The aroma of classic garlic meat sauce fills the air—Taichung’s Yongxing Street’s popular old-style noodle shop gets busier the later it gets

Text and photos byOrange Dog Loves Candy

I think the happiest moment of the day is being able to enjoy a steaming bowl of noodles after work, watching the steam rise from the bowl, then slurping down the big bowl of noodles and following it with a bowl of hot soup. It’s a simple sense of satisfaction, but if it can also be affordable, then the end of such a day becomes even better.

Take for example the hidden gem noodle stall tucked away in an alley on Yongxing Street in Taichung—it’s my favorite noodle shop. There’s no need for fancy decor or luxurious ingredients; just small square tables, a plate of tofu and pickled vegetables, plus a bowl of noodles—this kind of street food is full of Taiwan’s local charm.

But besides this well-known spot, there are two other stalls that are also incredibly busy. One is Yongsheng Chicken Rice located under the arcade in front of an electrical appliances shop, and the other is [Zhan Ji Dan Dan Noodles] right next to Yongsheng. Almost every night during operating hours, there’s a long line of people waiting.

Compared to the Xiqu area where I live, near the Shangxiang Market, it’s clear that dining prices on Yongxing Street, which is closer to the school district, are much more affordable. A meal often only costs around 50 NT dollars and includes both rice and noodles, so occasionally I’ll make the trip all the way here.

The food options along Yongxing Street, from one end to the other, are very diverse—truly much more varied than at Shangxiang Market. But as mentioned earlier, these three noodle shops are the busiest. After all, prices and rents keep rising year after year, so many small stalls or shops come and go...

But shops like these three, along with Lai Guo Shao Yi Mian, have stood firm. However, Zhan Ji and the neighboring Yongsheng are quite special—Yongsheng closes for two months every summer XDDD


These days, it’s hard for businesses to turn a profit, so most owners would rather not take breaks and earn money for as many days as possible. Yet, on Yongxing Street, there’s actually a shop that closes for a break because they’re too tired from working and business is slower due to students being on holiday XD

And currently, Zhan Ji Dan Dan Noodles is only open from Monday to Friday; it’s also closed on weekends. But the staff mentioned that after the New Year, it will be open from Monday to Saturday, which explains why I couldn’t get any on four previous visits.


As soon as it opens at 4:30 p.m., the place is packed with people both inside and out, and business gets even better the later it gets. The shop only has four people running it, so if you come late, you’ll likely have to wait standing for a seat. At this corner of Yongxing Street, there’s also an old stall that sells rice noodle jelly ice in the summer, which also has daily afternoon lines. This corner is truly a golden money-making spot in an otherwise sluggish economy!!


Continuing the style of Yongxing Street, Zhan Ji Dan Dan Noodles is also very reasonably priced and affordable. However, there’s only one type of rice dish—braised pork rice—the rest are all noodles and soups.


The side dishes are also very cheap and good value. Basically, two people who budget carefully can eat their fill for around fifty NT per person. Not only is it cheap, but the portions are definitely not skimpy either!! This is the consistent standard of these three noodle shops: being full is the top priority.


[Signature Dan Dan Noodles / Small / Yellow Noodles / 30 NT], a very ordinary yet simple bowl of dry noodles, topped with a spoonful of minced pork, celery pearls, and cilantro. I prefer dry noodles over soup noodles—probably because I like a purer, simpler, and richer flavor. Thankfully it’s not wheat vermicelli; the yellow noodles are slightly thinner, but you can feel their lively chewiness and elasticity when you lift them.


But you have to mix the meat sauce into the noodles—the cilantro combined with the classic savory aroma of the sauce gives a slightly heavy yet flavorful taste, and amid the salty richness, a hint of garlic flavor emerges to enhance the taste, somewhat reminiscent of the meat sauce in Tainan’s Dan Zai Noodles. The portion of minced pork is just right, so it doesn’t get too rich when mixed in, but with every bite of noodles, the saltiness gently teases the taste buds and whets the appetite. Though simple, it’s the kind of flavor you’ll remember after finishing the bowl.

[Braised Pork Rice / Small / 25 NT], I initially ordered this just to fill my stomach—after all, rice generally gives a stronger feeling of fullness. But it turned out to be unexpectedly delicious, and later I realized that almost every table in the shop orders a bowl. The rice is cooked very well, and this bowl of braised pork rice is already off to a high start.

The minced pork on top is half lean and half fat, somewhat similar to our Tainan-style braised pork rice, though the pork belly pieces are smaller. But it has a sweet taste, and the sauce is also on the heavier side, with the addition of spicy pickled radish, which adds a crisp and spicy kick. The layers of flavor in this bowl of braised pork rice really shine—truly a pleasant surprise.


[Wonton Soup / 30 NT], it’s similar in flavor to the small wontons from the noodle shop at the corner of Huamei Street in Shangxiang Market. There are about 7 to 8 wontons in a bowl, and they’re delicious—the pork filling is springy with a mild sweetness.


The broth is noticeably more flavorful than the ones at Shangxiang Market, and it also contains plenty of vegetables. One bowl is enough for two people to share.

[Mixed Soup / 25 NT], in addition to fried tofu and pickled radish, it also includes milkfish balls. For 25 NT, it’s also economical, though the wonton soup comes in a larger bowl XD


[Sesame Sauce Noodles / 35 NT], I don’t know why, but sesame sauce noodles often become my first choice when I walk into a noodle shop. Maybe it’s the thick, unsmoothable consistency and rich, mellow fragrance that are so captivating.


It uses white noodles, not overcooked, and the sesame sauce is very fragrant and rich. This is also highly recommended to try, although the nearby hidden gem noodle stall’s version is also quite tasty XD

[Blanched Vegetables / Baby Bok Choy / 25 NT], I’ve always loved the crunchiness of baby bok choy (and no, that’s not a pun XD). Just add some minced pork and it’s delicious. But every time I eat this dish, it reminds me of a colleague at work—she moved from mainland China to Taiwan when she was little, and every time she ordered baby bok choy, she’d complain about the dish XD


Today I forgot to order the pickled dishes—that’s a small regret—but even so, I’m pretty full. Nowadays, noodle stalls and shops are everywhere on the streets. One person can get a bowl of noodles, plus one or two side dishes, and a few friends together can easily fill up a whole table.

Compared to restaurants where a meal might cost a thousand NT, small noodle stalls seem much more simple and down-to-earth. But I think only near school districts can you find such affordable choices. By the way, the flavor of this Zhan Ji shop is probably a bit stronger compared to Yongsheng and the hidden gem noodle stall. Here’s a simple sharing of my thoughts—Up!!^^


[Zhan Ji Dan Dan Noodles – Yongxing Street]

Address:No. 124, Yongxing Street, North District, Taichung City
Contact number:None
Business hours:04:30 PM～00:30 AM
Consumption reminder:Currently closed on weekends, after the New Year will be closed on Sundays
=========================================
Orange Dog Loves Sugar Blog 　Orange Dog Loves Sugar Facebook Fan Page