A must-try for Chiayi locals: The hidden “Nameless Lamb Soup” tucked in front of an old house

▲ Chiayi’s Hidden Lamb Soup

Reported and photographed by You T-Ru / Chiayi

With no signboard, no name, and an almost untraceable opening date, there’s a “hidden” nameless lamb soup spot in Chiayi, nestled in front of a traditional Japanese-style house. It’s considered the best lamb soup by the locals. “I think the lamb soup from our hometown isn’t too sweet or too salty, with a subtle angelica aroma — it’s simply the best,” said Mr. Su, a local from Chiayi.


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When it comes to Taiwan’s local snacks, every county and city has its own preferred flavors, and every Taiwanese person has their own list of the “most delicious spots right at the end of their alley.” Chiayi locals are no exception. Aside from their personal rankings for chicken rice, lamb soup also makes the list. As for why the lamb soup tastes so good? Locals say it’s not as sweet as the kind in Tainan that’s loaded with sugar, nor as salty as the northern versions that rely solely on salt. “Anyway, you’ll just have to try it for yourself!”


▲ The shop’s price list
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This small shop, hidden in front of a Japanese-style house, specializes in “angelica lamb”-themed dishes. The semi-open-air eatery features a small area for cooking and processing the lamb, while the rest of the seating is makeshift. It looks like an old-established spot. During peak summer, the lamb soup shop usually opens around 11 a.m. and sells out by around 4 p.m. Despite the sweltering heat, customers keep eating non-stop with their chopsticks and spoons — a clear sign of how good it is.

The must-order signature dishes at this “hidden” nameless lamb soup spot are the lamb soup and lamb noodles. Other cuts are said to be equally delicious, but they were already sold out by the time our reporter visited. The lamb soup has a clear broth, with the natural fragrance of angelica subtly sweetening the taste. The lamb is tender and not gamey, and when paired with blanched ginger slices, the tender meat goes perfectly with the savory-sweet broth — truly excellent.

The lamb noodles, made with fine vermicelli, can be enjoyed either in soup or dry. They also use the same angelica broth base. There isn’t a large portion of noodles, but the thin vermicelli pairs wonderfully with the broth. Locals recommend trying it after about 2 p.m., when the angelica broth is at its most flavorful. Travelers interested in this dish may want to keep that in mind.


▲ Lamb Soup
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Nameless Lamb Soup
Address: Beixing Street, West District, Chiayi City (under the Beixing Overpass)
Business Hours: Approximately 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.