Taipei's Affordable Eats Spot: Must-Try High-Value Crispy Fried Pork Ribs!

Text & Photos byOld K

I discovered this place after having Sanhe Rice Noodle Soup last time. The aroma of fried pork ribs made me think they must be delicious, so it wasn’t long before I came here, haha XD

This spot is right next to Sanhe Rice Noodle Soup—actually, it’s next to the place next to it. There’s a newly opened Bafang Yijii potsticker shop between the two, so just look for Bafang Yijii and you’ll find it.

The menu is pretty similar to a regular noodle shop, and the prices are average. Aside from what’s on the menu, you can also order side dishes. This time, Old K was good and didn’t get any sides XD. Just a bowl of soy sauce noodles and wonton soup for me. Of course, the fried pork ribs were a must!

Soy Sauce Noodles (Small, 50 TWD), Wonton Soup with Shredded Noodles (40 TWD)
The soy sauce noodles and wonton soup arrived quickly together, but why is there cabbage on top—the one thing Old K hates the most? XD

These noodles are a bit different from the usual plain noodles I’m used to—they’re thicker, giving off a handmade noodle vibe. Even though it’s a small portion, the serving size isn’t too little. The soy sauce flavor is really rich, with a savory umami and slightly sweet taste, leaning toward a southern Taiwan style. The noodles were a bit softer than I expected and lacked some chewiness, which is a bit of a shame, but the soy sauce flavor is still quite good. At 50 TWD for a bowl, it’s pretty affordable.

Then came the fried pork ribs after just two bites of noodles—these ribs are quite generous in portion size, almost as big as a fried chicken cutlet!

Fried Pork Ribs (60 TWD)
And when you cut into them, you can see the juices inside, which means they weren’t over-fried. Using chopsticks as a scale, you can tell the ribs are pretty thick. For this price, it’s really great value. These fried pork ribs really taste a bit like crispy pork rib nuggets—the meat is tender yet chewy with juicy bits, and the outer crust is super crispy. Though the crust is a bit thick, it doesn’t turn powdery when you bite into it. Don’t let the size fool you—the bone only takes up a small portion, with just one or two pieces actually having bones. It’s basically boneless pork rib nuggets—so delicious!

After eating dry noodles and fried pork ribs, you might feel a bit greasy, so naturally, it’s time for soup right away. The soup has a peppery taste—Old K thought it was okay. The wontons have a pretty Q texture to their wrappers, putting them at a mid-to-high level among wontons. Old K counted eight wontons, and they’re pretty big. At 40 TWD for the bowl, it’s also quite affordable.

After eating the fried pork ribs, you’re bound to get thirsty. Luckily, there’s a place right across selling watermelon juice—700cc for 30 TWD, which is pretty cheap. I immediately bought a cup to drink. It was ice cold and really refreshing. For the price, the flavor is pretty rich too.

Old K’s Little Tips: Their fried pork ribs really offer great value for money. The noodles and soup are also quite affordable, making it a solid choice for a meal. Old K especially wants to pair their fried pork ribs with the rice noodle soup and sides from the nearby Sanhe Rice Noodle Soup spot, then go across the street to grab a cup of watermelon juice XD. Friends who love fried pork ribs shouldn’t miss this!

Old K’s Personal Ratings (Out of 10, higher is better)
Taste: 8.1 (rated for ribs only)
Value for Money: 8.5
Dining Ambience: 4.5
Price: 7.5

Jiayuan Pork Rib Noodles
Address: No. 59-2, Lin Sen South Road, Zhongzheng District, Taipei City
Phone: 02-2341-0855
Business Hours: 11:00–21:00 (Closed on Sundays, New Year’s Day, Dragon Boat Festival, and Mid-Autumn Festival)

Old K
Keep eating, Old K!

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