Local Snacks on Miaoli Nanzhuang Old Street: Handmade Noodles with Q-Bounce Pork Skin!

Text & Photos by /Mika

After wrapping up our hydrangea tour at Gaoshan Qing Farm, we headed to Nanzhuang Old Street for some food. While everyone knows about Osmanthus Alley, it's more of a tourist hotspot. I personally prefer checking out local markets or evening markets for the most authentic eats. Fortunately, when we went, a few shops in the evening market were still open, especially this Songhe Snack Shop that offers Nanzhuang’s unique pork skin rice (or noodles) and Guoguo noodles.

Pork skin is rich in collagen. My mom used to braise it for us — it’s great for replenishing collagen and easy on the stomach. But outside, it’s rare to find dishes centered around pork skin. I find it really unique and flavorful. I recommend ordering the dry pork skin noodles because they’re made with Nanzhuang’s famous handmade noodles that are firm, Q-bouncy, and super chewy. Absolutely delicious.

Nanzhuang Market isn’t very big, mostly selling vegetables, fruits, meat, and seafood. The most eye-catching spot is Songhe Snack Shop right at the entrance — we were drawn in by the pork skin rice.

It’s a very local-style snack shop.

Dry Pork Skin Noodles & Pork Skin Rice
The dry pork skin noodles are an off-menu item that you have to write in. I’m a big fan of Nanzhuang’s handmade noodles, but I don’t like soup, so I customized an order for dry pork skin noodles. The boss was really nice and willing to accommodate our requests.

Dry Pork Skin Noodles
The pork skin is really braised to be savory, sweet, and deeply flavorful. The Hakka-style fried shallots are seriously amazing — the aroma is intense and fragrant, and I couldn’t help but buy a jar of crispy fried shallots to take home. Nanzhuang’s handmade noodles are a must-try — they’re particularly thick, hearty, and chewy. Paired with the richly flavored fried shallots and pork skin, it’s a Hakka-flavor experience that lingers in your memory.

If you like spicy food, don’t forget to ask the boss for their homemade chili sauce — it’s genuinely pure chili flavor, truly spicy but not overly salty.

Pork Skin Rice
A generous helping of pork skin and pickled mustard greens over rice. It’s not a huge portion, but it’s packed with ingredients and looks really comforting.

Wonton Dry Noodles
This is also an off-menu item. Since it’s summer and many people don’t want soup noodles, dry noodles are popular. Their wonton dry noodles come with meat chunks, fried shallots, wontons, and Nanzhuang handmade noodles. The combination seems simple, but it’s incredibly tasty!

I think the fried shallots make a huge difference — the aroma of the whole bowl of noodles is intoxicating, and when you mix it, the air fills with that captivating oily fragrance. No wonder it’s the handmade fried shallots from the Hakka region!

Marinated Meats Platter
Includes items like tofu and kelp — the flavors are on the lighter, refreshing side.

Hakka Glutinous Rice Balls
Not sure why I ordered this bowl, but since it was hot no one else wanted it XDD. But wow, there are so many plump glutinous rice balls in this bowl — tiny, super Q, probably made with sticky rice!

Guoguo Noodles
It’s basically what we know as meatball noodles, but the difference is that the meatballs here are even more “gluey” than others. But because the flavor is so rich — sweet with a hint of sourness — and there are plenty of meatballs, even though they’re gluey, it doesn’t negatively affect the texture.

After finishing at Songhe Snack Shop, go for a stroll down Osmanthus Alley!

The Pavilion-Foot Ice Eggs are super popular — you’ll see tourists can’t resist gathering wherever there’s a crowd.

I couldn’t help but buy one to try.

It’s basically a smoked, chilled sugar-center egg. It’s probably been smoked, which gives it a uniquely fragrant taste — unlike regular sugar-center eggs, it has a smoky aroma.

Nanzhuang Century Post Office
Closed on holidays, and most shops in Nanzhuang Old Street start winding down after 5 PM anyway.

I even missed out on the Japanese matcha glutinous rice ball ice cream I wanted to try. Came too late — you’ve got to get there before 5 PM to have a chance.

To make up for missing out on the icy treat, let’s head to Guihuaduoduo for Nanzhuang’s famous osmanthus mixed snow ice instead. Is Nanzhuang known for its abundant osmanthus? Osmanthus wine and osmanthus-related products are sold everywhere, but I find them too sweet—just not my thing.

This noodle shop has a very traditional Japanese-style decor, though it mainly serves hot food. They only sell snow ice in the summer!

They serve all kinds of authentic Hakka snacks!

Osmanthus Mixed Snow Ice
It’s basically a shaved ice with red beans, Job’s tears, and pineapple, drizzled with osmanthus wine.
Personally, I found it too sweet. The osmanthus aroma is strong but overly sugary, and the pineapple flavor really stands out—I didn’t enjoy this one much.

Songhe Snack Shop  
Address: No. 13-43, Minsheng Street, Nanzhuang Township, Miaoli County, 353
Phone: 037-822435
Hours: 06:00–17:00

Guihuaduoduo
Address: No. 24, Lane 12, Dongcun, Nanzhuang Township, Miaoli County
Phone: 0922398808
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