Yilan-style Traditional Chicken and Melon Meatball Noodles – The broth is clear, sweet, and flavorful, with tender, juicy chicken.

Text & Photos byDaKou

This time, DaKou is taking everyone on another food adventure in Yilan again. While on an assignment in Yilan, we happened to spot two spots on our must-visit list — “16th Lane Chicken and Melon Meatball Noodles” and “30-Year-Old Shop Lemon Grass Jelly” — just nearby. Despite the holiday crowds, we immediately queued up. These two eateries are located along Section 3, Zhongshan Road in Yilan City, right across from “He Sheng Tai Ping,” an ad location where Takeshi Kaneshiro once shot a commercial. They’re also near “Beimen Garlic Pork Rib Soup” and “Heritage Garlic Pork Rib Soup,” making it quite a food hotspot area. The “16th Lane Chicken and Melon Meatball Noodles” serves generous portions of chicken and melon wonton pasta at reasonable prices. You can taste the egg aroma in the dish, and the broth is clear and sweet, with tender, juicy chicken that’s simply delicious. Next door, the “30-Year-Old Shop Lemon Grass Jelly” has been around for well over 30 years. Its hand-washed lemon grass jelly and authentic passion fruit bubble tea are signature bestsellers that nearly everyone orders. Their sweet and tangy flavors offer a refreshing treat that’s extremely satisfying. Now, let’s take a closer look at how delicious these traditional treats really are.

[Shop Information]
16th Lane Chicken and Melon Meatball Noodles
Tel: (03)936-4797
Address: No. 154, Section 3, Zhongshan Road, Yilan City
Business Hours: 12:00–24:00

30-Year-Old Shop Lemon Grass Jelly
Tel: (03)935-8698
Address: No. 156, Section 3, Zhongshan Road, Yilan City
Business Hours: 10:00–24:00 (Closed on Wednesdays)

“16th Lane Chicken and Melon Meatball Noodles” is located along Section 3, Zhongshan Road in Yilan City, and “30-Year-Old Shop Lemon Grass Jelly” is right next door — so you can enjoy both delicious dishes in one go. Just be warned, both spots get crowded, especially on holidays, so you might have to wait in line a bit.

Since the line for “30-Year-Old Shop Lemon Grass Jelly” was incredibly long, we decided to fill up first and then queue up later for some lemon grass jelly as dessert. Let’s start with “16th Lane Chicken and Melon Meatball Noodles.” The shop is situated under an arcade with limited seating, but the turnover is pretty quick.

Ordering is simple: just grab a tray for NT$10 or a plastic plate for NT$30, and pick whatever you want. There are lots of choices. Dried pasta is also hung on the walls — you can even take some home to cook if you’d like.

The interior is casual, and the dishes are served in steaming pots because the shop is part of a food court. In addition to the signature chicken and melon meatball noodles, there are also more common dishes like wonton noodles, pork rib noodles, soybean paste noodles, and pig liver noodles, all reasonably priced.

I ordered one bowl of chicken and melon soup (NT$80), one bowl of chicken and melon pasta (NT$55), one bowl of soybean paste noodles (NT$35), and one bowl of fish ball soup (NT$30). Aside from the soybean paste noodles, the other four arrived very quickly.

The portion of the chicken and melon soup is surprisingly large, and it’s not too greasy. It’s rich yet easy to drink.

The ingredients — the melon, chicken, and so on — are all very fresh and flavorful.

If you prefer something less heavy, the chicken and melon pasta is a great choice. Unlike the soup, which is hearty, the pasta has a lighter flavor.

The melon in the soup is stewed until soft and slightly crisp, with the saltiness fading into a gentle sweetness that’s pleasantly refreshing.

The chicken soup here is similar to what you'd find in a chicken rice shop. The chicken slices are tender and smooth, and the addition of ginger gives it a fragrant touch. It has a light yet aromatic flavor.

The pasta stays firm in the broth — not overly mushy, yet still pleasantly chewy.

The service is super friendly. After finishing your meal, they’ll even pack up any leftovers nicely for you.

Pairing the chicken and melon soup with the pasta is highly recommended. The chicken is juicy and flavorful, and the pasta is firm without being tough.

The pasta uses a thin noodle similar to plain wheat noodles. Just drizzle on the sauce, mix it up, and it’s good to go. The flavor isn’t too salty or heavy, and it’s very aromatic, complementing the chewy noodles perfectly.

After enjoying our meal, we headed over to “30-Year-Old Shop Lemon Grass Jelly”! The line was ridiculously long — it stretched the length of three storefronts. There's a sign on the wall with ordering tips: #1 is lemon grass jelly, and #2 is passion fruit bubble tea — both are their signature drinks. Just tell them the number when you order.

The store is small, but it’s well-organized. They use paper cups, which are environmentally friendly and easy to hold. The line moves relatively fast, which is a plus.

%The auntie at Jiazao Kaozhi is just one person but incredibly efficient—she remembers what every customer ordered and has an amazing memory. She’s really impressive, you guys. But despite the long queues, she never gets impatient. Instead, she cheerfully chats with everyone, super friendly and talkative. Friends who go there should definitely strike up a conversation with her—she’ll be happy to respond!

%The Passion Fruit Duo at Jiayi Café is made with a whole bottle of Yakult, so it’s super generous with the ingredients. It has the sweet-tangy flavor of passion fruit paired with the rich sweetness of Yakult—it’s super refreshing!

%After getting your snacks, you can head off to the next spot in high spirits—what a joy!

%“Shiliu] Guazi Ji Mian” (Melon Chicken Noodle) may not have many seats, but the turnover is fast, so you won’t have to wait too long. There are plenty of choices, and the prices are reasonable. The signature Melon Chicken Wonton Pasta is especially generous in portion, with the aroma of eggs and soft, chewy pasta that’s a big favorite. The clear, sweet broth is full of the delicious flavors of melon and chicken—the melon is crispy, the chicken tender, and it’s absolutely delicious. Next door, “30-Year-Old Shop Lemon Grass Jelly” uses a Hui Sheng drinking water system, no ice added, and everything is made with real ingredients. The handmade grass jelly is soft, smooth, and silky. Add a bit of lemon for a sweet and tangy treat. Another popular drink is the Passion Fruit Duo, made with a whole bottle of Yakult and passion fruit juice—it’s bursting with passion fruit aroma, lightly tangy and sweet, cool and refreshing. These two classic local treats will leave you totally satisfied. And since they’re right next to each other, you don’t have to go far. Highly recommended for friends visiting Yilan—when you get the chance, come try them. You’ll probably fall in love with them just like I did!

【Shop Information】
Shiliu] Guazi Ji Mian (Melon Chicken Noodles)
Phone: (03)936-4797
Address: No. 154, Section 3, Zhongshan Road, Yilan City
Business Hours: 12:00–24:00
30-Year-Old Shop Lemon Grass Jelly
Phone: (03)935-8698
Address: No. 156, Section 3, Zhongshan Road, Yilan City
Business Hours: 10:00–24:00 (Closed on Wednesdays)