remaining sauce in the bowl. Mix and drink the resulting flavor bomb.
Simon Tian Bu La, 95 Xining South Road, Wanhua District, Taipei City; +886 2 2331 2481