Taipei:Taiwan Railway Corp. has reported a record revenue of NT$876 million (US$26.87 million) from its iconic railway bento boxes for the last year, with the pork chop bento box maintaining its position as the top seller.

According to Focus Taiwan, the state-owned Taiwan Railway Corp. sold 9.42 million bento boxes in 2025, averaging about 25,800 boxes per day. Although this sales volume did not surpass the 10.54 million boxes sold in 2019, the revenue increased by 9.07 percent compared to the previous year, reaching an all-time high.

The pork chop bento led the sales with 7.18 million boxes sold, significantly outpacing its closest competitor, the chicken drumstick bento, which sold 560,000 boxes. The Kaohsiung Double Happiness bento, featuring a braised pork chop and a fish fillet, was the third most popular, with 260,000 units sold.

Bento boxes have been a staple of Taiwan's railway culture since their introduction in 1949, earning the railway company a reputation as "a bento company that just happens to run trains." The traditional pork chop bento, consisting of a braised pork chop with egg and tofu over rice, holds nostalgic value for many passengers. The company has diversified its offerings with chicken drumstick, braised pork, and fish options.

In terms of sales locations, Taipei Main Station topped the list with 2.65 million bentos sold, followed by New Zuoying Station in Kaohsiung with 800,000, and Banqiao Station in New Taipei with 680,000. The bentos are produced by six catering units across Taipei, Keelung's Qidu, Taichung, Kaohsiung, Hualien, and Taitung. The largest production base, located in Taipei, manufactured 3.507 million boxes last year.

Looking forward, Taiwan Railway Corp. expressed cautious optimism regarding bento sales for the current year, emphasizing plans to enhance quality and introduce specialty bentos featuring local produce and festival themes to attract more customers.