Great value for money! 4 pasta choices to choose from A large-portion, affordable Italian pasta shop

Text & Photos byDaKou

I’ve been to Hsinchu a few times recently and feel that there are more food options in Hsinchu now — whether it’s the ambiance, the meals, or the cost-performance ratio, there are quite a few attractive aspects! For example, the “Uncle Beard Pasta Workshop” Hsinchu Train Station Front Branch, where I recently had a meal with friends, is located on Xinyi Street, right next to the moat riverside park in front of Hsinchu Railway Station. The indoor environment is elegant and comfortable, paired with large floor-to-ceiling windows that not only provide great lighting but also let you enjoy the scenic view of the moat while dining — it’s all very cozy!

The highlight is that they offer a wide variety of dishes. Besides pasta, there are also various types of meat platters, risottos, appetizers, desserts, and drinks to choose from. The prices are very reasonable — you can enjoy a set meal for just a small amount of money, leaving you both full and satisfied! Next, let’s take a look at what delicious offerings “Uncle Beard Pasta Workshop” has in store!

It’s located on Xinyi Street, right next to the moat riverside park in front of Hsinchu Railway Station. After exiting from this exit, walk straight toward the elevated walkway and you’ll soon see it.

There’s a small logo at the entrance. Just follow it all the way to the end and take the elevator up!

The restaurant has seats on two floors. We were seated on the second floor, which was not affected by the noise downstairs. The environment is quite cozy, and you can also enjoy the view of the bustling streets downstairs, which isn’t bad at all!

There aren’t many decorative elements, but the warm lighting creates a cozy atmosphere. It’s perfect for relaxing after a day out, and you can also peek at the scenery of the bustling streets outside the window.

The environment here is really quite pleasant, and the lighting is great too, making it suitable for taking photos. Outside the window, you can also see the scenery of the moat riverside park.

There’s also an outdoor seating area on the first floor, which is great when the weather is nice — I think it’s very suitable for a date.

By the way, the prices here are also very student-friendly. The first time I came, my friend recommended trying the set meal. Starting from just NT$350, you can get a main dish, salad, soup, bread, dessert, and drink — it’s both satisfying and filling! Here are some options for you to check out!

There are quite a few soup options. You can choose between cream soup or tomato soup. Both are quite popular, and you can select the one you prefer based on your taste.

There aren’t many choices for bread, but the garlic bread is not bad either — it’s only NT$90, and it’s really tasty!

There are also quite a few noodle options to choose from, ranging in price from NT$9 to NT$250. You can also pick any four types of pasta — the cost-performance ratio is really high!

There are also quite a few drink options to choose from, ranging from NT$39 to NT$250, which are also pretty affordable!

For the salad and soup sections, you can mix and match. You can also choose just one if you prefer.　

The soups we tried that day were French pumpkin soup and potato soup. The portions were also quite generous!

The soups are all made fresh on-site, with no extra additives added. The pumpkin soup tastes quite sweet and delicious, smooth and tasty!

I also tried the mushroom soup and corn soup. They weren’t too heavy either, and they tasted pretty good — especially the mushroom soup!

The bread here is also only NT$10 each! When served, the bread is covered with a red cloth, which looks not only high-end but also helps keep it warm! The French bread with Caesar dressing is salty and sweet, smooth in texture, and pairs quite well with the French bread! The French bread with salsa is made with homemade salsa by the shop — it’s slightly tangy and sweet, with a bit of texture, quite refreshing and appetizing!

The Lemon Garlic Chicken (NT$170) has a subtle lemon aroma. The portion is quite generous, and it’s crispy and delicious! It’s paired with a slightly tangy and refreshing salad that cuts through the richness nicely — the combination works really well!

The Shrimp Salad (NT$170) has five peeled shrimp on top, and the portion is quite generous. It’s paired with a yuzu salad dressing and nuts, giving off a subtle fruity aroma — it’s refreshing and appetizing! The Caesar Chicken Salad (NT$170) has crisp lettuce paired with tender chicken slices, with a slightly sweet and salty taste. Fans of Caesar salad shouldn’t miss this! The Fruit Yogurt Salad (NT$170) uses a variety of seasonal fruits paired with lettuce and yogurt dressing. It’s slightly sweet and sour, with a fruity and yogurt aroma. This salad is perfect for hot summer days and is also quite popular among girls!

The Pasta (NT$139 / with pumpkin fettuccine) — the plates they use are quite simple and elegant, and the portion of pasta is also quite generous!

The pasta here lets you freely choose the sauce. We went with creamy sauce this time. I personally prefer creamy sauce, and you can also choose a spicy version that’s even richer. The creamy sauce has a rich flavor, and it’s quite tasty!

The pasta absorbs plenty of the green pesto aroma. It’s rich, smooth, and flavorful — quite delicious!

The Seafood Pasta (NT$169) — at first glance, the portion isn’t small either, and it comes with ingredients like clams, shrimp, squid, and scallops. There are also lemon slices on the side to enhance the aroma and remove any fishy smell!

