For authentic pasta, head to YanShui — Atong Pasta has been serving classic Taiwanese flavors for 50 years unchanged.

▲ The well-known “Atong Pasta” in Tainan’s YanShui

Reported and photographed by Reporter Chen Shichang / Tainan

Aside from the internationally renowned Lantern Festival Beehive Fireworks in Tainan’s YanShui, pasta is another iconic Taiwanese street food. Many long-established shops with over 50 years of history are clustered around “DianXin City” at the intersection of KangLe Road and ZhongShan Road, as well as its vicinity. Locals say the earliest pasta in YanShui is said to have originated from Chen Family Pasta, which was learned from Fuzhou people during the Japanese colonial period. After decades of passing down the recipe, the most famous pasta shops in YanShui today are Atong, Asan, and Aji — all of which trace their roots back to the Chen family.

Visitor Mr. Fu noted that among them, “Atong Pasta,” located at the corner spot of “DianXin City,” is the most eye-catching and has the latest operating hours. He once went there after 9 p.m. just to have a bowl of pasta, and when he saw that Atong was still open, he was so moved he almost cried.

▲ Signature Pork Wonton Crispy Soup (top left).

Atong’s pasta uses its own specially made noodles, and the toppings are actually very simple. Whether dry or in soup, it’s just bean sprouts and lean pork mince. The minced pork is a bit salty, but when mixed well with the pasta, it’s just the right flavor. The Atong staff recommend pairing it with the local specialty Pork Wonton (known in Taiwanese as “bian shi”) Crispy Soup. The term “pork wonton” also originates from the Fuzhou dialect.

▲ Atong Pasta. The shop offers a wide variety of marinated side dishes (right photo).

The founder of “Atong Pasta,” Chen Yongtong, is now the second-generation owner. He has been producing and running the pasta business for over 50 years. In addition to creating the “Atong” brand, he also produces takeout packages. It is understood that a few years ago, after separating from his ex-wife, the stall was split in two. The “Atong” brand is now run by his ex-wife, but the taste remains completely unchanged.

% Jihehe Carbon ⑼┮ Xiang Bian minutes’ walk from Qiaonan Old Street, which lies along the old port of YanShui Harbor, is also the first street of YanShui and is worth a visit.

【Atong Pasta】

Address: No. 2, ZhongShan Road, YanShui District, Tainan City.
Phone: 06-6532261