Popular street snacks at Yan San Night Market: crispy chicken rolls and squid soup, a perfect match!

Text and photos byOld K

The Ye family’s chicken rolls at Yan San Night Market are old K's favorite in Taipei. He had eaten there many times, but they suddenly closed last year. It was said that they paused business for some reason, and so they had been shut down for over a year. Later, a kind friend on the internet informed him that they had reopened. So last Thursday evening, old K rushed there to eat alone XD

The Ye family’s chicken rolls are very close to Dajiaotou MRT Station, so it’s very convenient to get there by subway. They are one of the first few shops right in front of Yan San Night Market. The nearby squid soup shop also does good business. This time old K also planned to have a bowl. He arrived around 6 PM, and there were already quite a few people queuing up outside for takeout chicken rolls!

For dine-in, you sit at the back of their stall — it’s really dark here XD. Previously, old K used to sit behind the charcoal grill area... not too many people came then. But this time he wanted to try something different and sat with others. Ordering is pretty straightforward: chicken rolls are 40 NT$, and squid soup can be ordered with an option to add noodles. Old K just ordered a bowl of squid soup for 45 NT$. The two can be eaten together, but you have to order them separately.

Old K was sitting right behind the chicken roll area and could see them frying the rolls—so many being cooked at once!

Here come old K’s chicken rolls and squid soup — what nostalgic chicken rolls!

Their chicken rolls are fried using bean curd sheets, making them super crispy. Inside, there's half onion and half lean meat. Though it’s called lean meat, it doesn’t feel dry at all. The onions stay a bit crispy and juicy, so the rolls don’t feel greasy and are quite juicy instead. The chicken rolls are already lightly seasoned with five-spice powder. Old K felt the five-spice flavor wasn’t as strong as before, but with a bit of the sweet-salty dipping sauce, it still tastes great. Their chili is also very flavorful — don’t forget to ask the boss to add some!

It also goes really well with pickled cucumbers!

Now for the squid soup. Seeing this bowl reminded old K of another famous squid soup place in Sanchong — but the one here has a lighter starch consistency compared to the thick one from Sanchong. The broth has a sweet, fresh squid taste, which is really delicious. The squid is lightly dusted with flour and blanched, so it’s super chewy and bouncy. Plus, they give you a decent amount of squid too. The combo of chicken rolls and squid soup — old K loves it!

After eating, old K walked back to try this braised intestine dish. It’s not far from the chicken roll place. He noticed someone else also got chicken rolls to go with it, which shows how friendly and cozy Yan San Night Market is. This stall offers only four items listed on the sign — old K got braised intestines and sausages.　

Braised Intestines (50 NT$)

The braised intestines here are lightly soaked in oil, giving the skin a slightly crisp texture. The rice grains inside are Q (chewy) and pair nicely with the special sauce. Many traditional-style dishes use this color of sauce — the chicken rolls he just had did too.

Just like the chicken rolls, there are pickled cucumbers you can eat with these too!

Sausage (25 NT$)

A sausage for 25 NT$ is pretty cheap. It’s also been lightly soaked in oil, so the skin has that slight crunch. This shop’s sausage has a higher ratio of lean meat, though old K prefers fattier ones XD. Don’t eat too much at night,
Finally, finish with a delicious bowl of tofu pudding.

When old K walked back toward the squid soup stall, it had already sold out and closed for the day — and it was only 7 PM. Business must be amazing. There were still quite a few people queuing up for takeaway chicken rolls nearby. Old K feels really lucky XD

Walking a bit further, he reached another very famous stall — originally old K would sit here to eat his mala skewers and then chat with friends... if you bring a group of friends, it's a pretty fun spot to hang out.

Finally, he walked over to Shan Wei Tofu Pudding!

It was pretty hot last week, so old K got a bowl of cold tofu pudding.

Taro, Sweet Potato, and Peanut Tofu Pudding (55 NT$)

He used to always get the taro and peanut version, but this time he upgraded by adding sweet potato to aid digestion XD. He really likes their tofu pudding. In the Datong District, it’s definitely a top choice, and it holds its own against other places too.

The sweet potato is cooked in a sugar syrup, so it’s quite sweet — but their syrup isn’t overly sugary, which is nice.

The taro is caramelized (mi yu tou), with a soft and chewy texture — quite tasty!

The peanuts have a perfect texture — soft yet firm — and made the whole bowl very satisfying in the end.

Old K’s little tips: So happy the Ye family chicken rolls are open again. He also got to try many other tasty snacks. Yan San Night Market is really worth visiting. There are still many stalls he hasn’t introduced — generally, the street vendors are all pretty good. Some shops are great too. It’s a real food hub, and compared to other night markets, it’s much less crowded. If you just want to enjoy great food, come here!

Ye Family Five-Spice Chicken Rolls
Address: No. 8, Section 3, Yanping North Road, Datong District, Taipei City (front section)
Business Hours: 16:30–23:00 (until sold out, irregular holidays)

Squid Soup
Address: No. 8, Section 3, Yanping North Road, