When you mention 'red-braised beef noodle soup,' what usually comes to mind is a rich, heavy, and dark broth. However, at Xiao Zou Beef Noodles, a beloved local spot in Taichung's Shuinan Market, the soup is here to shatter that stereotype. I also discovered something else: the dumpling shops in this neighborhood seem to have an unspoken rule—they all compete to see who can make the biggest ones. Don't believe me? Well, let's keep reading and you'll see!
In the pantheon of Taiwanese cuisine, beef noodles undoubtedly hold a prominent place. Yet, as we step into one beef noodle shop after another, the menu options of "Original Beef Noodle Soup" and "Braised Beef Noodle Soup" always plunge us into a delightful dilemma of choice. In truth, the secret to distinguishing their flavors isn't complicated: Original Beef Noodle Soup emphasizes the pure, natural essence extracted from long-simmered beef bones and meat, resulting in a clear broth with a rich, subtly sweet aftertaste. Braised Beef Noodle Soup, on the other hand, leans heavily on aromatic spices, offering a rich, deep-colored broth, often savory, slightly spicy, and layered with complex flavors.
而今天，我們要帶大家品嚐的，正是以「原汁」為主打的誠大牛肉麵。
這裡的原汁牛肉麵之所以令人難忘，正是因為它獨樹一幟地採用了牛肉爐的
湯頭作為基底，讓每一口湯汁都充滿了燉煮爐火的精華，將「原汁」的鮮美
提升到另一個境界。
Today, we're taking you to savor Cheng Da Beef Noodles , a shop renowned for its "Original" style. What makes their Original Beef Noodle Soup unforgettable is its unique approach: using a beef hot pot broth as its base. This infuses every spoonful with the essence of long, slow stewing, elevating the freshness of the "original" flavor to another level.
It's not common to find 24-hour brightly lit turkey rice restaurants in Taichung, offering a warm comfort to those returning home late. However, this particular establishment's "fame" comes not only from its delicious food available at any time but also from the occasional "intense scenes" that unfold within its walls, which have made it quite well-known.
Who says night markets are only for snacks? 🌶️ Oyster omelets, stinky tofu, Taiwanese meatballs... these are all classics of Miaodong Night Market. But did you know? Hidden in this bustling Taiwanese flavor is a mouthwatering Japanese oden spot! The contrast is surprising, isn't it? Today, let me show you another side of Miaodong Night Market!
In the bustling area of Taichung's Qinmei commercial district, at 100 Gongyi Road, there's a hidden gem called "Hao Pin Xiao Chi," a place that feels like a journey through time. It's not just a place that offers authentic Taiwanese snacks, but a nostalgic space where people can find warmth and relaxation in the midst of a busy urban life.
In today's metropolitan areas, finding beef noodles for NT$100 or less seems like a near impossible dream, especially in the city's core. Previously, to find beef noodles at this price point, I had to travel to Daya to eat at Daya Beef Noodles. However, since recently moving to the Shuǐnǎn area, I've discovered quite a few beef noodle places.
The one I'm introducing today was actually stumbled upon a few days ago while browsing an online forum—though the original post was about dumplings!
This restaurant is located on Section 2 of Chang'an Road in Xitun District, with the larger intersection of Henan Road nearby. During meal times, the restaurant is always packed.
A friendly reminder to everyone: whether you're ordering takeout or dining in, remember to queue up first and don't rush to place your order verbally. Otherwise, you might end up with an "attitude" dispute. Be patient, even though you're hungry. Letting your mood sour will ruin even the most delicious meal. It's not that the staff are necessarily rude; they're just probably very busy and a bit less friendly.
I opted for takeout this time, but I didn't eat it right away. Instead, I bought it at noon and reheated the soup in the microwave around 11 PM for a late-night snack. Surprisingly, even after half a day, it was still delicious after reheating, almost like a pre-packaged meal in terms of quality. Of course, it's still advisable to consume food as soon as possible after purchasing it, as there are always potential hygiene concerns with leftovers.
That's right, their small bowl of beef noodles is only NT$100. And considering their location in the bustling commercial area near Wen-Hua Senior High School, a prime district in Taichung's Xitun District, that price is truly a steal!
Even though a bowl is only NT$100, each one comes with 4-5 chunks of thick-cut braised beef. And I'm not exaggerating, the amount of meat surpasses many bowls priced at NT$120, and the thickness is truly impressive. While the texture isn't melt-in-your-mouth tender, it's still above average, as they use beef shank.
