A snack stall with 60 years of heritage—oily shallot rice and squid soup noodles full of nostalgic flavors

Text & Photos /KUNI

(Oily shallot rice full of nostalgia)

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Old Uncle’s Squid Soup
Location: Opposite No. 19, Lane 210, Section 2, Yanping North Road, Datong District, Taipei City
Phone: 0955-341-050
Hours: 07:00–14:30, Mon–Sat
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Rarely do I wake up feeling so refreshed early in the morning, so I made a special trip to the unfamiliar vicinity of Dihua Street to fill my stomach. This long-established old vendor stands alone and lonely in the alleyway, having been in business for nearly sixty years. Yet the signboard inside claims it’s a 45-year-old shop. The menu on the wall, gradually yellowed and blurred, shows that it hasn’t changed for many years.

(An old shop that has stood for nearly sixty years)

(The stall’s old signboard hasn’t changed in years)

(The gradually yellowed and blurry menu)

(Business card)

I ordered oily shallot rice (NT$25) and squid soup noodles (NT$50)
Plus an order of blanched greens (NT$30).

The seating area offers both disposable and regular chopsticks, which is quite thoughtful. The oily shallot rice is quite likable—even though the rice is slightly overcooked and a bit too firm, its old-fashioned aroma is just nostalgic. When I was overseas, my mom knew I loved shallots, so every time she flew in, she would bring me a pack. This ingredient, along with canned goods, was absolutely the best lazy-cook solution for us overseas students back then.

(Two types of chopsticks are offered)

(Oily shallot rice)

"Today’s squid is well-prepared!" I couldn’t help but exclaim with the first bite. The squid chunks wrapped in fish paste varied in size—some big, some small, and some even had two pieces. The texture is hard to describe. It’s not particularly tender or soft, yet its mix of crunchiness and elasticity deeply captivated me.

(Today’s squid is well-prepared!!!)

I really love this kind of old shop.

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