Authentic Yunnan flavors in Myanmar Street & unique "steam-pot" chicken broth that locks in freshness and sweetness

▲ This bowl of Yunnan steam-pot chicken soup hides a secret inside the pot. (Photo / Reporter Huang Kexiang)

Reported by Chen Ziying / Taipei

In the Greater Taipei area, if you’re craving authentic Southeast Asian cuisine, Huaxin Street is bound to come to mind; in the 1970s, Burmese-Chinese immigrants began gathering here to sell traditional snacks from Thailand and Myanmar, hence its nickname “Myanmar Street.” Among the many eateries, there’s a Yunnan snack shop whose authentic flavors have made many regulars hooked and visiting daily.

The owner of “Xiangyuan Yun-Tai-Myanmar Snacks,” Zhou Fengying, is a Burmese-Chinese immigrant. Her father is from Hunan and her mother from Yunnan, so she’s well-versed in cooking Burmese, Yunnan, and Thai dishes. After immigrating to Taiwan, she opened her own shop, focusing on traditional Yunnan cuisine. Zhou Fengying said, “I’ve always been passionate about food. Because I missed the flavors of home, I thought I’d share them with customers in Taiwan.” Local resident Mom Chen said, “Whenever my family and I want to eat out, this is our first choice. Every dish is delicious, and the kitchen is very clean.” Thanks to its authentic and traditional taste, the place is packed during meal times. Business has been so good lately that they had to expand next door just to accommodate the influx of customers.

Mom Chen especially recommends the “Yunnan steam-pot chicken soup” when visiting Xiangyuan. It’s made by directly placing raw free-range chicken along with ingredients like amomum tsao-ko, spices, star anise, Sichuan peppercorns, and goji berries into a “steam-pot” and simmering it for an hour. This steam-pot looks different from ordinary pots—it has a hole in the middle. Zhou Fengying explained that this design helps fully lock in the chicken’s umami flavor. The Yunnan steam-pot chicken soup boasts a rich mushroom aroma that perfectly blends with the star anise, while the chicken absorbs the savory broth and turns incredibly tender. Even the bones become soft and flavorful. It’s especially delicious when served piping hot.

 
▲ The steam-pot chicken soup not only delivers the aroma of star anise and mushrooms but also the sweet taste of chicken, making you want to have more; the “Thai curry shrimp” is spicy yet smooth, bursting with shrimp flavor. (Photo / Reporter Huang Kexiang)

Besides Yunnan-style dishes, the shop also serves Thai cuisine. This “Thai curry shrimp” not only meets the standard level of spiciness in Thai food but also has a smooth texture and is full of “shrimp flavor,” making it a favorite among foodies. There’s also the must-order “Thai spicy chicken” when eating Thai food. It comes with a bed of shredded cabbage, a golden and crispy skin, and paired with the boss’s secret sauce, the juicy chicken tastes unlike any other.


▲ The spicy chicken has a golden, crispy exterior and is served with the boss’s special sauce, giving it a unique flavor. (Photo / Reporter Huang Kexiang)
 
▲ The large thin-sliced meat uses cheek meat, and the sauce has a slightly sour and spicy taste that pairs perfectly with rice. (Photo / Reporter Huang Kexiang)

[Shop Information]
Xiangyuan Cuisine – Yun-Tai-Myanmar Snacks
Address: No. 83, Huaxin Street, Zhonghe District, New Taipei City
Phone: (02) 2949-2946
Business Hours: 11:00–14:30, 17:30–20:30, closed every other Monday
Price Range: NT$90 to NT$200

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