Chen Xin’s Stir-Fried Noodles Makes a Comeback—Delicious Big Wontons Appear in Banqiao

Reported by Cai Mengxiu / Taipei

“When I was down and out, I rode my motorcycle around Taiwan, falling and getting up again along the way...” A story paired with a table of delicious food tells a tale of a “delicious life.” Located on Zhongshan Road in Banqiao, “Chen Xin’s Stir-Fried Noodles” is famed for its wontons. The thin-skinned, generously filled treats ensure the place is always bustling. These wontons were once a hit in multiple department stores, but after life’s many twists and turns, the owner restarted his journey. Every dish carries a story.

▲The shop retains equipment from its former department store location—even the entrance features the kind of food models you’d only see in malls. And the actual dishes served are almost as generous and well-presented as the images show. (Photo / Cai Mengxiu)

“Chen Xin’s Stir-Fried Noodles” is situated on Zhongshan Road in Banqiao. Its sign may not stand out, but the stream of diners might jog passersby’s memories. The display bowls outside are particularly eye-catching, and ordering a few popular dishes reveals flavors just as delightful as they look.

“Chen Xin’s Stir-Fried Noodles” is best known for its wontons. The menu offers a variety of combinations, and customers can choose between soup wontons or dry stir-fried versions. With the recent heat dampening appetites, don’t miss the signature Spicy and Sour Big Wontons—the large dumplings each offer a different filling, from shrimp to pork and veggies, combining flavors for both satisfaction and satiety.

▲A must-order at the shop, the Spicy and Sour Wontons are appetizing, with each dumpling generously stuffed. The shrimp-filled ones contain two whole shrimp per wrapper—real, hearty ingredients. (Photo / Cai Mengxiu)

▲This is the boss’s specially made dried small fish sauce, freely available for diners and very generous—a great choice for those who love spicy food. (Photo / Cai Mengxiu)

Peeling open the shrimp wontons, each one contains two full shrimp. The meat fillings are also hearty. Paired with the shop’s special sauces, pickled vegetables, and peanut powder, the unique flavor makes this a customer favorite.

But Chen Xin’s isn’t only about the main wonton dishes—the stinky tofu is another popular highlight. With a crispy outside and soft inside, each bite releases the juice marinated inside the tofu. However, observant customers may notice that there’s no “stinky” smell during the frying process.

▲The golden, crispy stinky tofu is another fan favorite, and every aspect of the tofu is carefully considered. (Photo / Cai Mengxiu)

Owner Chen Xinyi explains that the tofu is marinated with various vegetables, which is why no odor is released during frying. The side dish pickled vegetables are also crafted with care. Initially, he tried using warm water to remove the cabbage’s raw smell but failed—“trial and error and waste” were part of the process—until he finally succeeded by using plum powder from Nantou’s Xinyi Township.

▲The secret to the tasty pickled vegetables lies in this jar of plum powder from Nantou’s Xinyi Township. (Photo / Cai Mengxiu)

As for the dipping sauce for the stinky tofu, it’s made from a mix of red yeast rice, kumquats, and other ingredients. It has a savory and slightly sweet aftertaste that pairs perfectly with the tofu—unlike the soybean paste commonly used in commercial stinky tofu.

All these dishes are the result of the owner’s trial and error, step by step—just like his life journey. “Chen Xin’s Stir-Fried Noodles” was originally called “Chen Xinyi’s Stir-Fried Noodles,” and at its peak had multiple branches in department stores and food courts. But the 2008 financial crisis wiped out the owner’s other investments and cost him everything.

Chen Xinyi recalls hitting rock bottom—falling from success to debt—and experiencing the fickleness of relationships. At one point, he even considered taking his own life. A letter from his then junior high school daughter with the words “help each other in hardship” snapped him out of it. With family support, he eventually paid off all debts. Now, business at “Chen Xin’s Stir-Fried Noodles” is stable, and he plans to semi-retire in the future.

▲His then junior high daughter wrote the encouraging words “help each other in hardship,” which helped Chen Xinyi get back on his feet. He hasn’t forgotten their support. Left to right: Chen Xinyi’s wife Qiu Sujuan, eldest daughter Chen Zini, and Chen Xinyi himself. The shop is now mainly run by his wife, with their second daughter helping during summer break. Their eldest daughter is a vocal music prodigy and ranked first in the master’s program in vocal music at Taipei University of Education this year (2013). (Photo / Cai Mengxiu)

Though the shop is smaller than before and many of the tools are reused from its department store days, the taste remains the same—gradually building a solid reputation in Banqiao. The owner changed the name from “Chen Xinyi” to “Chen Xin,” symbolizing “renewal,” “sincerity,” and “integrity.”

Chen Xinyi loves traveling and visited European and American countries like Switzerland during his career peak. But the easygoing owner says that now, with less income, domestic travel is also enjoyable. In the future, he hopes to retire in Yilan. Next time you visit for a taste, chat with the owner about his “delicious life” and learn from his positive outlook.

【Chen Xin’s Stir-Fried Noodles】

Address: No. 161, Section 2, Zhongshan Road, Banqiao District, New Taipei City

Phone: (02) 2952-3729

Business Hours: 11:00–23:00

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