Iconic Taiwanese Dishes: Beloved Beef Noodle Shops That Have Been Aromatic for Over 30 Years

▲ There's always a long queue outside Lin Dongfang Beef Noodles. (Photo/IG@vip_0718Provided. Please do not reproduce without permission to avoid copyright infringement.)

Reporter Zhou YRong...

When it comes to "beef noodles," you absolutely can't miss these long-established shops that have been serving their aromatic dishes for over 30 years.Beef noodles are a representative Taiwanese dish—even foreigners visiting Taiwan will surely want to dig into a bowl. Made with a broth simmered from beef and paired with chewy, hearty noodles, the tender beef melts in your mouth, making for an incredibly satisfying meal.ETtoday News Cloud has rounded up five super-popular beef noodle shops that have been in business for over 30 years, so you can discover your most unforgettable bowl of "beef noodles" at these classic spots.

Jin Chunfa Beef Noodles
▪️ With many branches in Taipei, this shop was established in 1897 and has been a bestseller for over 100 years. Jin Chunfa’s most famous signature dish is the “Original Beef Noodles.” Though the white broth looks light and colorless, one sip reveals an incredibly rich and delicious flavor that’s truly unforgettable. In addition to beef noodles, the shop also offers stir-fried curry beef, satay beef, and other all-beef dishes—even Terry Gou is a regular here.

▲ Jin Chunfa Beef Noodles has been a hit for over a century—the original beef noodles are amazingly flavorful. (Photo/IG@leon851205Provided. Please do not reproduce without permission to avoid copyright infringement.)

Lin Dongfang Beef Noodles
▪️ Almost everyone in Taipei knows about this place—it’s common to see long queues outside the shop. Right at the entrance, you’ll spot two big pots of beef and broth, and the aroma wafting through the shop is irresistible. The chefs never stop working. At Lin Dongfang, you must try the “Half-Tendon Half-Meat Beef Noodles.” The beef shank is super tender and melts in your mouth, while the beef tendon is soft and springy—you won’t be able to stop eating. The shop also has its own secret spicy beef tallow; adding a spoonful to your soup lets it slowly melt in, giving the broth a whole new flavor. Spicy food lovers definitely shouldn’t miss it.

▲ The beef at Lin Dongfang Beef Noodles is incredibly tender and melts in your mouth. (Photo/IG@pai110Provided. Please do not reproduce without permission to avoid copyright infringement.)

Yongkang Beef Noodles
▪️ Also located in Taipei, “Yongkang Beef Noodles,” established in 1963 (Republic of China Year 52), is another wildly popular spot where you’ll often find a queue. Yongkang has a unique way of eating: mix the red-braised beef into the clear-broth soup. This method is known only to longtime customers and balances the flavor—keeping it from being too heavy while letting you enjoy the original taste of the clear broth. The beef at Yongkang Beef Noodles is also excellent—tender, flavorful, and incredibly melt-in-your-mouth. Everyone who’s tried it highly recommends it.

▲ Yongkang Beef Noodles’ unique method loved by regulars is definitely worth trying. (Photo/IG@big38Provided. Please do not reproduce without permission to avoid copyright infringement.)

▲ Yongkang Beef Noodles’ clear-broth beef noodles have a light flavor, perfect for those who don’t like strong tastes. (Photo/IG@joinalldotsProvided. Please do not reproduce without permission to avoid copyright infringement.)

Hongyuan Jin Haokou Beef Noodles
▪️ Not just in the north—there are also amazing beef noodle shops in the south. Located in Tainan, “Hongyuan Jin Haokou Beef Noodles,” established in 1982, specializes in both clear-broth and red-braised beef noodles, and also serves shredded pork with pickled mustard green noodles. You can choose from various noodle types including plain noodles, knife-cut noodles, ramen, glass noodles, and rice noodles. The clear-broth beef noodles use a broth simmered with onions, pork bones, fruits, and vegetables—light, refreshing, and slightly sweet, ideal for those who prefer less intense flavors. The red-braised beef noodles use a Chinese herbal broth that’s richer and more robust, with beef that’s chewy and full of texture. If you’re visiting Tainan, add this to your must-eat list.

▲ Hongyuan Jin Haokou Beef Noodles offers a variety of noodle choices and a rich herbal red-braised broth. (Photo/IG@bc.824Provided. Please do not reproduce without permission to avoid copyright infringement.)

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▪️ When in Kaohsiung, you can’t miss this place—prices are super reasonable, great value for money, and you won’t have to worry about parking as there’s a huge free lot right next to the shop. Once your bowl arrives, everyone is surprised at how much is in even the small portion—many people choose to share a bowl between two. You can also upgrade your noodles to add gnocchi for an extra charge. The red-braised beef noodles have an ultra-rich broth, topped with a generous sprinkle of chopped scallions, and feature large chunks of tender, juicy beef. The clear-braised beef tendon noodles have a mellow broth with perfectly cooked tendons that are neither too soft nor too tough. If you’re in Kaohsiung, don’t pass up this high-value bowl of beef noodles.

▲ The bowl sizes may look small, but they're surprisingly filling—and great value. Many choose to share. (Photo/IG@yujin505Provided. Please do not reproduce without permission to avoid copyright infringement.)

After reading this, don’t you want to dig into a steaming bowl of beef noodles right away? Whether you’re in the north or the south, you can find authentic beef noodles, and these five time-honored beef noodle shops will continue to serve up their delicious aroma. Be sure to try this iconic Taiwanese dish — “beef noodles” — when you have the chance!

Jinchunfa Beef Noodles (Main Branch)
Address: No. 20, Tianshui Rd., Datong District, Taipei City
Phone: 02-2558-9835
Hours: Tues–Sun 11:15–21:00 / Closed on Mon

Lin Dongfang Beef Noodles
Address: No. 274, Section 2, Bade Rd., Zhongshan District, Taipei City
Phone: 02-2752-2556
Hours: Mon–Sat 11:00–04:00 / Closed on Sun

Yongkang Beef Noodles
Address: No. 17, Lane 31, Section 2, Jinshan S. Rd., Da’an District, Taipei City
Phone: 02-2351-1051
Hours: Mon–Sun 11:00–15:30 / 16:30–21:00

Hongyuan Jin Haokan Beef Noodles - Originally Shang Haokan
Address: No. 595-4, Park Rd., North District, Tainan City
Phone: 06-281-6453
Hours: Mon–Sun 10:00–02:30

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Address: No. 85, Shengli Rd., Zuoying District, Kaohsiung City
Phone: 07-5887264
Hours: Mon–Sun 11:00–20:30