The long-established Kaohsiung eatery “Winter Noodles King” is always packed — free meals for seniors aged 80 and up, truly heartwarming

Text & Photos /Mazi Little Rabbit

In the summer of 2014, the “Pili Fantasy Martial Arts World – Puppetry Art Exhibition” was held from June 28 to September 14 at the Peng Lai Warehouse in Kaohsiung’s Pier-2 Art Center. Due to work, I’ve been back to Kaohsiung frequently lately, and I used my business trip meal times to revisit some of the city’s local delicacies.
I’m not just from Tainan—I’m also half a fake Kaohsiung native. My mother is from Kaohsiung, and my grandparents, aunts, and uncles all live there. As a kid, I used to visit Kaohsiung all the time, hung out with friends there during school, and even worked in the city for a while after graduation. So I do know Kaohsiung pretty well.
Even after working in Taipei for over ten years, every time I return to Kaohsiung, it doesn’t feel like much has changed—the old shops are still around, and I mostly end up eating at the same places. Of course, that’s just personal taste and habit. Back then, there was no blog or Facebook, so I never really documented anything. Now that I’m back in Kaohsiung often, I thought I’d gradually share some of my favorite local eats.

This time, I’m sharing 【Winter Noodles King】, located on Qixian 3rd Road in Yancheng District (near Dagong Road). It was established in 1970 and is one of the old shops in the area.

The current location is a bright and airy standalone shop with plenty of space to accommodate many customers, yet it’s always full and bustling with business every day. As far as I can remember, the shop has always looked like this, and I’ve been eating here for years, so I’m not sure what the old place used to be like. But that doesn’t matter—it’s the food that counts.

As the name suggests, 【Winter Noodles King】 is famous for its glass noodles, but the real stars are the offal and duck meat. While they offer various types of noodles—like mixed offal noodles, duck meat noodles, and pork liver noodles—personally, I prefer the dry glass noodles, which you don’t often find elsewhere. I recommend ordering a mixed offal soup, pork liver soup, or duck meat soup (whatever you like), paired with dry glass noodles, and add a plate of duck meat for a truly delicious meal.

【Winter Noodles King】 is very close to the Peng Lai Warehouse in Pier-2 Art Center—you can walk there in under 10 minutes. If you’re visiting the exhibition, be sure to stop by. There are also lots of other Yancheng District treats nearby, such as Granny’s Ice and Up’s Braised Snacks, which will definitely satisfy both your soul and your stomach.

% Recommended combo: mixed offal soup, pork liver soup, and duck meat soup

% Located on the second floor above a store, it’s a bit hidden, but the interior is spacious and cozy. Locals love this spot.

% The dining area is large and can accommodate many guests, yet it’s always full. If you don’t have a reservation, it might be tough, but it’s worth a try.

% Here’s the menu.

% The staff are friendly and will guide you to your table.

% The owner is super nice and remembers regulars. If you’re a first-timer, they might chat with you and offer some insider tips.

% The food here is quite affordable, and I think it’s great value.

% The portions are generous, and the taste is solid—no complaints here.

% The duck meat is tender and flavorful, perfect for the hot southern Taiwan weather.

% The offal soup is rich and savory, with just the right balance of ingredients, making it a popular choice.

There are also many sliced meat and soup noodle options here. The place is air-conditioned, and the dining environment is really comfortable—definitely worth a try.
Also, seniors aged 80 and above can enjoy a free meal here—how heartwarming is that?

【Winter Noodles King】
Phone: 07-5514-349
Address: No. 168, Qixian 3rd Road, Yancheng District, Kaohsiung (near Dagong Road intersection)
Business hours: 08:00–20:00