Nostalgic old-school mixed noodles & crispy, fluffy taro balls!

Text & Photos byOld K

I dropped by the new Starbucks in Wanhua during the May Day holiday. The building is classic and charming, but wow, it was super crowded—no seats at all, XD. After a quick look around, I bailed out and headed to lunch. That’s when I remembered there’s a Lizhu Mixed Noodles nearby. It was already past 2 PM, so there probably wouldn’t be a line.

Lizhu Old-School Noodles is located near Wanhua Train Station. It’s just a 10-minute walk from Longshan Temple Station—not too far.

It was already 2 PM, and the place was still packed. Luckily, the two of us could share a table with others, so we didn’t have to wait. Fewer people sometimes has its perks, XD.

We ordered at the counter first before sitting down. We got a pork rib soup noodles and stir-fried mixed rice noodles. Turns out the staff was about to stir-fry some shredded pork rice noodles, so we switched orders on the spot since it would be faster. When you know it’ll be quicker, you just go for it, XD.

There were side dishes we could help ourselves to, so we grabbed two plates.

There was a sign saying the noodles take 30 minutes to cook—so if you’re super hungry, think twice. No wonder we saw a lot of people ordering pork rib rice instead, XD.

No worries—we’ll just munch on the sides to tide us over for now!

Cold Black Fungus Salad (NT$50)

The black fungus had a great QQ (chewy) and crispy texture. The dressing was tangy with a hint of sweetness, plus the aroma of sesame oil and cilantro. The chili was just a hint and not spicy at all—it was super appetizing. With the weather being so hot lately, it’s perfect for this time of year. Old K thought it was pretty tasty!

Fried Taro Balls (NT$50)

We saw lots of people grabbing these fried taro balls, so we got a plate to try.

And they weren’t small either.

The outer shell of the fried taro balls was crispy without being greasy—and there was no oily aftertaste. The inside was super soft and fluffy, not overly sweet. The most unique part? There was a filling of shredded radish in the middle—like the kind you get in turnip cakes. It gave a refreshing, slightly spicy kick that paired really well with the taro. It wasn’t overly salty or rich, and it was quite addictive. We both really liked it. If you see them, we’d definitely recommend giving them a try.

Fried Pork Chops

These were the fried pork chops that came with the pork rib soup noodles. We thought they’d come with the noodles, but they showed up way earlier than expected.

The fried pork chops were made with lean pork, but they weren’t dry at all. They had a nice bounce and a bit of chew. The coating wasn’t thick, but it stayed super crispy. The five-spice seasoning was just right—not greasy at all. Their fried items are really top-notch. If you’re craving something fried, this is the place to go, XD.

Shredded Pork Stir-Fried Rice Noodles (NT$95)

This stir-fried rice noodles was quite different from the ones we usually get outside. These were much more moist, with a strong aroma of lard, and the noodles were softer and springier—kind of halfway between rice noodles and glass noodles in texture.

The shredded pork was also tasty, and there was plenty of it. It really reminded me of the taste of my grandma’s stir-fried noodles when I was a kid—that deep, nostalgic old-school flavor. Old K loved it. It’s a bit oily though, so if you’re in a group, ordering one to share is a good idea.

Pork Rib Soup Noodles (Pork Ribs Extra NT$105)

This bowl of soup noodles felt like it took forever to arrive—we’d already finished the stir-fried noodles ages ago. So yeah, that sign wasn’t kidding, XD.

The broth looked a bit oily, but it wasn’t greasy at all. The flavors were really rich—felt like it was simmered with lots of ingredients. It had that comforting, nostalgic taste. If you don’t mind waiting, you’ve gotta try a bowl of this.

Old K’s Tips:
Lizhu Mixed Noodles doesn’t have the best online reviews, so I was a bit wary at first, XD. Most complaints were about the service attitude, but I didn’t run into any issues this time. Everything I ordered this time was really delicious. I especially recommend the fried taro balls and the soup noodles, though everything else was great too—the first two just left a stronger impression. If you’re into old-school flavors, I highly recommend this place. I’d suggest coming early or, like us, coming a bit later to avoid the lines.

Old K’s Personal Rating (out of 10, higher is better)
Taste: 8.5/10
Value for money: 8/10
Dining environment: 6/10
Price: 7/10

Lizhu Mixed Noodles
Address: No. 48, Xingning Street, Wanhua District, Taipei City
Phone: 02-2308-6530
Business hours: 11:00–22:30 (Closed on Mondays))

Old K
Keep the relay going, Old K！
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