Taiwanese brunch recommended by locals in Taoyuan: cold noodles and meat sauce spaghetti

Text / Photo bySan Gao Sir

When I returned to Taoyuan, I invited my old buddy out for Taiwanese brunch again. He told me about two good noodle shops—one is Huai Zhen Zhan, which serves cold noodles, and the other is an unnamed Xi Shui spaghetti right across from Liufu Baozi on Jianguo Road; they also sell braised pork rice and pork ball soup.

I don’t usually eat cold noodles, and in Taoyuan, the only one I know of (that everyone knows) is Ke Kou Cold Noodles. Huai Zhen Zhan seems to have quite a history (just look at that sign). The shop only sells cold noodles, miso soup, and seaweed soup. Similar combinations are common in Taipei, but when I ordered at the counter, I noticed the noodles being prepared behind the counter—they looked glossy, moist, and quite fresh. There was also a big bag of small dried fish used for making the miso soup, and the soup indeed had a strong umami flavor from the fish, with a sweet taste typical of Taiwanese style.

As for the cold noodles, they were genuinely delicious—the noodles were glossy, springy, and just as they looked. The combination of mashed garlic, sesame paste, and soy sauce created a particularly well-balanced flavor—slightly sweet and tangy with a rich depth that really stimulated the appetite. The shredded cucumber wasn’t dry or coarse either, showing careful preparation. I ended up getting another portion to go—it was simply wrapped in a plastic bag, not the usual box.

This noodle shop on Jianguo Road just had “Xi Shui Spaghetti” written on the sign. Taiwan has so many unnamed eateries like this, and when the menu is such a mishmash of items, it’s hard to grab anyone’s attention. I figured I’d just give it a try, so I ordered saltwater spaghetti, braised pork rice, pig intestine soup, and a few simple side dishes.

The saltwater spaghetti came in an iron bowl. Nearby on Tao Ying Road, there’s also an unnamed fermented batter egg pancake shop that uses an iron plate—there’s just something nostalgic about that. I liked the meat sauce on the spaghetti—it was soft, aromatic, and perfectly balanced between sweet and salty. This kind of finely minced fatty pork is a northern Taiwan style I really miss, but for some reason, it's been hard to find anything satisfying lately. Especially when it’s poured over rice as braised pork rice, it’s so addictive you just can’t stop shoveling it in. As for the spaghetti, it was overcooked, lacking chewiness and a bit watery. I’d just passed through Tainan’s Yanshui a few months ago, and compared to that, there’s still a gap.

It’s an okay spot for everyday eating.

Huai Zhen Zhan’s Exquisite Cold Noodles
Address: No. 758, Chunjia Road, Taoyuan District, Taoyuan City
Business Hours: 6:00 AM – 5:30 PM

Jianguo Road Unnamed Xi Shui Spaghetti
Address: No. 6, Jianguo Road, Taoyuan District, Taoyuan City

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