Suspicious black spots on mysterious noodles? Keelung’s one-of-a-kind soba pasta and red bean shop
Reporter Zhu t?Man? photographed and reported
During meal times, the queue outside the shop always spills out onto the street, and you’ll have to wait a while to get a seat if you want to dine in. Even during off-peak hours, there are usually plenty of customers inside — after enjoying the Taiwanese-style pork intestines noodles, they come for a bowl of smooth snowflake ice to beat the heat, or even stop by for some fried tofu before heading to the movies. But this isn’t the Keelung Miaokou Night Market — it’s the hidden gem “Red Bean Shop,” tucked away in an alleyway.
“Red Bean Shopoffers a wide variety of snacks, but its most iconic and original dish since opening isthe signature item:pork intestines noodlesandsoba pasta.The owner, Zhuo Baotong, used to run a billiards hall, but switched careers to making snacks because he has a great passion for food. He said, “When I first opened the shop, I was a total novice at everything, so what I insisted on the most was using high-quality ingredients. Starting with good raw materials, I hoped that customers could eat healthily.”
%Why do these foods not cause any health issues? It's because they're good for your body, especially the nutritious Japanese buckwheat, and when you add vinegar, it enhances the flavor too.
Zhuo Baotong started with pork intestines noodles and soba pasta. The soba pasta is his pride and joy. “I can’t say for other places, but in Keelung, you definitely won’t find another shop selling soba pasta. We combine Japanese black buckwheat with Italian pasta, so you can see little black dots in our noodles — those are precious buckwheat, not mold, okay?” Making soba pasta is a complex process, and since it’s a unique recipe, Zhuo Baotong specially worked with a factory to ensure large production capacity. “I can’t disclose the exact quantity, but it’s definitely much more than what regular snack shops can manage.”
For the noodles, Zhuo Baotong chose red vermicelli and picked from over 20 suppliers before selecting handmade noodles from a master in Hsinchu. “The best thing about handmade noodles is that they’re uneven in thickness, but they’re very smooth to eat. Also, we use pork intestines from the head — they’re thick and really chewy. Add a bit of our spicy sauce, and it gets even more delicious.”
%The portion sizes here are surprisingly generous. A medium bowl is enough to fill up most women, and if you love bold flavors, be sure to add some vinegar and spicy sauce. Zhuo Baotong’s specially recommended spicy sauce is made from 16 kinds of Chinese herbs. He learned the recipe and method from a Sichuan master, and the unique red and green peppers used are all imported from Sichuan — they’re not found in the Taiwan market. No wonder it’s so “numbing.”
%There are more than six kinds of sauces here, especially the spicy one in the middle, which is the most popular. Many people even come just to buy the sauces.
%Over the years, the menu has expanded to include over 20 items. Especially the spicy sauce in the middle is the hottest item, and many customers come just to buy the sauces.
Having been in business for 16 years now, Zhuo Baotong initially offered a “buy one get one free” promotion on noodles for a whole month to build recognition. Eventually, locals came flocking in. Although he lost around NT$100,000, it successfully attracted customers. His commitment to high-quality ingredients also helped him avoid the recent starch scandal — none of his items were taken off the shelves. “Red Bean Shop” has also gradually expanded its menu to include bouncy rice balls, smooth snowflake ice, and richly garnished fried tofu soup. They promise absolutely no water dilution, ensuring customers can’t help but order a bowl as a dessert after meals.
%The space may not be spacious, but it’s clean, and you can finish your meal quickly. Plus, the portions are quite filling.
“Red Bean Shop” has two branches in Keelung — one on Xiding Road and another next to the Shin Kong Mitsukoshi Hsin-Yi Xin Le Showtime Cinema on Yier Road. Business is always booming. However, Zhuo Baotong hasn’t expanded massively with branches or franchises. “Snack shops don’t have high profit margins. Also, considering the location and costs proposed by potential partners, I don’t easily agree to franchising. Moreover, it’s ‘easy to imitate, easy to fail.’ We want to create our own uniqueness. It’s difficult, but that’s our goal.”
%Many people call to make reservations, but if they can’t make it in time, the staff are very patient.
Shop information
Business hours:11:30 AM – 11:00 PM
Phone:(02)2428-6018 (Xiding Road branch)
Address:No. 20, Xiding Road, Zhongshan District, Keelung City; No. 26, Yier Road, Zhongzheng District, Keelung City
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