A long-standing shop operating for over 50 years—Yilan locals’ secret braised pork meatball soup and rice vermicelli soup

Text and photos byLittle White Whale

Wenchang Road in Yilan City gathers together eateries such as Zhengxiong Snack Bar, Xinli Cat-Ear Fish Ball Rice Vermicelli, Shantou Wonton Noodles, and Wenchang Road Fried Sauce Noodles. Dating back to the Jiaqing era of the Qing Dynasty, the Wenchang Palace was built here, dedicated to the worship of Wenchang Dijun (the God of Literature), and flanked by academies and imperial examination sheds—hence the name “Wenchang Road.” Along this snack street, apart from the above-mentioned famous affordable eats, there’s also the [Ah Nan Rice Vermicelli Soup] tucked away inside the Wenchang Temple. After enjoying the rice vermicelli soup, don’t rush off just yet—just turn a corner and you’ll find the [No.1 Braised Pork Meatball Soup], considered the No.1 choice by many Yilan locals.

Without any prominent signage, [Ah Nan Rice Vermicelli Soup] sets up its modest stall quietly within the Wenchang Palace. Unless you come looking intentionally, you might miss out on trying it.

For centuries, Yilan County has thrived in scholarly culture and been a hub of intellectual activity, thanks in no small part to the Wenchang Palace, built in 1824.

Even today in the 21st century, during important exam seasons, people still visit the Wenchang Palace to pray for success and to top their exams.

The first-generation owner, Mr. Huang Ah Nan, started selling his soup from a street cart along Wenchang Road in the 39th year of the Republic of China (1950), before later setting up his stall in the Wenchang Palace. Carrots, wood ear mushrooms, shredded bamboo shoots, and fish cake slices... these ingredients have made [Ah Nan Rice Vermicelli Soup] a childhood treat for generations of Yilan locals.

After being taken over by relatives, this bowl of rice vermicelli soup, simmered with bone broth and dried small fish and loaded with rich toppings, continues to waft its delicious aroma within the Wenchang Palace.

[No.1 Braised Pork Meatball Soup] is located on Xihou Street, a not-so-wide road that runs parallel to the bustling Zhongshan Road, yet remains very peaceful.

Its rectangular little sign, with its faded red background and white characters, no longer clearly displays the shop name—it’s yet another humble old shop that you’d easily miss if you didn’t come looking for it.<

Braised pork meatballs, soy-braised pork rice, shredded bamboo shoots, and fried tofu—relying simply on these few classic old-school flavors, it has stood strong as a Yilan food favorite for over 50 years.

Missing the crispness of cucumber, missing pickled yellow melon or yellow radish—this simple bowl of soy-braised pork rice is so unpretentious, yet it absolutely delighted me.

With no elaborate side dishes, it simply offers just shredded bamboo shoots and soy-braised tofu—and I really wanted to ask the boss for two more bowls of plain rice.

This is that bowl of meatball soup. This is the very bowl of meatball soup that impressed a frequent customer—a local council member—so much, he named it the [No.1 Braised Pork Meatball Soup]. The soup is rich but not overly sweet, and the chewy pork loin strips aren’t coated in a thick layer of batter. No wonder it’s a beloved local snack for many Yilan folks.

An elder from Yilan once told me: “[Beimen Garlic-flavored Meatball Soup] is for outsiders, but us locals all eat [No.1 Braised Pork Meatball Soup].”

If you too love | holey beef? | the first pot meal | the 1st fragrance meal, you can't bear to miss this equally delicious and satisfying meatball | holey beef step. [| /p>

Related Information
[No.1 Braised Pork Meatball Soup]
Address: No. 21, Xihou Street, Yilan City　
Phone: 03-9323513
Business Hours: 06:40–16:00　

[Ah Nan Rice Vermicelli Soup]
Address: No. 66, Wenchang Road, Yilan City　
Phone: 03-9322458
Business Hours: 07:00–12:00, 14:00–18:00 (Closed on Wednesdays)

Little White Whale: loves sharing, photography, and travel
Happy to learn photography, letting me see the world from different perspectives; happy to taste delicious food, letting me enjoy the world through ordinary happiness. 

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