Free refills on noodles and rice? Big Guy's affordable Hong Kong-style café

Text and photos byShadow

It’s been a while since I last visited the Gushan Ferry area, and I noticed many unique little shops along Binhai 1st Road. As I walked by, what caught my eye the most was this adorable chubby truck in front of Big Guy Restaurant. According to the owner, they used to run a Hong Kong-style dim sum stall near the MRT station, which was very popular with nearby students. Since street stalls couldn’t provide a better dining environment for customers, they found a suitable storefront on Binhai 1st Road, finally settling here. This also ensures customers don’t have to dine in wind or rain, and the once-eye-catching chubby truck has now become the shop’s living signboard.

With its round eyes and chubby truck shape, it looks just like a character from *Cars*. As for the name “Big Guy,” it turns out the owner had lived in Hong Kong for a while and is also somewhat burly, hence the name of the shop.

He used to deal in antiques, so he brought out all his treasured vintage collectibles to use as decorations in the shop, giving it the feel of stepping into a time tunnel.

Old-time items can be found everywhere, and perhaps you might even spot something reminiscent of your own era among these displays.

Offering affordable Hong Kong-style cuisine, the place is especially popular with students. On regular days, it’s a common hangout for students, while on weekends, it attracts tourists who come here for its reputation.

The owner has collected old cameras over the years, displayed in a row on the wall—hard not to take a second look. The walls are also covered with yellowed vintage photos, like snapshots of bygone eras.

The display cabinet holds several early models of mobile phones, which are rarely seen in daily life these days with smartphones dominating.

When it comes to Hong Kong-style milk tea, one can’t not mention Black & White condensed milk. It feels like something is missing without it, and nowadays, many teahouses in Taiwan also import Black & White to use.

Old TVs used to be so huge, and some even had sliding doors to protect the screen. They could serve as both decoration and a stand for dishes or utensils—a two-in-one design quite interesting.

Ordering is self-service. There’s a menu at the counter for reference; just place your order and pay directly with the staff.

French Toast Ice & Fire – NT$35
French toast is what we know as “toasted bread.” Hong Kong was once a British colony, and its food culture has been heavily influenced by the West, evolving into a signature Hong Kong dim sum item. The soft French toast, filled with egg aroma and drizzled with maple syrup, is a simple yet delicious dessert—especially tasty when served warm.

Kaya Pineapple Bun – NT$45
The shop has adapted the Hong Kong-style pineapple bun to a more Taiwanese flavor, reminding many of the childhood taste of pineapple bread.

The filling inside is quite special—it’s called kaya, a common toast spread in Malaysia or Singapore. It’s made by whipping coconut milk (or cream) with eggs and sugar, resulting in a delicious taste.

Fried Egg Pork Chop Noodle Soup – NT$75
This noodle dish is packed with variety: besides the pork chop, there’s also minced pork and vegetables. The aroma is somewhat reminiscent of Taiwanese minced pork noodles.

The pork chop is well-marinated and pairs perfectly with the noodles.

The noodles have a rich scallion oil fragrance and the savory taste of minced pork. Whether it’s authentic or not, the flavor definitely suits our taste, and the portion is generous—great value for money.

Cheese Curry Chicken Rice – NT$110
At first glance, you can tell it’s a strong-flavored dish. The melted cheese slices blend with the curry sauce, making the taste milder and smoother. The curry itself is spicy—Shadow found it quite hot, so those who don’t like spice might want to be cautious.

The curry sauce is homemade by the shop, not store-bought curry cooked up. It has its own unique flavor, with a distinct Southeast Asian taste—spicy-food lovers will enjoy it.

Bak Kut Teh Soup – NT$60
Popular across Southeast Asia, Bak Kut Teh is a common local dish. Actually, there’s no tea in Bak Kut Teh; the name comes from the local Chinese habit of referring to herbal soup as “tea.”

Depending on the region, Bak Kut Teh also varies in flavor. The version here at the shop has a stronger peppery taste, different from the Bak Kut Teh soup we tried at Black Dog Café before.

Big Guy Char Siu Buns – NT$55 / three pieces

Char siu bao is one of the most iconic dim sum items in Cantonese cuisine. The char siu inside is relatively finely chopped, making it hard to tell that it’s actually barbecued pork — a bit of a pity.

Scallop Shaomai
Shaomai is also a common type of dim sum in Hong Kong-style cuisine. The shop offers seven flavors, with three pieces for 55 NT dollars. We found it a bit disappointing that the freshness of the meat wasn’t very prominent, leaving not much of an impression after eating.

Embroidered Ball Shaomai
Visually, it can’t help but remind you of pearl meatballs, but there’s still room for improvement in flavor. We hope the shop can put in a bit more effort to bring out its unique characteristics.

Shrimp Shaomai
The shrimp pieces are a bit small, and in terms of texture, it’s hard to tell that it’s shrimp-flavored. The shop could adjust this aspect.

Iced Lemon Tea 40 NT dollars (left), Silk Stocking Milk Tea 45 NT dollars / hot (right)
These two are the shop’s popular signature drinks. The milk tea has a well-balanced flavor between tea and milk, with no astringency, and the sweetness level is just right. The iced lemon tea has a hint of lemon fragrance, making it refreshingly cool to drink in the summer.

The shop serves affordable Cantonese-style dishes, and the flavors have been adjusted to suit the taste preferences of southern Taiwan. Those who have tried it might notice a Taiwanese twist to the Cantonese cuisine. Though it’s not authentic Cantonese food, it’s undeniable that some dishes are really delicious and to our liking — such as the instant noodles and curry chicken rice, which have their own distinctive charm. Next time you’re visiting near the Hama Star Ferry Pier, come check out this teahouse full of old-time memories. Recommended to everyone.

Address: No. 66, Binhai 1st Road, Gushan District, Kaohsiung City
Phone: 07-5319563
Business Hours: 11:00–22:00
 

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