In Taiwan, what Mandarin name is used for popiah?

In Taiwan, the Mandarin name used for popiah is runbing (潤餅). The name literally refers to a moist or soft pancake-like wrapper, distinguishing this fresh spring roll from crisp fried varieties.

Taiwanese runbing is made with a thin wheat-flour crepe and a generous filling. Common ingredients include cooked jicama or turnip, bean sprouts, cabbage, carrots, omelette, tofu, Chinese sausage, peanuts and sometimes seafood or meat. The wrapper is not deep-fried, so the finished roll is soft and pliable.

Regional styles differ. In northern Taiwan, fillings are often seasoned and stir-fried, while southern versions are more likely to use blanched ingredients and emphasize sugar and peanut powder. Taiwanese Hokkien speakers may use a different local pronunciation, jūn-piánn, rather than the Mandarin runbing.

Runbing is closely related to popiah traditions from Fujian and Teochew communities. Similar rolls appear across Southeast Asia under names such as popiah, bò bía and lumpia, but those names should not be confused with Taiwan’s Mandarin term.