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Japan city launches edible-looking boot souvenirs inspired by Taiwan braised pork rice

‘Mysterious’ footwear fashion item crafted to look identical to iconic dish takes culinary craftsmanship to a new level; includes ‘soft-boiled egg’

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A Japanese city has launched wearable boots which resemble the iconic Taiwan-style braised pork rice dish. Photo: SCMP composite/Taobao/rakuten.co.jp
Yating Yangin Beijing

A city government in Japan has unveiled a bizarre yet impressively realistic pair of fully wearable boots modelled after Taiwan’s beloved dish, braised pork rice.

The creation has sparked a lively discussion on social media and left netizens in Taiwan both amused and in disbelief.

The wearable boots look amazingly like the famous Taiwan pork dish with rice and vegetables. Photo: Tokorozawa City website
The wearable boots look amazingly like the famous Taiwan pork dish with rice and vegetables. Photo: Tokorozawa City website

Lu rou fan, or braised pork rice, is one of Taiwan’s most iconic dishes. It features tender pork simmered in a sweet and savoury soy sauce.

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The dish is served over white rice with vegetables and a boiled egg and is loved by locals and tourists alike.

Recently, a quirky and eye-catching pair of shoes mimicking the appearance of this fragrant dish was introduced as a premium gift option under Japan’s Hometown Tax system.

The foodie footwear comes complete with real-looking boiled eggs. Photo: Tokorozawa City website
The foodie footwear comes complete with real-looking boiled eggs. Photo: Tokorozawa City website

This unique fiscal system, enacted into law in 2008, allows taxpayers living in urban areas of Japan to redirect a portion of their income and residential taxes to rural regions in exchange for tax credits on both income and residence taxes.

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