The soup is made by simmering a variety of spices with beef bones. The broth itself is relatively clear, without much oil, resulting in a rich yet refreshing braised beef soup. Their beef noodles don't come with greens, but the restaurant provides complimentary pickled mustard greens for unlimited helpings. The pickled mustard greens are stir-fried by the restaurant, with a slightly spicy but not sweet flavor, which adds a richer layer of complexity to the beef broth.
The noodles used look very similar to udon, but they have a bit more chewiness than udon noodles. Even when soaked in the soup for a while, they don't fall apart. Actually, for takeout orders meant to be eaten immediately, the soup and noodles can be packed together.
Actually, I learned about this place after seeing a post about Taipei's legendary old dumpling shop, Jing's Dumplings. The second-generation owner didn't continue the family business in the north, but instead came to Taichung to develop it. That shop is the Old Brand Shandong Dumplings and Beef Noodles that I'm introducing today.
What's truly impressive about them is their chive dumplings. I heard they're incredibly large and cheap (only NT$7 each, very generous). After trying their beef noodles and finding the taste to my liking, I'm planning to try their dumplings next time. I wonder if I'll get full after just five of them?
5. 店家資訊與地圖 (Store Info)
📍 山東老牌水餃牛肉麵
地址：407台中市西屯區長安路二段38號
電話：04-2295-0500
營業時間：10:30–19:30
公休日：週六
* 菜單品項價格如因物價波動等因素有做調整，以店家公布為主，僅供參考！
* The prices of menu items may be adjusted due to factors such as fluctuations in commodity prices, and the prices posted by the restaurant shall prevail. The prices listed are for reference only.
* 本文照片以 iPhone 16 Pro 拍攝
"Zheng Laopai Qingshui Rib Noodles" on Fuxing Road in Taichung is a taste cherished in the memories of many long-time Taichung residents. This venerable establishment, which originated in Fengyuan and has been a fragrant fixture in Taichung for nearly 50 years, tragically suffered a fire at the end of 2022. However, amidst everyone's anticipation, it has finally risen from the ashes and reopened!
Yongxing Street's grilled corn, a forty-year institution, has long been a favorite among gourmands. However, this established shop has recently stirred considerable controversy online due to its pricing. Indeed, the grilled corn at this establishment is not known for its affordability; rather, it employs a "weight-based pricing" system. In other words, the size and weight of the corn you select will determine the final price.
Next to the busy Daya Interchange, there's a hidden, unpretentious little shop, 'Xingchang Beef Noodles.' If you just pass by without knowing, you'll really miss it; I myself couldn't find it after leaving and turning back. With no fancy decorations or deliberate advertising, it relies on its affordable prices, authentic ingredients, and homestyle flavors to become a beloved taste supported by locals.
Sichuan beef noodles, as the name suggests, are all about the numbing and spicy kick! A generous amount of Sichuan peppercorns is a must. But this restaurant's "non-spicy" version is something I've never encountered before.
The unique numbing and fragrant Sichuan peppercorns blend into the delicious beef broth, making your mouth water just by smelling it. Although there's no stimulation from chili peppers, the aroma and numbing sensation of the peppercorns are enough to tease your taste buds, making you unable to stop eating one bite after another. This kind of non-spicy Sichuan beef noodle soup might be even more suitable for people who can't handle spicy food.
Located near Futai Community in Taichung's East District, right by Jinde Elementary School, you'll find Wei Zhen Xiang Beef Noodle Soup. The history of Futai Community, a public housing complex, traces back to Futai New Village, where families of military personnel who retreated from Phu Quoc Island in Vietnam (a recent travel hotspot) were settled.
Because of this, even though it's becoming less common, you can still find some traditional military dependents' village flavors in this area. There's another more famous beef noodle shop on the same road nearby called Niu Beibei Beef Noodles. Wei Zhen Xiang isn't as well-known, so it can be considered a hidden gem.
As this is a family-run business, the interior has likely remained largely unchanged since its opening. The dim lighting evokes a sense of nostalgia, transporting you back to the 2000s. The restaurants I frequented in my childhood were all illuminated by these same somewhat dim fluorescent lights.
If you want some braised snacks, pick what you want and put it on a plate. The owner's wife will slice it up, serve it, and tell you the price. If I remember correctly, a serving of pig's ear plus a large piece of dried tofu was around 80 NTD that day.
The texture of the pig's ear is good. The way it's sliced is similar to the Hunan style, and it's not overcooked. Thinly sliced firm tofu with the braising liquid absorbed into its pores, good flavor and soft texture.
