Must-eats in Toucheng: Longji Beef Noodles and Grandpa’s Bomb Scallion Pancakes that sell out in just 20 minutes

▲ Large, flavorful chunks of beef are one of Longji’s signature features.

Text and photos by Jiuwu Eqi

I’d long heard about an incredibly popular Longji Beef Noodles shop right in front of the Toucheng Railway Station in Yilan. Not only is it open for lunch only, but after queuing up for a number, you often have to wait over half an hour—and there’s even a chance it’ll be “sold out, come back tomorrow” within two hours. With its huge popularity and beloved taste, Longji Beef Noodles was even voted “Number One among Yilan’s Top 100 Snacks.” So on this trip to Toucheng, trying this super-popular beef noodles was a must.

The noodle shop is easy to find—just walk about 200 meters to the right from Toucheng Railway Station, and you’ll see it after passing the Toucheng Cultural and Creative Park. Though it wasn’t a holiday, by the time we arrived at 11:30 a.m., there were already crowds both inside and outside the shop, either dining or waiting in line.

▲ Longji Beef Noodles, located right across from Toucheng Railway Station.

It’s said that the shop’s signature dish is“Beef Trio Noodles”, but when Jiuwu Eqi tried to order it, a huge “SOLD OUT” sign was already plastered on the menu. True to reputation, every item here is limited in supply. According to a local foodie, if you want to try the Beef Trio Noodles, you need to line up 30 minutes before opening—or else they’ll be gone in just 20 minutes.

Although we couldn’t get the Beef Trio Noodles, there was still the option of Meaty Tendon Noodles.

First off, these noodles are extremely generous in portion—even an adult man can eat his fill. Take a sip of the broth, and while the initial flavor hits strong, it finishes with a hint of sweetness and aroma, without being too greasy or heavy. According to the owner, this balance is achieved by using a mix of fruits, vegetables, and traditional Chinese medicine-based seasoning sachets, resulting in both fragrance and depth.

▲ The beef tendons have turned amber-hued and are delightfully chewy.

The noodles themselves are small hand-pulled ones with a slight curl and perfect firmness, soaking up the rich broth and topped with chopped scallions, adding even more flavor.

As for the stars of the bowl—the beef and tendon—the portion is quite generous. Three or four slices of beef, each about 2 cm thick, might make you think the visual appeal comes at the cost of texture, possibly making the meat too tough. But in reality, the beef is tender and flavorful from the braising, with deep seasoning throughout. As for the tendon, it’s fully absorbed the flavors, appearing in a translucent amber softness, offering a gelatinous chew with a rich taste of the broth that makes you want bite after bite.

▲ There are plenty of options on the menu, but Beef Trio Noodles are often the first to sell out.

Aside from the Meaty Tendon Noodles, my friend’s choice, Scallion Beef Noodles, also came in a hearty portion and used about 1 cm-thick slices of beef, thinner than those in the Meaty Tendon version. Though we didn’t confirm with the staff, we guessed different cuts were used to balance flavors—a thoughtful touch indeed.

However, the beef noodles here are on the saltier side, so some may find them a bit heavy midway through. For families or groups of friends, consider ordering a few different types and sharing them for a varied tasting experience.

▲ Bomb Scallion Pancakes are a nostalgic treat for many locals in Yilan.

Aside from Longji Beef Noodles, Toucheng Railway Station is also home to another famous snack:“Grandpa’s Bomb Scallion Pancakes.”This pancake stall operates out of a small food truck and sets up in the open space in front of the railway station after noon.

This scallion pancake stall has been around for 32 years. Though it may not look like much, it’s a childhood favorite for many in Toucheng and has now been passed down to the second generation—with Grandpa himself occasionally showing up to lend a hand.

▲ The bomb scallion pancakes are sold not from a shop, but from a small mobile truck.

These pancakes are made fresh, with the dough rolled and fried until golden in oil. An egg is cracked on top, followed by a generous sprinkling of scallions, then removed from the pan once the exterior turns crispy. Topped with simple seasonings and served hot, each bite is crispy, flaky, and guaranteed to be addictive.

A Little Food Tour of Toucheng
Longji Beef Noodles: No. 38, Zuanshan Road, Toucheng Township, Yilan County | 11:10 a.m.–Sold Out | Closed on Sundays
Grandpa’s Bomb Scallion Pancakes: In front of Toucheng Railway Station, Yilan | Sold after noon

For more Toucheng travel info, contact　

Eastern Resort & Spa Hotel
Address: No. 36, Section 4, Binhai Road, Toucheng Township, Yilan County
Phone: 03 978 0782