The seafood flavor isn’t too strong. It has a subtle seafood aroma and the inherent fragrance of the risotto. The taste is rather light. Personally, I still prefer pasta more when it comes to stronger flavors!

Their risotto doesn’t have an overly strong flavor, with a subtle aroma of seafood and the inherent taste of the rice itself. The taste is on the lighter side, so those who prefer bold flavors might still lean more toward pasta.

% The seafood pasta with cuttlefish spaghetti (189 NTD) comes with a variety of seafood ingredients such as clams, shrimp, and squid. Paired with white sauce and anchovy roe, it's aromatic and incredibly appetizing as soon as it’s served!

% The tomato-based seafood pasta is rich and flavorful, with tender squid, shrimp, and scallops, all complemented by a savory tomato sauce. The taste is unexpectedly delicious when paired together!

% The creamy seafood pasta is also highly recommended. The sauce is rich and indulgent, with an umami flavor that lingers pleasantly.

% The veal ribeye set meal is 590 NTD (choose your own bread, soup, salad, dessert, and drink). The veal ribeye slices are so appealing when they arrive at the table — there are eight pieces in this portion alone. Sides include rose salt, pickled cucumbers, and a special spicy sauce, all of which you can use to season the meat according to your preference!

% The veal ribeye set is perfect for sharing. Even if you’re dining alone, you can enjoy a taste of every component by mixing and matching.

% The golden, glistening appearance of the meat makes you want to take a bite right away!

% The veal ribeye has a slightly pink center that offers a tender and juicy texture. When you cut into it, the layer of fat between the crust and the meat is soft and bouncy, almost like biting into gelatin. The meat is not dry at all but rather soft and tender. Eating it plain is already delicious, but dipping it in the accompanying rose salt enhances the aroma even more. For those who enjoy spice, the special spicy sauce adds another layer of flavor complexity!

% The pork knuckle is 280 NTD, served with pickled mustard greens, honey mustard sauce, and a special spicy sauce!

% The pork knuckle is crispy on the outside and juicy within. It looks absolutely delicious!

% The pork knuckle has just the right amount of crispy skin. The layer of fat between the skin and meat is incredibly soft and tender, giving a full-mouth gelatinous feel. The meat itself isn’t dry at all but is soft, tender, and bouncy. It’s delicious even on its own, but pairing it with the special spicy sauce elevates the flavors even further with more diverse textures!

% The mango salsa goes really well with the pork knuckle. The sweetness of the mango balances the saltiness of the meat, and the spiciness of the salsa adds a refreshing kick. It’s truly a perfect match!

% The texture of the pork knuckle is silky smooth yet tender. It’s not greasy at all in the mouth, and you can enjoy the multiple textures of skin and meat together!

% We also chose the drinks included in the set: pomelo tea (150 NTD), fruit tea (150 NTD), and iced lemon tea (150 NTD). Although these were part of the combo, their taste was nothing short of impressive, each offering a unique and delightful flavor!

% The rose milk tea is 100 NTD. It has a rich and aromatic taste with a hint of rose fragrance and smooth milky notes — it’s quite delicious!

% There are many dessert options available here, and they are all quite affordable. The cheesecake is 10 NTD per slice. It has a smooth and velvety texture, with a slightly soft and bouncy feel. It pairs wonderfully with fresh fruit. Another unique option is the caramel sweet potato, made by whipping sweet potato with fresh cream. It offers a sweet sweet potato aroma along with a subtle caramel toastiness. The overall taste is surprisingly delightful!

% The grapefruit soda has a refreshing citrus tang that feels very palate-cleansing. The French-style crème brûlée features a crisp caramel top with a smooth custard base underneath — simple yet delicious. The ice cream is vanilla-flavored, sprinkled with a bit of matcha powder. It’s not overly sweet and gains a fragrant touch of matcha, making it refreshing and aromatic!

“Uncle Beard’s Pasta Workshop” has an elegant and comfortable atmosphere with spacious seating. You can even enjoy a view of the moat while dining from an elevated position. It’s a great spot for gatherings with friends, colleagues, or family meals. With a wide variety of dishes, the pasta here starts at just 99 NTD. Combo meals start at 350 NTD, offering everything from appetizers to desserts and drinks. The flavors are consistently good, and the prices are very reasonable!

Especially popular is the veal ribeye set meal, which you can enjoy for just 590 NTD. It features tender, juicy, and well-seasoned veal ribeye in generous portions — it’s both filling and satisfying. Highly recommended. If you have the chance, come try “Uncle Beard’s Pasta Workshop.” You might just find your new favorite dish!

【Shop Information】
Uncle Beard’s Pasta Workshop(Hsinchu Station Front Branch)
Address: 3F, No. 76, Xinyi St., East District, Hsinchu City (next to the Moat Riverside Park)
Phone: 03-5243553
Business Hours: 11:30–22:00 (Monday to Sunday)
Website:http://uncle.threekings.com.tw/
Facebook Fan Page:https://www.facebook.com/beardunclehsinchu

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