The fried mantou and fish soup shop that has people lining up since midnight – 10 famous Taiwan snack spots with long queues

▲ A line forms for Ah Ming’s Pork Heart Glass Noodles. (Photo/Screen capture fromAh Ming’s Pork Heart Glass Noodles)

Tourism Center / Comprehensive Report

When you see a long line, don’t you wonder what everyone’s waiting for? Is it really that good? So you join the queue, even if it means waiting over an hour or longer. Gradually, a long queue seems to indicate the place probably won’t disappoint. According toWoke Island, there are three main reasons people are willing to wait in line:great value for money, a long-standing reputation, or innovative dishes that blow your mind. See how many of these places you’ve queued for?

▲ Yu Family Clear Fish Soup. (Photo/Screen capture fromAuthentic 【Yu Family】 Clear Fish Soup)

Keelung – Yu Family Clear Fish Soup
It’s not surprising to see crowds during the day, but at Yu Family Clear Fish Soup, which doesn’t open until 3 a.m., there’s already a long queue forming outside. It takes about an hour of waiting before you can enjoy the clear fish soup. Inside, there's plenty of fresh tilapia, and the broth is savory yet not fishy, with a subtle sweet taste from the fish. In addition to the clear fish soup, they also serve fish ball soup, fish skin soup, fried rice, fried noodles, and fried rice vermicelli — and you can even mix and match, such as pairing fried noodles with fried rice, choosing any two. The prices are very reasonable too.

Address: No. 131, Ren’an St., Zhongshan District, Keelung City (next to Xian Dong Elementary School)
Business hours: 3:00 a.m. to sold out (closed on Mondays)

▲ Guangzhou Street Premium Fried Tofu. (Photo/Screen capture fromPremium Fried Tofu Fan Page)

Taipei – Guangzhou Street Premium Fried Tofu
Premium Fried Tofu is a popular old-school spot in the Mengjia area. In addition to fried tofu, they also offer fried tofu pockets, pig’s blood cake, small meatballs, and more. The shop recommends adding a little spice for extra flavor. Also, don’t rush off after eating—ask the boss to mix the leftover sauce in your bowl with a broth made from white radish and pork bones. The combination is addictive once you try it.

Address: Intersection of Guangzhou St. and Wuzhou St., Wanhua District, Taipei City
Phone: 02-2302-6022
Business hours: 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m.

New Taipei – Jin Da Lu Rou Fan
Netizens call their lu rou fan “the best north of the Zhuoshui River!” The glossy-looking lu rou fan isn’t greasy despite its rich flavor—it’s aromatic without being overly salty. The pork is tender and not oily, and many online reviewers rave that the sweet lu rou sauce transforms plain white rice into something truly delicious. It’s so good that people come from far and wide just to have a taste.

Address: No. 40, Daren St., Sanchong District, New Taipei City
Phone: 02-2983-6726
Business Hours: 06:00–21:00

▲ Family-secret specialty sponge cake. (Photo / Screenshot fromZheng’s Specialty Sponge Cake)

Hsinchu – Zheng’s Family-secret Specialty Sponge Cake
Established in 1968 (Year 57 of the Republic of China), Zheng’s family-secret specialty sponge cake features a plum blossom-shaped cake that even bears the imprint “V汀弊郑?which is the signature mark of this beloved local treat. The sponge cake is famous for its fluffy texture and rich taste. Whether you prefer it plain or with fillings like chocolate or red bean, you can choose your favorite at the ordering counter. Staff note that if you want a different flavor, you can request it at the back counter. Options include white, chocolate, and red bean.

Address: No. 7, Zhongyang Rd., East District, Hsinchu City (near Zhongyang Market)
Business Hours: 07:30–19:30 (until sold out)

▲ Moo Moo House Croissant Puff Specialist. (Photo / Screenshot fromMoo Moo House)

Taichung – Moo Moo House Croissant Puff Specialist
Moo Moo House’s puffs have a crispy exterior and a very rich filling. When cut open, the puff is completely filled with filling—no empty spaces. Besides their most popular crispy croissant puffs, they also offer croissant bread, egg tarts, fried dough twists, and more. Regulars say once you try them, you’ll keep coming back. Even if you’re full, you still want to eat more.

Address: Intersection of Xinxing Lane 7, Xindong Li, Longjing District, Taichung City
Business Hours: 13:30–19:00 (Closed Mondays)

Taichung – Beitun Jun’gong Road Nameless Egg Pancake Breakfast Shop
This traditional egg pancake breakfast shop makes its egg pancakes using a batter method. The batter includes a bit of green onion, resulting in a soft yet slightly crispy pancake with good thickness and a satisfying fullness. Each egg pancake only costs NT$20, a piece of turnip cake is NT$10, soy milk is NT$10, and there are also potstickers and leek pockets. Netizens say “it’s really great value for money!”

Address: Intersection of Section 2, Jun’gong Rd. and Junhe St., Beitun District, Taichung City (nearby)

▲ Dounan Fried Mantou (Photo / Provided by wayne)

Yunlin – Dounan Fried Mantou
Dounan Fried Mantou doesn’t open until 9:30 PM, but people are already lining up by 9:00 PM. Actually, it’s a long-established breakfast shop known as “Dounan Old Shop Soy Milk,” which has been around for over 60 years and is now run by the third generation. It’s a late-night and breakfast spot many locals have grown up with. Later, because the fried mantou became so famous and offers good value, most people started calling it Dounan Fried Mantou. The shop says its popular items include cheese and condensed milk fried mantou, caramel and matcha fried mantou, fried mantou burgers, pork chop egg pancakes, and soy milk. Rice balls are also highly recommended.

Address: No. 117, Zhongzheng Rd., Dounan Township, Yunlin County (near the intersection with Zhongshan Rd.)
Business Hours: 21:30–08:00

▲ Ah Ming’s Pig Heart. (Photo / Screenshot fromAh Ming’s Pig Heart Glass Noodles)

Tainan – Ah Ming’s Pig Heart
Ah Ming’s Pig Heart is called by netizens “an unforgettable delicious taste!” Even if you have to wait over 30 minutes, it’s worth it. Many also praise the boss’s amazing memory: “They remember who ordered what dish even 30 minutes ago!” The pig heart pieces are all tender and pinkish, and taste very fresh and springy.

Address: No. 72, Bao’an Rd., Tainan City
Phone: 06-2233741
Business hours: 5:00 PM – 1:00 AM

▲Big KOU Pang Grilled Sandwich. (Photo / Reposted fromBig KOU Pang Grilled Sandwich)

Kaohsiung — Big KOU Pang Grilled Sandwich
The shop only sells grilled sandwiches and drinks, and clearly lists the fillings inside each sandwich. Netizens say that Big KOU Pang Grilled Sandwich is “one of the must-tries in Kaohsiung” and has amazing value for money.

Address: No. 78, Dayi Road, Yancheng District, Kaohsiung City
Phone: 07-5610262
Business hours: 7:00 AM – 11:00 AM, 6:00 PM – 11:00 PM

▲Dingpu Grandma’s Scallion Pancake. (Photo / Reposted fromDingpu Grandma’s Scallion Pancake)

Yilan — Dingpu Grandma’s Scallion Pancake
Grandma makes the pancakes fresh, with a crispy outside and soft inside, thin yet chewy, offering the aroma of flour fried to perfection without being greasy. The middle is packed with plenty of scallions and egg, and when paired with spicy sauce, it’s an absolutely perfect match. Everyone says “you’ll get hooked after just one bite!”