Delicious noodles without an alkaline taste—Grandma Wu’s Yuli noodles with rich pork ribs are absolutely “soul-stirring”!

▲ A must-try Yuli noodle dish in Hualien—Grandma Wu adds rich, flavorful pork ribs, making it super “soul-stirring.”

Reported and photographed by Chen Ziying, Hualien

If Tainan’s iconic street food is danzai noodles, then when you visit Hualien, you must try a bowl of “Yuli noodles.” In Hualien, there’s a hidden gem of a traditional eatery that serves “Yuli pork rib noodles” made with Yuli-style noodles. From the texture of the noodles to the flavor of the broth, even a photographer who’s visited Hualien many times said, “It’s absolutely amazing—it’s the best I’ve ever had!”

Shy Grandma Wu scooped up a handful of Yuli noodles and told reporters that good noodles shouldn’t have an “alkaline” taste. Most noodle shops in Hualien use the locally produced Yuli noodles, which are characterized by being thinner than regular noodles. Because of this, they easily absorb the essence of the broth, giving them a unique mouthfeel compared to ordinary noodles.

 
▲ Left: Good noodles without an “alkaline taste”—Hualien’s Yuli noodles are thinner than usual and have a distinct texture. Right: Pork rib noodles soaked in rich broth look appetizing and delicious.

This pork rib noodle dish, recommended by local guides, is made by Grandma Wu, who says that aside from simmering the broth with big bones, she also spends several hours in the morning stewing the pork ribs to extract their aroma. The difference between Grandma Wu’s pork rib noodles and regular Yuli noodles lies here. First, the cooked and drained Yuli noodles are added to the broth, and finally, the highlight—the “pork ribs”—are placed on top, with the rib sauce melding into the noodle broth.

Take a bite of the delicate Yuli noodles, whose surface is soaked with rich broth. Though they’re thin noodles, they have a pleasantly chewy texture. The pork ribs, needless to say, are incredibly tasty. You can tell they’ve been stewed to perfection—the meat simply melts in your mouth, and it’s not overly salty despite the long cooking time. Take a bite of the meat, then scoop up some Yuli noodles with broth—“Grandma Wu’s Pork Rib Noodles” can truly be described as soul-stirring.


▲ Don’t forget Grandma Wu’s Four Treasures Soup when you visit. Since the broth is simmered with big bones, it has a rich sweetness in addition to the flavor of Job’s tears.
[Shop Information]
Grandma Wu’s Traditional Snacks
Address: No. 152, Section 1, Zhongshan Road, Yuli Town, Hualien County
Phone: 0928324265
Delivery Hotline: (03) 888-2745
Business Hours: 6:00 AM to 1:30 PM (Grandpa Wu Jinxing mentioned that due to his age, extended business hours would be too exhausting, so he hopes visitors to Yuli don’t miss out!)
Pricing: Pork rib noodles 50 NTD, Four Treasures Soup 30 NTD