Local Snacks in Yunlin: The Simple Joy of Alleyway Noodles

Text & Photos /San Gao Eats Han

This time in Yunlin, I only stayed for a brief day and night. The next day at noon, I came to Huwei for lunch. It was the Monday of the last day of the Qingming holiday, and the shops and stalls along Zhongzheng Road were quite lively with crowds.

Turning into Nanhuaxi Road, you’ll find A’s Shiitake Meatball Soup. After having a simple meal of alleyway noodles, I stopped by here for more food. Walking ahead, the old-fashioned Fumin Old Street is on the left, and on the right is the classic alleyway noodle shop. During the lunch hour, there was a constant stream of takeout customers. As someone who clearly looked like an outsider, I stood out a bit.

The menu is simple, pretty much like any regular noodle shop. It reminded me of my childhood when my parents might take me out for noodles and some side dishes. As a kid, I didn’t know better—I just ate what I was given. So in my mind, noodle shops and side dishes always had that certain taste.

When I got a bit older, I developed a liking for novel foods, especially those from abroad. But as I grew older and tried more, I realized that the humble roadside noodle shops common in Taiwan aren’t just one-note. Some long-standing local snacks or noodle shops may not have a single standout feature, but they have their own charm. They may not be uniquely special, but they taste good in a simple, fundamental way—something you really need to appreciate with your heart.

After placing the order, the wait was actually a bit long, probably because they were really busy. Aside from dry yellow noodles, you can also choose dry plain noodles and mix them with the broth at the bottom. Stir it up, pick up a bite, and enjoy the smooth, flavorful texture.

I specially ordered sesame sauce noodles, which I hadn’t had in a while. The sesame sauce that sticks to the bottom of the bowl needs a good stir. Once mixed with a bit of the broth, it doesn’t clump together. The flavor isn’t particularly unique, but it’s still quite tasty.

Among the assorted cold cuts, a few items seemed to be popular or in limited supply. Why do I say that? After waiting for a while, when the food finally started arriving, the staff informed me that the pig’s intestine and pork cartilage I’d ordered were sold out. Alright then, I’ll just have the pork esophagus and pig tongue slices. The pork esophagus had the perfect balance of softness and crispness, and the flavor wasn’t bland. The pig tongue slices were from the softer root part of the tongue, rich in meatiness but slightly lacking in umami—still, overall, they were pretty good.

Dipping them in a little garlic-flavored soy sauce worked perfectly. Or you could add some Yunlin’s Chijiang sauce, though its sweet-spicy flavor tends to overpower, so it’s better used on noodles or other dishes.

Finally, I ended the meal with a bowl of greens. I didn’t eat much this time since I was heading to A’s later. But in terms of satisfaction, I’d say this place beats A’s.

Traditional Alleyway Noodles (formerly Peacock Shop)
Phone: 05-6366033
Address: No. 87, Fumin Road, Huwei Town, Yunlin County

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