A ramen shop in a Tainan old house where you can enjoy traditional-style pork belly tsukemen!

Text and photos byGui Xiaosun

I wonder if you remember—I have a mixed heritage, half from this province and half from elsewhere. That’s why I’ve always loved noodles. Back when I had a part-time job in college, discovering a great noodle shop would keep me hooked for ages without ever getting tired of it... What about you? What kind of noodles do you like? Soft or firm, white or yellow wheat, wide or thin, dry or in soup?! For regular noodle stalls, my favorite has always been yellow dry noodles—definitely with that chewy, bouncy texture~ And if there’s a special chili sauce, it’s absolutely amazing!! XD

Every so often, I make it a point to take a little trip to Tainan—it’s practically become a habit. I love Tainan’s food, I love its pace of life, and I especially love reconnecting with those familiar old haunts:) This time, I was drawn in by kokoni’s new brand: “Nani Noodles.” Unlike their usual style, this one has the vibe of a hidden gem in a Japanese alleyway~ With the weather cooling down, nothing beats a warm bowl of tsukemen (dipping noodles)! And after finishing your noodles, you can even add some slow-simmered pork bone broth to enjoy your own custom soup base.

In Tainan, Xinmei Street is a lane we’re all very familiar with... Over the years, it’s gotten livelier and more charming. Besides kokoni Cafe and kokoni Kakigori, many wonderful stories continue to unfold here:) The newly opened “Nani Noodles” is also located on this Xinmei Street, so understated that you might just walk right past it without noticing. The entrance, with its entire facade evoking the atmosphere of a century-old Kyoto townhouse, makes you want to sit down and snap an Instagram #aesthetic shot right away!! XD Stepping into “Nani Noodles,” the warm wooden counter and the cozy old-house space create an indescribable sense of beauty~

I’ve never eaten a bowl of noodles while being so close to the chef and the kitchen... Every movement, every dish is laid bare before your eyes. Does this closeness bring us back to a time when there were no barriers between people?! Looking at the roughly ten seats inside, I ponder what message the space is trying to convey, savoring the enchanting charm of the setting...

Sitting at “Nani Noodles,” we take in the simplicity around us, watching the staff busy preparing fresh ingredients, feeling genuinely excited. The golden teapot on the table—no, it’s not filled with oil!! Serving chilled tea in this nostalgic oil canister is such a fun touch; sugar-free and ice-cold, it’s perfect for Tainan’s weather~

What kind of noodles does “Nani Noodles” have?! Hehe, they offer tsukemen and ramen. The tsukemen comes in three varieties: original, curry, and spicy (akashin). Each can be paired with your choice of beef, chicken, or pork:) That day, we went with #Signature Pork & Seafood Tsukemen (Pork) 210 TWD #Pork & Seafood Spicy Tsukemen (Chicken) 230 TWD

While waiting for our food, we wandered around this old house... The familiar frosted glass pattern was something I loved tracing as a kid. The symmetrical staircase at the back of the house had such a steep incline, I couldn’t help but exclaim—“Whoa, going down this is terrifying!” XD Tainan’s old houses are full of stories, but how do they strike a balance between ruin and renewal?! I’ve always found that fascinating.

The space at “Nani Noodles” isn’t large, yet within these limited confines, it’s been lovingly revived by those who cherish it... The peeling walls are preserved like art, the blend of old and new is flawlessly executed, and the single Chinese character for “noodles” hanging above the door transforms this simple space into something deeply thought-provoking:)

No matter what you order at “Nani Noodles,” everything is made fresh to order... Ingredients are cooked and simmered right before your eyes, giving you that personal touch. It may just look like a bowl of tsukemen, but every step of the process feels anything but simple~ Especially that thick, rich sauce, which looks like it’s been brewed with countless ingredients. The meat, too, tastes like it’s been braised and then grilled to perfection!! Just looking at it makes our stomachs growl:)

#Signature Pork & Seafood Tsukemen (Pork) 210 TWD

When it arrives, it’s served in this sizzling cast-iron pot, showcasing your chosen sauce flavor, complete with a runny egg yolk. There’s also a separate bowl of handmade noodles, topped with your selected protein (beef, chicken, or pork). The tableware selection at “Nani Noodles” is so authentically Japanese—I love admiring these beautiful dishes and pairings; they always make me want to recreate something similar at home...:)

