Bone broth simmered with three types of meat bones — Wudingfeng Vietnamese Noodles offers a taste of Vietnam back home

Reported by Chen Ziying / Taipei

Taipei City“Lane 30, Yongji Road”is a popular hub for food and street snacks in northern Taiwan. Among the eateries here is a Vietnamese restaurant that draws crowds during mealtimes. Even if there’s no immediate seating, patrons patiently wait because the flavors are authentic, the portions generous, and the broth is simmered with three types of meat bones. Some even drive an hour just to try it.


▲ This Vietnamese eatery on Yongji Street is well-known far and wide, always packed during meal hours. (Photo / Reporter Chen Ziying)

“Wudingfeng Vietnamese Noodles” originally started as a small eatery. The Vietnamese owner smiles and says, “When I first moved to Taiwan, I missed the flavors of home so much that I wanted to open a truly authentic Vietnamese restaurant to share with Taiwanese people, and also to ease my homesickness.” Authenticity, affordability, and generous portions are the shop’s biggest strengths. The couple, who are strict about ingredient selection, believe everything must meet a high standard — or they won’t use it. Spices like culantro, perilla, and lemongrass are mostly imported directly from Vietnam. The owner explains that Vietnamese spices simply have a richer aroma than those found in Taiwan.

The shop’ssignature dish is undoubtedly this bowl of “Vietnamese Fresh Beef Pho.”Not only does it come with more beef slices than usual, but the sweet flavor of the broth also sets it apart. Customer Ms. Qiu says, “Every time I come here, I finish the whole bowl of broth. Unlike other places where the soup is greasy, you can also add lemon to adjust the sourness to your taste. I actually came all the way from Taoyuan today!” The secret lies in the broth, which the owner simmers using beef, chicken, and pork bones. It’s cooked twice daily for several hours each time, all to create a unique flavor you won’t find elsewhere.

 
▲ Fresh beef pho is poured with hot broth over raw beef slices to lock in their sweetness. (Photo / Reporter Huang Kexiang)

  ▲ This plate of Vietnamese cold mixed seafood is generous and hearty, with fresh, plump shrimp and a zesty yet refreshing taste. Most of the spices used are imported from Vietnam, giving off a strong aroma. (Photo / Reporter Huang Kexiang)

Another popular item is the “Vietnamese Curry Pork Noodles.” The curry has a rich flavor without being overly heavy or salty. The noodles are Vietnam’s “rice vermicelli,” which absorb the curry broth beautifully. The thick slices of pork, seasoned with curry, are generously portioned, making each bowl incredibly satisfying.


▲ The curry in the pork noodles is rich and not too salty, and the rice vermicelli soaks up all the broth. (Photo / Reporter Huang Kexiang)
 

▲ The dessert “Momo Zaza” is also generous and hearty. (Photo / Reporter Huang Kexiang)
% A certain? The dessert offered here is delicate and loved by female customers. (Photo / Reporter Huang Kexiang)



[Wudingfeng Vietnamese Noodles]
Address: No. 2, Lane 167, Lane 30, Yongji Road, Xinyi District, Taipei City
Phone: (02) 022764-9696
Prices: Fresh beef pho NT$130, curry pork pho NT$120, cold mixed seafood NT$120, iced lychee pomelo water NT$60, Momo Zaza NT$70.