Worth the Wait in Line: Qiwei Dumpling House’s Side Dishes Win Over Customers

Text & Photos /Mi’er

My friend Zhaojun highly recommended “Qiwei Dumpling House,” especially suggesting a few of her favorite dishes: “The shredded pork ear here is really delicious—definitely try it!” she said as she led us into the packed shop.

At 70 RMB for ten dumplings, they’re not exactly cheap, but the filling is hearty, with a great balance of cabbage, leek, and pork. Even I, who usually dislikes leek dumplings, found them tasty. The dough isn’t tough either—it has a nice bounce to it. No wonder each one costs 7 RMB..

I rarely wait in line for a meal, but this place was specially recommended by Zhaojun, who insisted the food was really good. So I patiently waited, watching as the small shop was mostly filled with parents dining with their kids. The side dishes in the display case were almost all gone. Zhaojun hurried to order everything we wanted from the owner to make sure we wouldn’t be left without when our food arrived.

I heard the owner is a Korean-Chinese, and everything is prepared cleanly and delicately. When our ordered beef bone soup noodles, dumplings, thick noodle stew, shredded pork ear, cold bean sprouts, and the owner’s complimentary shredded chicken lettuce all arrived, they indeed had a distinct Korean side dish vibe. I’m not a huge fan of shredded pork ear, but I couldn’t resist the “pickled mustard greens with tofu skin.” Usually not a fan of pickled mustard greens, I was surprisingly won over by this dish with raw tofu skin—salty, fragrant, and with a hint of creamy aftertaste that lingered in the throat. As a first-time visitor, I was already planning my next order.

Just a few days later, because Sister Hu kept raving about the stir-fried noodle dish here, the three of us went back again. We tried the spicy stir-fried noodles, though unfortunately, I forgot to bring my camera that day. But after two visits, my takeaway is: even with three people, just order one bowl of noodles, plus dumplings and side dishes—that’s enough. Don’t make the same mistake we did and order a whole bowl per person.

Cold Bean Sprouts, 40 RMB. The bean sprouts are crisp and flavorful, with the added umami of dried anchovies, making them very refreshing. The owner also served us complimentary shredded chicken salad, which has a sweet-and-sour flavor and is very refreshing.

Pickled Mustard Greens with Tofu Skin, 40 RMB. The raw tofu skin has a creamy taste, which is quite unique. The saltiness of the pickled mustard greens pairs perfectly with the tofu skin—it’s really delicious. Shredded Pork Ear, 80 RMB. The thinly sliced ear is mixed with pig skin and well braised, quite flavorful, though still on the sweeter side, which is why I didn’t enjoy it as much.

Beef Bone Noodles, 130 RMB. This dish has a very Korean flavor—made with a rich white broth from simmered beef bones. However, the preparation here is lighter and includes clams for extra umami, so the bowl is full of clams and plenty of ingredients. I think this bowl offers the best value.

Korean-Style Fried Noodles, 100 RMB. These have a strong Korean flavor—sweet-style fried noodles. The noodles are chewy, but honestly, I’m not a big fan of the sweet style of fried sauce.

Thick Noodle Stew, 120 RMB. A big bowl with generous, solid ingredients. Everything is finely prepared, and it’s smooth, hot, and flavorful. The wide noodles soak up the broth and are especially satisfying, though the taste is relatively mild—ideal for those who prefer lighter flavors.

The menu is simple, but honestly, for a small noodle shop, the prices aren’t cheap. However, you can tell the ingredients are quality, so it’s worth it.

Author: Mi’er

After graduating with a degree in Chinese Literature from National Chengchi University, she began working as a food journalist. Coupled with being raised under the guidance of her chef mother, she has a keen sense for food—she loves eating and cooking alike. Due to work, she often travels around to explore food, shares her experiences on her blog, and frequently organizes group food outings. She is the author of the book “Group Food Tasting Reports.”

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[Qiwei Dumpling House]
Address: No. 178, Jinghua Street, Wenshan District, Taipei City
Phone: 02-2933-6561
Business Hours: 11:30–14:00; 17:30–21:00 (Closed Tuesdays)