The unique taste of vintage snacks—Moonlight Pork Rice with a raw egg yolk

Text & photos byXiao Sheng’s Wandering Journey

Vintage pork rice topped with a moonlight (egg yolk)—a nostalgic yet creative twist that surprised me with its first bite. Its distinctive flavor is truly delightful.

Red lanterns glow brightly, and a vintage-style food stall stands quietly on a small side street near Wenchang Street in Shalu, close to Zhongshan Road. Though the space is modest, it attracts many food enthusiasts. Perhaps it’s this nostalgic vibe that brings back long-forgotten retro feelings. That’s why, when my Malaysian friend visited, I specially brought him here to explore this long-lost vintage taste.

Although the exterior of the building isn’t an old structure, the hanging red lanterns add a touch of nostalgia.

This eatery is simply called La Zai Mian. While the interior isn’t particularly retro, the tables and chairs are made from elementary school-era desks and benches. The seat numbers aren’t digits but instead use class designations like “Year X, Class Y,” giving off a fun, back-to-elementary-school feeling.

The General Affairs Office, of course, refers to the bulletin board. Aside from the menu, special or newly launched dishes are also announced here. Naturally, La Zai Mian clearly states that none of their meals contain any MSG.

The Welfare Office, of course, is where the food is prepared—just like the school cafeterias of our childhood.

The menu at La Zai Mian includes not only vintage rice dishes but also soups, braised snacks, and side dishes. There aren’t many options, but they’re all comforting, old-school flavors that really hit the spot for someone like me who loves nostalgic tastes.

Braised Snack Platter (NT$50)

It comes with kelp, dried tofu, marinated eggs, soybean rolls, and braised slab tofu. With a wide variety and only 50 bucks, the braised items are overall quite flavorful. They may not be outstanding, but they’re a great choice for satisfying cravings.

Cabbage Braised (NT$30)

An authentic Taiwanese snack, cabbage braised. It’s been ages since I last had this kind of home-style dish. The version at La Zai Mian has a refreshing taste, letting you enjoy the pure sweet flavor of the cabbage.

Blanched Greens (NT$30)

The blanched greens are sweet potato leaves. Fresh sweet potato leaves, lightly blanched and then drizzled with a bit of soy sauce, are incredibly delicious.

Mixed Soup (NT$30)

For the soup, I went straight for the mixed soup. That way, I got pig skin, radish, tofu, and meatballs all in one bowl—fulfilling all my cravings (well, sort of). The crispness of the pig skin, the firmness of the tofu, and the chewiness of the meatballs, all in a broth made from simmered radish. The soup is refreshingly light and naturally sweet.

La Zai Mian (Small, NT$25)

The term “La Zai Mian” was also a first for me. It’s a Central Taiwan specialty, just like northern Taiwan’s Qie Zi Mian or southern Taiwan’s Dan Zai Mian. Though they may look similar, over time, noodle dishes from the north, central, and southern regions have developed their own unique characteristics. In Central Taiwan, it gradually evolved into La Zai Mian. The word “la” (拉) refers to the process of hand-pulling noodles, which are then boiled in a big pot and kept warm in a steamer. When customers place their orders, a portion is pulled out for serving.

After being pulled, the noodles are served with bean sprouts, cilantro, minced pork, and mashed garlic, all stirred together before eating. The noodles themselves are quite chewy. The minced pork and mashed garlic add extra flavor. Though it’s not as eye-catching as the Moonlight Pork Rice, it still tastes pretty good—light and easy on the stomach.

Moonlight Pork Rice (Small, NT$35)

The star of the show at Shalu La Zai Mian is undoubtedly this bowl of Moonlight Pork Rice. Vintage-style pork rice is topped with a raw egg yolk, which you mix in before eating. This unique and fresh combination was a first for me.

Even from another angle, the Moonlight Pork Rice is just as beautiful. The pork rice itself isn’t just plain rice mixed with lard—it also contains bits of crispy fried lard and fried shallots, adding fragrance and a rich retro feel. But remember to mix it well before eating.

Once stirred, the Moonlight Pork Rice glistens enticingly. You can practically taste its deliciousness before even taking a bite. Unlike the other lighter dishes at the shop, this one is more robust. But the lard mixed with white rice and the moonlight egg yolk helps balance the saltiness. The savory richness of the lard brings back memories of long-gone flavors. With the addition of fried shallots and crispy fried lard, the retro flavor level goes through the roof. The egg yolk adds a silky texture to the vintage pork rice. This dish will definitely make you fall in love with its blend of nostalgia and modern flair.

Pork Rice (Small, NT$20)

After finishing the Moonlight Pork Rice, my Malaysian friend couldn’t get enough and ordered another serving of regular pork rice to savor the vintage taste. This version has less of the modern twist but brings back even stronger memories of the old flavors. It’s also really tasty.

Overall, the flavors at Shalu La Zai Mian are on the lighter, refreshing side. Though delicious, they’re not overwhelmingly spectacular. But their pork rice and Moonlight Pork Rice are truly exceptional and hard to find elsewhere. Such vintage flavors are so rare these days, yet you can discover them right here. Fans of nostalgic tastes definitely shouldn’t miss this place.

Shalu La Zai Mian
Address: No. 47, Wenchang Street, Shalu District, Taichung City
Phone: 0963772699
Business Hours: 10:00–19:30

Xiao Sheng’s Wandering Journey
Every journey of wandering, every trip, is a quest—though I’m not entirely sure what I’m searching for. Yet, in the end, what I gain often exceeds what I had imagined. And so, my wandering journey will continue without end.