The Chinese people have long regarded the consumption of exquisite food as one of life's greatest pleasures. Almost all the edible things found on earth, be they livestock, poultry, seafood or fruit and vegetables, have been incorporated into delicious dishes by skilled Chinese chefs. Recently, however, the rapid growth of a modern commercial society has made it impossible for most people to go home to eat their mid-day meal. As a result, fast food stores in both western and oriental styles have sprung up all over the main cities to meet the public demand for reasonably priced meals served speedily in hygienic and attractive surroundings. Among the main forms of these fast food outlets are the following:

Burger: The fast food habit first caught on in the highly industrialized society in the United States. The outlets which sprung up as an essential adjunct of such facilities as shopping and recreation centers, airports, railway stations, and gas stations fully reflect the highly pitched life-style of the American people. Of all the fast foods served in the U.S., burgers are perhaps the most representative.

Though this popular American food was introduced to the Republic of China several years ago, systematic management did not start until 1978, when a local textile businessman picked up the idea during his tours abroad. The flavor of the burgers served by this chain, which has three branches in Taipei, has been changed slightly to suit local palates. Burger-making equipment used in the outlets has been obtained from abroad, and chefs have been trained in Japan and Hong Kong.

Main items served at these stores are beef or pork burgers selling for 70 U.S. cents, fishburger for 83c, cheeseburger for one dollar, and jumbo hamburger for US$1.40. Other items are hot dogs, sausages, shrimp cake, milk shakes, french fries, corn soup, coffee, tea, soft drinks and juice. The main store, located next to the Taipei Railway Station, is popular with both travelers and office workers. The American selfserve style is adopted, and patrons are required to dispose of their garbage in the cans provided and replace their trays before they leave the premises.

Another burger chain with four branches, Burger Queen, is invested by local people, but uses equipment imported from the U.S. Since all the techniques and ingredients, such as meat, pickles, cheese and all kinds of sauce come under the supervision of the parent Burger Queen of the U.S., the flavor is purely western.

These two fast food chains are marked by automatic operations. As the methods, ingredients, quantities and timing have all been formulated in advance, little training is needed for chefs. The outlets are clean and sanitary, and the kitchen is open for public inspection. All dining utensils are made of plastic or paper and are disposable.

In addition to burgers, Burger Queen also serves onion rings, French fries, soft drinks, fried chicken and pizza. A one fourth chicken plus coleslaw and French fries cost US$2 per serving and half a chicken US$3.30.

Pizza: Shakey is known all over the world for its much advertised pizza, although it also serves fried chicken. Introduced only recently to Taipei, Shakey's pizza has since become popular among local people. Shakey serves 21 different types of pizza, with fillings ranging through green pepper, salami, Italian sausage, pepperoni, and beef and onion. The simple tables and chairs, colorful glasses and balloons and decorative plants create a homely atmosphere in the chain's branches. Prices of pizza vary according to the ingredients and sizes. For instance, a single pizza with one ingredient is priced at US$2, while one with five ingredients costs US$3. Pizza parlors are always packed at lunchtimes and during holidays.

Economic lunches: Western restaurants in Taipei specialize in economic lunches for office workers. On average, these lunches, which include bread, soup, salad and main dishes consisting of pork, chicken, beef, curry and macaroni, served with fruit, and coffee or tea, are priced at around US$3. After lunch, people like to relax and listen to music in the cosy atmosphere of these restaurants.

Buffet: Buffet lunches are another popular form of fast food in Taiwan. Customers are free to choose their favorite dishes of food displayed at a counter, including cold cuts, salad, steak, fruit, cake, pudding and coffee or tea. The prices, averaging between US$5 and US$8 per head may seem on the high side. Service is quick, however, and hearty eaters can take as much as they want.

Since it is mostly the younger generation who like to eat Western food, a natural development in Taiwan has been the Chinese-style buffet. Unlike the practice in Western-style buffets, however, customers are only charged for what they consume, and a simple meal may cost as little as US$1.

As Chinese style buffet has become more popular, many restaurants in the line have enlarged their business from family-style to chain operation. The Wei Yu Co., for instance, now has four branches which accommodate 500 people at a time each. All the cooks in the restaurant receive culinary training and customers may choose from some 40 different dishes on display. The stainless steel tray on which the food is served is easy to clean. Competition among these restaurants ensures that food is up to standard, prices economical and the premises clean.

Lunch box: At one time, lunch boxes were only served at railway and bus stations to long-distance passengers. With the rapid industrialization and commercialization of society, however, they have become a popular form of fast food among city workers. Taipei alone has more than 70 companies making up lunch boxes, and vendors can be seen all over the city around mid-day.

In general, lunch boxes contain chicken, fish, pork or beef, sausage, salty egg, vegetables, dried radish, pickled vegetables and rice, and cost about US$1 each. Through the use of mass management and promotion techniques, these lunch boxes have become popular in schools, and factories as well as with office workers. The Tien Yi Co. is perhaps the maker with the most potential for development.

