Taipei’s Budget Bite: Squid Soup & A Bowl of Classic “Lu Rou Fan”

Text & Photos /Wisely

Aside from the Wanhua Night Market, I personally think there are quite a few great options for lu rou fan (braised pork rice) around the Shuanglian area in Taipei. This place, ‘Station Front Squid Soup (Station Front Snack Shop)’, located near Mackay Memorial Hospital and right next to Exit 2 of Shuanglian Metro Station, is actually one I quite like. Though the environment is a bit humble, the ingredients and flavors are solid, and the prices are cheap and satisfying~

This simple snack stall lets you grab a meal for just a few coins, and it’s conveniently located right next to McDonald’s, so it’s easy to find.

The menu has a lot of variety, and sometimes even Japanese tourists come to eat here, so the shop uses photos for ordering.

There are quite a few regular elderly customers who dine here, so even outside peak hours, business is still pretty good…

In addition to chili water, they also offer spicy dry powder, which pairs really well with homemade soups. It’s even better on cold days.

The shop’s lu rou fan is pretty good—the rice is a bit ordinary but served in a generous portion. The diced braised pork is rich with an old-school flavor, and it also includes pickled melon for extra taste. Highly recommended to give it a try.

That day I ordered a bowl of mixed soup. The meatballs were lean and had a nice texture, while the squid in the squid soup was coated in a unique batter—since it uses Korean squid, it has a slightly reddish hue. The broth is simmered with shredded bamboo shoots and infused with basil, giving it a sweet and fragrant taste. I loved it so much I went back for a second bowl of just the soup. ^^

Station Front Squid Soup
Address: No. 53, Minsheng West Road, Datong District, Taipei City
Phone: 02-2550-0055
Hours: Monday to Friday 06:30–20:00, Saturday 06:30–16:00, closed on Sundays

Wisely
A Pisces man who records food, travel, and life,
Who enjoys jotting down the little moments in everyday life.
Always yearning for the rich and colorful stories of others,
He earnestly documents his own life experiences on his blog,
So the footprints he’s walked and explored aren’t just left in his mind.
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