Must-Try Campus Eats at Tamkang University: “Affordable & Hearty” Chicken Chop Rice with a Homestyle Touch

▲ The daily fresh fried chicken chop rice is a student favorite, with extra-large chicken chops that can cover an entire bowl of white rice. (Photo provided by Mom Chen’s Shop)

Intern Reporter Li Jiarong / Reported and photographed in New Taipei City

At the bustling food hub “University Town” next to Tamkang University, a wide array of snacks is always packed with students during mealtimes. From Chinese-style bento boxes and Hong Kong-style roast meats to Western-style pasta, there’s something for every student. Hidden in a lane within University Town is“Mom Chen’s Shop”, where the signature fried chicken chop and pan-fried chicken leg rice are highly recommended by students. With unlimited rice refills and all-you-can-drink beverages, students leave feeling completely satisfied.

▲ Although many dishes are now prepared by part-time staff, Dad Chen still comes to the shop to help out every day.

The Chen family, originally from Pingtung, faced financial difficulties due to failed investments. At the time, their eldest son was studying at Tamkang University, so the whole family relocated to support each other and eventually ended up in Tamsui. Nearly 70-year-old Dad Chen Maozhu, a retired CPC Corporation employee who had never set foot in a kitchen, learned to cook through trial and error and picked up skills from friends. He also adopted the“affordable & hearty”business philosophy. Using freshly sourced meat daily is the key to the deliciousness of the meals. Committed to quality, Dad Chen keeps ingredient costs nearly equal to the selling price, offering approachable prices while serving students extraordinary flavors.

▲ “It feels like home” is a common sentiment among students dining here.

In the past, next to Mom Chen’s Shop, there was a year-round popular shaved ice store run by the Chen family’s youngest daughter, Chen Weining. In summer, they sold shaved ice and traditional tofu pudding, while in winter, they offered handmade glutinous rice balls. The shop’s 80 seats were often fully occupied. But over a year ago, Chen Weining became paralyzed from the waist down and lost her sense of taste due to an accident. Despite this, the cheerful and optimistic young woman didn’t give up on her decade-long dream of running a coffee shop. Unable to lift heavy objects due to her spinal injury, she explored alternative ways to brew iced coffee. Importing Tanyard coffee beans, Carnation condensed milk, and Ceylon black tea from Hong Kong, she spent months experimenting and practicing to help support her parents. Recently, she began test-selling coffee and authentic Hong Kong-style milk tea at her mother’s shop.

▲ To fulfill his daughter’s dream, Dad Chen specially made posters to display in the shop.

Mom Chen’s Shop – Must-Try Recommendations

Crispy Fried Chicken Chop Rice
The daily fresh chicken chops are first marinated in a sauce made with fried chicken powder, seasonings, and an exclusive secret recipe. After marinating, the chicken is coated in flour and deep-fried until golden. Each bite releases juicy, tender meat.

▲ Using a unique marination method, the chicken remains soft and juicy with flavors locked in.

Thai-Style Chicken Chop / Fried Chicken Nuggets
Each chicken chop is as big as a plate, almost completely covering the white rice. The homemade Thai-style sauce, based on lemon juice with garlic, chili, fish sauce, and coconut powder, offers a tangy and spicy kick that stimulates the appetite. Dad Chen also makes smaller portions of fried chicken nugget rice using leftover chicken, perfect for female students.

▲ The exclusive fried chicken nuggets are smaller in portion, ideal for female students.

Pan-Fried Chicken Leg / Braised Chicken Leg
To offer more variety, Dad Chen introduced pan-fried chicken leg rice, a lower-calorie and healthier option. The chicken skin is crispy and flavorful, with a fragrant aroma that bursts in your mouth, paired with juicy, tender meat for both taste and health. The braised chicken leg is cooked directly in broth and then slow-simmered, resulting in delicate meat that easily separates from the bone with chopsticks, all while maintaining the chicken leg’s shape and soaking up the savory braising sauce.

▲ The crispy-on-the-outside, tender-on-the-inside chicken leg chop, with its rich sauce enhancing the chicken’s natural flavor.

▲ The braised chicken leg is incredibly tender—Dad Chen’s proud specialty. (Photo provided by Mom Chen’s Shop)

The Chen family’s dedication to quality ingredients and delicious flavors shines through in every dish. Lin Guanling, a student who worked part-time at the shop this semester, said that Dad and Mom Chen treat their staff like their own children, making it a joy to work there. As an insider, she assured that hygiene and food safety are top priorities. She also admired the couple’s hard work and dedication for their family, hoping that customers can feel the warmth and family-like hospitality with every visit.

Mom Chen’s Shop
Phone: 02-2620-4955
Address: No. 14, Lane 41, Alley 182, Beixin Road, Tamsui District, New Taipei City
Business Hours: 11:00–21:00, Closed on Sundays
Crispy Fried Chicken Cutlet Rice – 75 RMB
Thai-style Chicken Cutlet Rice – 80 RMB
Fried Chicken Nuggets Rice – 70 RMB
Pan-seared Chicken Thigh Cutlet Rice – 85 RMB
Braised Chicken Thigh Rice – 85 RMB
Crispy Fried Chicken Thigh Rice – 85 RMB