Honestly, I’ve never had tsukemen in Taiwan quite like “Nani Noodles”—it’s uniquely Taiwanese yet distinctly Japanese... Especially the “Signature Pork & Seafood Tsukemen (Pork),” where the pork seems to be pork belly, braised and then grilled before serving!! The pork belly is absolutely mind-blowing!! The skin is like braised pork rind—super chewy and bouncy~~~~ The braising juices have penetrated deep into the pork belly, giving every bite that nostalgic, home-cooked flavor... And the perfect ratio of fat to lean, juicy yet firm, flavorful and satisfying!! (eyes sparkling)

How do you eat tsukemen?! Hehe~~ Just dip the noodles from your bowl into the special sauce!! You can dip lightly or fully submerge them before lifting out to eat:) We deliberately ordered the original-flavored “Signature Pork & Seafood Tsukemen” to compare it with the spicy (akashin) version... We were wondering if the tsukemen sauce might be too salty or heavy?! But the sauce at “Nani Noodles” is surprisingly mild—no wonder you can later add pork bone broth for another delicious experience~

We absolutely love the noodles at “Nani Noodles”! They’re so good I wanted to ask the owner where they source them from!! The noodles are perfectly chewy and firm, with that satisfying bounce in every bite—they might just be the best noodles I’ve ever had!! When you dip these springy noodles into the sauce, the rich liquid coats every strand, and putting them in your mouth is pure “ahhh~~~” bliss... The sauce is thick yet delicately smooth, as if it’s been slow-cooked for ages with tons of pork and chicken bones, making me dip each strand multiple times before finally eating it.

The runny egg in the cast-iron pot gives you such a strong sense of being in Japan~~~~ The warm egg is gently cracked open with chopsticks, revealing that golden-orange yolk—it’s simply mesmerizing!! Eat it plain or dip it in the sauce, and it’s pure happiness. (I wonder if anyone else feels that eating “eggs” always brings a sense of joy?)

#Pork & Seafood Spicy Tsukemen (Chicken) 230 TWD

If you love spicy food, I highly recommend trying the “Pork & Seafood Spicy Tsukemen” at “Nani Noodles”!! After tasting both flavors, this one completely won us over!! Because we’re total spice lovers~~~~ XDXD The cast-iron pot arrives piping hot with the “Pork & Seafood Spicy Tsukemen,” along with another bowl of tsukemen + chicken. Look at those charred marks on the chicken—it seems the thigh meat was also braised and then grilled!! Just the aroma alone, blending the braising juices with the smoky char from high heat, is enough to make you want to steal the recipe—it’s insanely delicious~

My friend couldn’t stop raving about the “Pork & Seafood Spicy Tsukemen,” declaring their love for the sauce!! The best part? It’s not crazy spicy—if you’re used to spicy food, it’s only mildly to moderately hot. But if you can’t handle spice, it might make you sweat XD The delicious noodles, paired with the flavorful sauce. As someone who loves noodles, I was completely immersed in this simple yet wonderful happiness...

Think it ends there?! Haha~~~~ After finishing the tsukemen, treat yourself to a steaming bowl of pork bone broth!! And the richness might vary for each person, because the broth is poured directly into your cast-iron pot ^~^ If you have more leftovers, the broth will be richer. If you have less, it’ll be lighter... I believe no matter which way, it extends the deliciousness of the pot, giving you a “two-for-one” experience in one bowl!!

Adding the pork bone broth to the two different flavored sauces reminded me of that sweet-and-savory broth at the end of takoyaki~~ The spice lovers among us were once again conquered by the “Pork & Seafood Spicy Tsukemen”! The spicy broth, now with added broth, is pleasantly tingling and incredibly satisfying!! We polished off the whole bowl XD

Thanks to fate, we got to visit “Nani Noodles” early:) Though understated inside and out, it’s about to make its grand debut. The seating isn’t plentiful, and you probably can’t reserve ahead~~ But sitting here, you’re not just immersed in the ambiance of an old Tainan house—you also get to taste a fusion of Japanese and Taiwanese-style tsukemen. The “Nani Noodles” that hooked us from the first bite? We’re sure it’ll turn any noodle lover into a loyal fan. Can’t wait for its official opening!!

Nani Noodles
Facebook Page  instagram 
Address: No. 163, Xinmei St., West Central Dist., Tainan City
Phone: 06 222 8030
Hours: 11:30–14:30; 17:00–19:30

〔Enjoy life, stay curious. By Gui Xiaosun〕、FB