Craving street food even in a narrow alley? Try the crispy and fragrant Rice Vermicelli Soup from Alleyway Noodle Soup

▲ Freshly fried tofu and tempura with crispy golden crusts.

Text & Photo / Nine-Five Nasty Wife

I still remember the first time I saw rice vermicelli soup when I moved to Taipei for school — I was shocked: “Why is the vermicelli thick and short? Why isn’t it the long, thin kind?” But over the years, I’ve grown accustomed to this unique flavor that differs from my hometown’s.

The beauty of rice vermicelli soup lies in its moderate portion — a single bowl can serve as a light snack, while adding a few side dishes makes for a satisfying meal. It’s suitable from daytime to late-night hours, and you can find a rice vermicelli soup shop with a sizzling hot stove right at the entrance in almost every night market or busy district. For me, the most satisfying one is “Alleyway Noodle Soup” located in Taipei’s Jingmei Night Market.

▲ A simple bowl of rice vermicelli soup is a perfect late-night choice.

True to its name, Alleyway Noodle Soup is beloved not only by “alleyway insiders” but also seated within a narrow lane barely wide enough for one person. In recent years, as business has boomed, an indoor dining area has been added. Though it lacks the unique charm of dining in the alley, the indoor section is bright and air-conditioned — a thoughtful upgrade.

▲ Dining in the cramped alley is also a signature feature of the shop.

Aside from the signature rice vermicelli soup, there are nearly 20 side dishes to choose from. Beyond the basics like fried tofu, rice sausage, pork skin, and head meat, there are also limited offerings such as “heavenly ladder” (pork gum), pig’s eyes, black tubes, and white tubes. Personally, I’m particularly fond of the combination of rice vermicelli soup with fried tofu, tempura, and red braised pork.

▲ In addition to rice vermicelli soup, nearly 20 side dishes are available.

The soup, made from pork bone broth seasoned lightly with chopped scallions and pepper, offers a simple and honest aroma. The simmered rice vermicelli remains chewy and springy — best enjoyed hot. The red braised pork slices, with their perfect balance of fat and lean, are thinly cut, and the sweet-salty flavor of the red yeast rice is refreshingly delicious, meeting a high standard of taste.

▲ Each slice of red braised pork is savory with a hint of sweetness.

The crispy outside and soft inside of the fried tofu, along with the slightly chewy tempura, are freshly deep-fried and served hot with golden crusts still steaming. Paired with dipping sauce and pickled cucumber for added flavor, each element brings its own texture and taste. Even the humble cucumber, marinated to perfection, cuts through the richness with its refreshing tang. Picking up a piece of tofu here, a spoonful of rice vermicelli soup there — it’s the same beloved taste I’ve enjoyed for over a decade.

▲ Customers who prefer not to squeeze into the alley can dine in the indoor area.

While not among the most mainstream street foods, rice vermicelli soup holds a special place. There’s something heartwarming about squeezing into the little alley with friends, ordering a few plates of sides to share, and savoring the steamy rice vermicelli soup — making you want to call out on a cool evening: “Boss, one bowl of rice vermicelli soup — extra pepper, please!”

▲ Alleyway Noodle Soup.

Alleyway Noodle Soup
Address: Inside Jingmei Night Market, No. 117, Jingmei Street
Business Hours: 18:00–24:00
Prices: Rice Vermicelli Soup NT$25, Fried Tofu NT$15, Tempura NT$15, Red Braised Pork NT$50

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