Let’s dig in at this spot recommended by foodies near Zhongshan Station – a top-notch Hong Kong-style café

Text & Photos / Scenic Spots by Liao Weiren
 
Zhongshan Shopping District is packed with eateries, making it one of Taipei’s top food battlegrounds. Hidden down an alley near the Zhongshan MRT Station exit is a Hong Kong-style café that’s highly recommended by many foodies. Today, we’re taking you and our editor Jingbian to try it out together...

Ming Xiang Yuan Diner is a very popular Hong Kong-style café with multiple branches. Today, Editor Jingbian dined at the Zhongshan branch. Located on the second floor, the dining area is bright and slightly crowded, instantly transporting you to the densely populated streets of Hong Kong where you can enjoy authentic Hong Kong-style cuisine.

They offer a wide selection of main rice and noodle dishes as well as congee options. Basically, if it’s available at a typical Hong Kong-style café, you can find it here – whether it’s soy sauce chicken rice, dry stir-fried beef hor fun, or century egg and lean pork congee.

Editor Jingbian ordered the pork chop, luncheon meat, and fried egg rice, as well as the Thai basil pork rice. The portion sizes here are very generous. The pork chop and luncheon meat in the pork chop meal are two thick slices, plus a semi-runny egg – it’s super satisfying. The Thai basil pork rice is extremely flavorful and pairs perfectly with rice. Although it leans more on the savory side rather than being spicy like the Thai basil pork dishes some may expect, it’s still incredibly delicious.

What’s a Hong Kong-style café without authentic desserts? The super indulgent lava custard and egg yolk Swiss roll toast may look simple at first glance, but once you cut into it, the molten egg yolk custard shines brightly. The butter slowly melts on the crispy toast, and the smooth texture and aroma when you take a bite – Editor Jingbian gives it a big thumbs up.