Like having squid soup in a café – made with bonito broth, it has a homey flavor

Is this a squid soup snack shop? Yes, the dining area features cozy café-style sofas and rows of newspapers and magazines. (Photo by Lu Jinzu)

“Taipei Squid and Cuttlefish Soup” may look like an ordinary snack shop, but it’s a beloved spot for delicious squid soup among foodies. (Photo by Lu Jinzu)

Located at the intersection of Section 3, Wenhua Road, and Xitun Road, West District, Taichung City, “Taipei Squid and Cuttlefish Soup” attracts diners with its signature soup dishes. Besides cuttlefish soup and crab meat soup, their signature squid soup is made with a flavorful broth simmered entirely from bonito flakes. Owner Cai says, “It just has that home-cooked taste.” The squid is delivered fresh from the market. Surprisingly, despite its ordinary snack-shop exterior, customers are amazed when they step into the dining area to find large white sofas and a collection of newspapers and magazines. Dining on squid soup while listening to classical music gives this Taiwanese street food a refined, literary twist.

“Open 24 hours a day!” joked Owner Cai. That means no daily hassle of closing up and cleaning, and night owls looking for a late-night bite know there’s always a place to go. A bowl of squid soup warms both the stomach and the heart. Students from nearby Feng Chia University, who often pull all-nighters studying, frequently bring friends here to refuel. To satisfy the hearty appetites of these university students, Cai serves the squid soup not in ordinary plastic bowls but in oversized ramen bowls – specifically, handcrafted ceramic ones – instantly elevating it to a luxurious version of squid soup.

Owner Cai explained that over the past decade of business, the key to good squid soup is tender, sweet, and springy squid, and it must be finished with a sprinkle of basil to fully bring out the soup’s “aroma.” For those who like it spicy, there's also an extra-hot chili sauce to take the flavor up a notch.

To satisfy not just the appetite but also the dining ambiance, the café-like environment is another highlight. Pendant lights hang overhead to enhance the mood, while a glass display case showcases the owner’s collection of miniature pianos. Adorable teddy bears keep diners company, and rows of books and magazines fill the space with a literary vibe. Dining on squid soup to the backdrop of romantic music has led customers to praise, “Eating squid soup here feels like dining at a hotel!”

“Taipei Squid and Cuttlefish Soup” Business Information:

Address: No. 96, Section 3, Wenhua Road, West District, Taichung City

(Intersection of Wenhua Road and Xitun Road)

Phone: 04-23174983

Business Hours: Open 24 hours daily

Prices: Squid and fish soup 60 TWD, squid and fish soup with noodles or rice noodles 70 TWD