Irregular opening hours—you’ll need luck to get a taste of these sesame sauce noodles swimming in rich broth-like sauce.

Photos & Text /MIKA’s Food Adventure Journal

During this trip to Yilan, I tried plenty of authentic street foods from hidden alleys—like Dugumian, Lin Bei Roast Skewers, Tianxi Seafood Snacks, Ke’s Scallion Pancakes, and Wu Ji’s Peanut Roll Ice Cream...

I was pretty satisfied with all the food, but there’s one more iconic Yilan roadside eatery I have to mention: Da Mian Zhang Gambling Noodles. Why is it called “Gambling Noodles”? Again, the story goes that the boss is a gambling enthusiast who only started the business to earn money after losing bets. He often opens “two days fishing, three days drying nets” style—irregularly and unpredictably—so your odds of getting a taste of Da Mian Zhang are just as much a gamble as the name implies. You really have to get lucky XD...

We were pretty lucky—the first time we came, the shop was actually open. They start serving at 2:30 PM.


The location is quite unique—it’s tucked away in a fire lane, with just a few tables casually set up for business, and residents walking by in the background~


Looks like the boss isn’t around today—maybe the second generation has taken over the stall by now~


It’s environmentally friendly—I think it’s a great initiative.


This bowl has an old-school vibe—you can see the marks of time. The meatballs are handmade, shaped irregularly into rounds, and they look absolutely delicious.


There are only two types of dry noodles: sesame sauce noodles and satay noodles—both are their signature dishes.


You can also buy their handmade wontons and shiitake mushroom meatballs to cook at home.


Sesame sauce noodles (large) 60 NT$, (small) 35 NT$; satay noodles (large) 60 NT$, (small) 35 NT$. The size difference between large and small is huge—this photo doesn’t really show it, but the small bowl is genuinely tiny. The portion is perfect for us who’ve already had lunch and just want an afternoon snack~ XD


Sesame sauce noodles (small) 35 NT$. When I first saw the sesame sauce noodles, I thought for a moment that the boss had made a mistake. Didn’t I order dry noodles? Why did it turn into a soup noodle!?

Only after stirring did I realize that there’s a thick layer of sesame sauce and toppings underneath, and the broth on top is meant to blend with the sauce, making the sesame noodles moist and easier to mix and eat. The rich, dense sesame sauce has an intense aroma, and every strand of noodle is coated in sauce. The portion is very generous, and I love their handmade noodles—they’re fine and chewy with a great bite. I’m a fan of Da Mian Zhang’s noodles—fine yet full of texture.

The sesame sauce noodles have a rich, smooth, and velvety taste with a perfect balance of peanut and sesame aroma, with a hint of garlic adding depth. The overall flavor is layered, complex, and absolutely delicious.


 Highly recommend adding chili sauce—it takes the flavor to the next level.


Since the sesame sauce noodles are quite rich and thick, eating too much might feel a bit heavy. Adding chili sauce introduces a spicy kick that balances the flavors and makes it even tastier.

Satay noodles, small 35 NT$. The aroma of these satay noodles is just as captivating—if not more—than the sesame ones, and I actually like them even more~ It’s just a simple mix of satay sauce and crispy fried shallots with noodles, but as I always say, the simplest dishes often hide the most profound techniques. Because it’s so simple and pure, it requires an even richer foundation to create something truly delicious within that simplicity.

The saltiness of the satay is just right, complemented by its deep, robust aroma. The handmade noodles are chewy and bouncy—just the fine type I love. There are also chunky dried flatfish pieces in the satay sauce that mix into the noodles, adding extra layers of flavor. The rich, mellow aroma of the satay noodles is actually what left the deeper impression on me~ So compared to the sesame sauce noodles, I lean slightly more toward the satay ones ^^


Wonton & Mushroom Meatball Soup 40 NT$. This is another must-try signature dish. The shop’s homemade wontons and shiitake mushroom meatball soup may come in a small bowl, but it’s packed with flavor. The wontons are delicate and cute, bursting with mildly salty yet sweet meaty flavors and melt-in-your-mouth smooth wrappers—definitely above-average wontons. The broth is seasoned with a light soy sauce base, celery, and some crispy fried shallots, resulting in a refreshing yet savory taste~


The shiitake mushroom meatballs have a fragrant hint of mushrooms and crispy fried shallots. The texture is actually closer to fish balls. Regular meatballs tend to be firmer, but theirs are looser, softer, and more tender. It’s pretty good—though not particularly unique.

After finishing at Da Mian Zhang, I spotted this stall at the street corner. It seems to be a grilled skewer spot run by an elderly couple, and it looks super nostalgic.

It looks just like crispy pan-fried radish cake!! If I weren’t so full, I would’ve totally ordered a serving to try~


【Da Mian Zhang】

Address:No. 139-1, Xinmin Road, Yilan City, Yilan County
Business Hours:14:30～01:00
Going away is to return to the original place with deeper understanding.

MIKA's Foodie Travel Journal