2 Must-Try Popular Eateries in Longtan, Taoyuan – High-Value Roast Duck and Rice Noodles

Text & Photos /Sir San Gao

Recently, while driving back to Taoyuan via National Freeway No. 2, I made another stop in Longtan. After trying the old military dependents’ village rice noodles for breakfast last time, this time I visited Auntie Ari’s (apparently a shop that’s been around for nearly 30 years), and then swung by to pick up some Yiwang roast duck to bring home for my family’s lunch.

Auntie Ari’s rice noodles are located in a residential area on a slope, where the terrain is uneven—some parts flat, others steep—giving off the vibe of a countryside alley. Compared to the old military dependents’ village rice noodles I tried last time, both are run out of homes with space converted for business, but this one has a much narrower storefront, yet the business is thriving.

They offer a few basic staples: rice noodles, rice vermicelli, yellow wheat noodles, and flat rice noodles. There aren’t many braised side dishes—just a few. For someone like me who usually likes a heartier meal at a snack shop, I had to settle for simplicity. There were a few condiments on the table: chili vinegar, sugar, fish sauce… Those who like more variety can adjust the flavors themselves.

Though the selection of braised side dishes wasn’t very diverse, the flavors were familiar and pleasant, with just the right balance of sweet and salty. The tofu was soft, the pig ears had no unpleasant odor, and they even added some crushed peanuts. The rice noodles took a while to prepare—I almost finished all the side dishes before they arrived.

The rice noodles were served in a light chicken broth base. Although there was some floating chicken fat, the aroma wasn’t particularly strong, which was quite different from the rich chicken soup flavor I had imagined. Nevertheless, my partner and I polished off both the rice noodles and vermicelli. Adding a bit of sugar and chili vinegar brought out the layers of flavor. The rice noodles were thin, smooth, soft, and slightly springy, and the chicken breast meat wasn’t dry at all.

After eating, we headed to Yiwang at the corner shop. It’s best to make a reservation the day before to avoid waiting in line. Prices have gone up a little compared to last year, but given the quality, it’s still definitely worth it.

Don’t underestimate roadside roast duck shops—there are still some that serve delicious, well-made roast duck. Yiwang’s cherry duck is the highest value-for-money one I’ve had so far (I was just saying recently how I don’t like to talk about cost-performance these days). Aside from the good-quality meat, the freshly sliced crispy skin is especially fragrant and oily.

Eating it on its own is a bit too greasy, but wrapping it in a pancake with sauce balances it out. I asked the boss lady (Auntie Tsai) if they might offer dine-in service in the future—it’s a pity that for now, it’s only takeout. You can ask them to wrap the whole plate in a takeaway bag to keep the skin crisp instead of steaming it inside.

Auntie Ari’s Rice Noodles
Address: No. 2, Lane 21, Alley 111, Gancheng Road, Longtan District, Taoyuan City
Business Hours: 06:30–18:30 (Closed Mondays)

Yiwang Roast Duck
Address: No. 589, Zhongfeng Road, Longtan District, Taoyuan City
Business Hours: 11:00–18:30 (sells out and closes early; closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays, irregular hours otherwise)
Phone: 0932-108694

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