A 40-Year-Old Classic in Taipei’s Alleyways: The Savory, Sweet, and Spicy “Strange-Flavor Chicken” That Pairs Perfectly with Rice

Text & Photos /The Gourmet Footsteps of San Gao Sir

Xiao Long Restaurant is a well-known old eatery—not quite a typical snack or noodle shop, but not entirely different either. Tucked away in a residential alley, it’s the kind of place you wouldn’t visit unless you had a reason. Even in the afternoon, stepping inside still gives off the vibe of a bustling gathering. The menu offers quite a variety, carrying the essence of military dependents’ village cuisine.

The Sichuan-style Strange-Flavor Chicken is said to be Xiao Long’s signature dish. We ordered a small portion, which came with a few slices of breast meat, wing tips, and head parts. The meat was decent—not overly dry—and was topped with green, juicy minced bits that resembled an oil-free, slightly sweet scallion oil sauce, with flavors of scallion, garlic, and ginger. The red oil at the bottom of the plate created a visual contrast of red and green, and overall, the dish combined salty, savory, sweet, and spicy flavors.

We also ordered a plate of braised items: pig ears, pork belly, beef tendon, chicken comb, duck gizzard, and dried tofu. Several of the braised items had a softer texture—for example, the duck gizzard was soft and tender without being tough—but the beef tendon and chicken comb were a bit lacking in elasticity for our taste. The dried tofu, on the other hand, had absorbed plenty of the braising sauce, though it still felt a bit bland, with not much richness or aroma, missing a bit of distinctiveness.

Although none of the dishes stood out as exceptionally amazing, we left with a good impression—there was a wide variety of items, plenty of seating, and the service was friendly.

Xiao Long Restaurant
Address: No. 31, Lane 13, Guangfu South Road, Songshan District, Taipei City
Business Hours: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM

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