The beef noodle soup is 120 NTD. I had to wait a bit longer for this bowl, but that's to be expected with a family-run shop. If you plan on eating here, come with a little patience!
The beef in this noodle soup has a familiar taste, both in appearance and texture. After a moment of thought, it hit me! It's the taste of the beef from the Republic of China (Taiwan) military canned food. Though the flavor might be vastly different, the texture is quite similar. The beef used is the belly part, not the commonly seen beef shank. The meat might have been stewed for a long time, causing the lean and fat parts to separate. The lean meat is a bit dry.
The soup has all the elements of a savory Sichuan-style broth, but it's not spicy. Instead, it has a fragrant and slightly numbing sensation from Sichuan peppercorns, which is quite unique. I can handle spicy food, but I'm not someone who needs chili in everything. With this kind of broth, I wouldn't want to add any extra chili sauce or chili oil.
The noodles are the typical flat, thin noodles. It's a bit of a shame for me that they don't offer thin noodles as an option. Aside from beef noodles and braised snacks, this shop also offers stir-fries, which seem to be quite popular. I saw many customers ordering them for takeout. I'll have to give them a try next time!
4. 店家資訊與地圖 (Store Info)
📍 味真香牛肉麵水餃
地址：401台中市東區進德路57號
電話：04-2211-6050
營業時間：11:30-20:00
公休日：無
* 菜單品項價格如因物價波動等因素有做調整，以店家公布為主，僅供參考！
* The prices of menu items may be adjusted due to factors such as fluctuations in commodity prices, and the prices posted by the restaurant shall prevail. The prices listed are for reference only.
* 本文照片以 iPhone 13 Pro 拍攝
The exploration of Taichung's culinary scene continues! Today, we venture into Heping Street in the East District to uncover a hidden breakfast gem with no signboard, yet unforgettable flavors - the "Nameless Fried Noodles on Heping Street." This incredibly popular fried noodle shop has been the breakfast choice of countless Taichung locals, offering old-fashioned fried noodles and flavorful pork offal soup to kickstart the day.
This fried noodle shop doesn't have a flashy signboard, fancy decorations, or even a name. The owner even hung a few canvas sheets under the awning for shade. Do you think it looks like they're open for business? If you're looking for this place, I suggest looking for the sign of "Taiwan Gear Manufacturing Machine" next door.
The menu is still handwritten on red paper and stuck to the wall. The owner has neat handwriting! The main item sold here is pork offal soup, and the only main dishes are fried noodles and dry mung bean noodles. You can order soup made with any of the pork offal cuts available, and if you're like me and don't want to choose, you can just order the combination soup. Although, I'm not sure if their combination soup includes all the ingredients or if the owner just puts in whatever they feel like.
Seating in the dining area is limited, so you might have to wait a bit during peak hours.
I've mentioned before that although Dongquan chili sauce is a Taichung specialty, many shops east of the railway don't use it. This shop, for example, uses Yufang chili sauce. If you want it spicier, add some extra chili sauce.
The key to the deliciousness of this place is this big pot of simmering pork offal. And how can pork offal soup be complete without fresh pig's blood? The pig's blood has a smooth and bouncy texture, and it's incredibly fresh without any hint of porky odor.
And this, my friends, is not cartilage, but the pig's aorta (脆管)! It's the main pipeline connecting the heart to the rest of the body's blood vessels. The texture is incredibly crunchy and slightly chewy, similar to cartilage or squid, but with a more delicate touch. Fresh pig aorta doesn't have a strong odor, and when properly cleaned, it's quite refreshing to eat.
Pig's bladder (小肚), which has another name, offers a smooth, crunchy, and chewy texture with no strong odor. The pig's small intestine offers a texture that's smooth yet chewy, with a nice balance of fat and resilience.
And lastly, this soup is the essence of the sun and moon! It's based on a large amount of pickled mustard greens and simmered with a variety of pork offal, creating the most authentic taste of breakfast for us Taichung locals.
4. 店家資訊與地圖 (Store Info)
📍 和平街無名豬雜
地址：401台中市東區和平街231號
營業時間：05:30–13:30
公休日：無
* 菜單品項價格如因物價波動等因素有做調整，以店家公布為主，僅供參考！
* The prices of menu items may be adjusted due to factors such as fluctuations in commodity prices, and the prices posted by the restaurant shall prevail. The prices listed are for reference only.
* 本文照片以 iPhone 13 Pro 及 SONY A7R2 拍攝
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