When he started his enterprise, the manager of Tien Yi invited professors from the departments of nutrition science in universities to act as consultants on making up a balanced meal. All the chefs must wear uniforms and masks while they prepare the food to ensure absolute cleanliness.

All the ingredients are prepared the previous day, and except for the vegetables, are cooked on the spot. The manager is currently working on plans to prepare the food using an automated system. Following the example of hamburger chain stores in the U.S., he hopes that Tien Yi lunch box outlets will one day be set up in every corner of the island to provide people with a nutritious, fast, delicious and low-cost lunch.

Cantonese style: Fast food in a purely Chinese style is provided in Cantonese restaurants where salted and dried chicken, pork, duck, egg, liver and bean curd are served in an attractive way. The Feng Chen Restaurant located near the National Taiwan University in Taipei is perhaps one of the most well-known in the field. For a dish of preserved meat with vegetables and rice, the charge is only about US$1.00 to US$1.50.

According to the proprietor, the preserved meats are marinated in sesame butter, soy sauce, sugar and salt, and baked or fried, or dried in the wind. Timing is regarded as the most important element in preparing this food.

Japanese style: Perhaps the most popular item in this style of cuisine is sushi, a type of rice laver roll, served with raw fish fillet. To make sushi, one must first mix the rice evenly with sugar and vinegar and then add scrambled eggs, bean curd skin, minced dried fish, carrot, sesame and mushroom before wrapping.

Another popular type of Japanese fast food is known as the "Tien Don" lunch. Found in all the Japanese restaurants in Taipei, this dish consists of a beef and onion stew poured over a bowl of rice. Since the average cost is only about US$1.00, business in these restaurants is brisk.

Experts in the field in Taipei predict that the use of fast food restaurants will grow in the future as society in free China becomes more industrialized and commercialized.

[Picture Caption]

The rapid growth of a modern commercial society has made it impossible for most people to go home to eat their mid-day meal. As a result, fast food such as burgers, fried chicken, French fries, soft drinks, hot dogs, coffee, tea and other items are provided speedily in hygienic and attractive surroundings.

Introduced only recently to Taipei, the pizza has since become popular among local people.

Economic lunch, Western and Chinese style buffet are samples of popular forms of fast food in Taiwan. Competition among restaurants ensures that food is up to standard, prices economical and the premises clean.

To ensure absolute cleanliness, all the chefs must wear uniforms and masks while they prepare lunch boxes. Preparation of the food using an automated system is being planned. Fast food in a purely Chinese style is provided in Cantonese restaurants where salted and dried chicken, pork, duck, egg, liver and bean curd are served in an attractive style.

A Japanese style fast food meal served with pork, fish or beefsteak and fried chicken, rice or noodles and a bowl of soup, is economical and hygienic.

As a result, fast food such as burgers, fried chicken, French fries, soft drinks, hot dogs, coffee, tea and other items are provided speedily in hygienic and attractive surroundings.

As a result, fast food such as burgers, fried chicken, French fries, soft drinks, hot dogs, coffee, tea and other items are provided speedily in hygienic and attractive surroundings.

As a result, fast food such as burgers, fried chicken, French fries, soft drinks, hot dogs, coffee, tea and other items are provided speedily in hygienic and attractive surroundings.

Introduced only recently to Taipei, the pizza has since become popular among local people.

Introduced only recently to Taipei, the pizza has since become popular among local people.

Economic lunch, Western and Chinese style buffet are samples of popular forms of fast food in Taiwan. Competition among restaurants ensures that food is up to standard, prices economical and the premises clean.

To ensure absolute cleanliness, all the chefs must wear uniforms and masks while they prepare lunch boxes.

Preparation of the food using an automated system is being planned.

Fast food in a purely Chinese style is provided in Cantonese restaurants where salted and dried chicken, pork, duck, egg, liver and bean curd are served in an attractive style.

Fast food in a purely Chinese style is provided in Cantonese restaurants where salted and dried chicken, pork, duck, egg, liver and bean curd are served in an attractive style.

Preparation of the food using an automated system is being planned. Fast food in a purely Chinese style is provided in Cantonese restaurants where salted and dried chicken, pork, duck, egg, liver and bean curd are served in an attractive style.

Preparation of the food using an automated system is being planned. Fast food in a purely Chinese style is provided in Cantonese restaurants where salted and dried chicken, pork, duck, egg, liver and bean curd are served in an attractive style.

A Japanese style fast food meal served with pork, fish or beefsteak and fried chicken, rice or noodles and a bowl of soup, is economical and hygienic.

A Japanese style fast food meal served with pork, fish or beefsteak and fried chicken, rice or noodles and a bowl of soup, is economical and hygienic.

A Japanese style fast food meal served with pork, fish or beefsteak and fried chicken, rice or noodles and a bowl of soup, is economical and hygienic.