Praised by netizens as the best pasta in Taichung — jumbo scallops that are simply amazing!

▲ The pasta at Chi. De. Wei goes all out, featuring huge scallops. (Photo/@IG @provided, no reproduction allowed)liu_baoprovided, no photography allowed)

Reporter Li Zi Yi / Comprehensive report

Chi. De. Wei is located on Jingming Second Street in West Central District, Taichung. It’s a “family-style private kitchen” tucked away in a residential home. The tiny shop has only five tables and about ten seats, yet the queue often forms well before opening hours, with everyone eager to try what’s hailed as “the best pasta in Taichung”!

The shop mainly offers seasonal ingredient-based private kitchen cuisine and doesn’t have a fixed menu. Currently, pasta is the focus. It operates five days a week, only open for five hours each day, so if you want to dine at “Chi. De. Wei,” waiting in line seems unavoidable.

▲ The thin crust pizza that comes with your order. (Photo/@IG @provided, no reproduction allowed)hsu_chuanchuanprovided, no photography allowed)

The seafood-flavored pasta at Chi. De. Wei is very popular, featuring options with clams, shrimp, fish, and jumbo scallops. Many customers love the “Hakata mentaiko butter seared medium-rare scallop pasta,” where a whole plate of pasta is topped with two huge scallops and mentaiko. One bite into the scallop reveals an incredibly tender texture, while the pasta soaks up the rich sauce flavor, making for an overall very satisfying meal.

▲ The selection of ingredients provided is abundant, almost like what your mom would cook, “without holding back.” (Photo/@IG @provided, no reproduction allowed)hsu_chuanchuanprovided, no photography allowed)

Seafood lovers looking to enjoy a variety of seafood in one dish can go for the “Bountiful Seafood Pasta,” which comes loaded with clams, some shrimp, big scallops, and pan-seared fish — so much topping that it almost hides the pasta. The price of the pasta ranges from about NT$300 to NT$500. Because of the generous portions, reminiscent of home-cooked meals where nothing is spared, many locals in Taichung call it “the best pasta in Taichung”!

Aside from the main pasta dishes that wow with their rich, generous seafood, how about just meat? For a refreshing appetizer, try the “Stir-fried Seasonal Vegetables,” which combines colorful assorted vegetables that are visually appealing and instantly whet the appetite. The veggies taste fresh and crisp, stir-fried in a light, non-greasy sauce that’s well-balanced, almost like enjoying a warm salad.

▲ The daily menu is written on the blackboard. (Photo/@IG @provided, no reproduction allowed)hsu_chuanchuanprovided, no photography allowed)

The daily menu is written on the blackboard on the wall. The fridge also features desserts that change with the seasons — for example, during the strawberry season not long ago, they offered delicate pink strawberry tarts. “Chi. De. Wei” has limited seating, so you must wait in line on-site for a table; reservations are not accepted. Also, no group dining for more than four people is allowed. Each dish is made to order and requires some waiting time, so if you’re too hungry, consider having a small snack beforehand to avoid a long wait.

▲ The daily dessert offerings vary, and sometimes you might even get brownies. (Photo/@IG @provided, no reproduction allowed)hsu_chuanchuanprovided, no photography allowed)

Address: No. 46, Jingming Second Street, West Central District, Taichung City
Business hours: Starting in May, business hours are changed to 12:00–17:00, Monday to Friday (weekend days off are now Saturdays and Sundays; temporary closures will be announced on the Facebook page)
Minimum charge: NT$300
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*Reservations not accepted. Seating is only available when the full party is present. Groups larger than four are not accommodated.