Taiwanese hipster beef noodle shop – the braised beef noodles have noodles that soak up rich, flavorful broth

Text and photos by /Guixiaosun

I accidentally left the photos of this place “Chunmei Home” in my computer folder for almost a month—just pulling them out now when the nights are getting colder seems perfectly timed (my words XD). To be honest, I was instantly drawn to its cute, artsy vibe the first time I saw it on Instagram~~

For someone like me who judges by appearances, artsy and aesthetically pleasing things always ignite my photography passion. I find myself constantly thinking about such beautiful things. Finally, on an ordinary weekday evening, the two of us stopped by “Chunmei Home” for a quick bite after work while running errands:) Even before stepping inside, we noticed the place was packed with people—but thankfully, the table turnover was fast, so we didn’t have to wait long before we could sit down and enjoy the food!)

Looking around, you’ll find that “Chunmei Home” has a lovely, fresh space. It’s not very big but radiates a warm atmosphere:) Aside from the bar seating near the kitchen, there’s a side wall near the menu with about four tables that can seat three to four people each. Extending from the kitchen bar toward the back of the restaurant, there’s also a high-top seating area with around five or six stools—you can choose any spot that suits you. It’s perfect for solo diners, couples, or even families.

I love kids, so I often capture their expressions. Wondering what’s going on in their little heads?! With mouths full of mom’s love, yet their eyes wandering off into space—the adorable little girl became the star of my day:) So, what did we order that day?!

#Chunmei Braised Beef Noodles 170 TWD #Homemade Fried Sauce Noodles 65 TWD #Owner’s Homemade Fruit Tea 55 TWD #Spicy & Sour Shredded Potatoes 40 TWD #Smoked Tofu Skin 40 TWD

#Owner’s Homemade Fruit Tea 55 TWD

It’s a very straightforward fruit tea—visually pleasing and even more delightful to drink~~~~~ Because the base of this “Chunmei Home” fruit tea is made from traditional pineapples and fresh passion fruits, the classic pineapple has a captivating sweet-and-sour flavor. Paired with the slightly grainy texture of the passion fruit, the ratio is just perfect and super thirst-quenching. It’s incredibly tasty—I love it:))

#Smoked Tofu Skin 40 TWD

At first glance, the word “smoked” made me a bit picky. Some smoked foods are delicious, others not so much—but we both absolutely loved the smoked tofu skin here at “Chunmei Home”~~~ The smoky flavor is just right—not overly salty or greasy. Paired with fresh shredded cucumber, the textures are layered: the chewiness of the tofu skin and the crispness of the cucumber. So good!:))

#Spicy & Sour Shredded Potatoes 40 TWD

Shredded potatoes are just what they sound like—potato shreds. Actually, I only learned that “potatoes = potatoes” about five years ago when I went to Beijing XD In recent years, more and more hot pot restaurants in Taichung have served similar cold potato shreds. This spicy & sour shredded potato dish from “Chunmei Home” has a slight tang and spice, refreshing and appetizing—we love it.

#Homemade Fried Sauce Noodles 65 TWD

Every time I see “fried sauce noodles” outside, it reminds me of my mom. To be honest, I still haven’t found anyone who makes them quite like she does. When I was little, I’d always hear her say that you need a specific brand of sweet bean sauce to get that flavor—and besides adding diced tofu, she’d also toss in green edamame. Since it’s a memory, whenever I see fried sauce noodles on a menu, I wonder if I’ll ever find the same version?! This bowl of “Chunmei Home” homemade fried sauce noodles is definitely not the same as my mom’s—but my friend said the noodles were chewy and delicious, and the sauce had a nostalgic taste. She loved it:)

The staff were very thoughtful when taking our order—they even asked if we wanted their homemade chili sauce?! Hearing that, we immediately said yes. As someone who loves noodles, I’m always a huge fan of the homemade chili from restaurants—this one from “Chunmei Home” is fragrant and spicy. Might consider buying a bottle to take home next time XDXD

#Chunmei Braised Beef Noodles 170 TWD

I came here for this very bowl of “Chunmei Braised Beef Noodles” from “Chunmei Home”~~~~ Look at these beautifully sliced beef briskets, tender with just the right amount of meat and connective tissue!!! And each piece is almost identical in size, shape, and thickness—I, being a bit of a perfectionist, absolutely loved it XD Take a look at how nicely the scallion threads and chopped scallions are sprinkled on top. There’s also some bok choy and tomatoes adding reds and greens to the plate. One bite of the noodles and they’re soaked in the rich beef broth, chewy and springy... Each sip of the broth is bursting with the sweet aroma of beef, paired with those scallions and beef slices. We all agreed to give this bowl of “Chunmei Braised Beef Noodles” a perfect 100 points!(Who asked you to grade it XD)

Finally feeling the winter in Taichung—and during these cooler, breezier evenings after work, you either want to have a hot pot or a steaming bowl of noodles. Are you also a noodle lover?! Haha, I highly recommend this artsy noodle shop that I love. “Chunmei Home,” which is open both day and night, is perfect for grabbing a bite before heading to IKEA:)

Chunmei Home
Facebook Page
Address: No. 588, Huiein Rd., Nantun District, Taichung City
Phone: 04 2258 1685
Hours: 11:30–14:00; 17:30–20:00 (Closed Mondays)

〔Enjoy life, don’t be bored. — Guixiaosun〕,FB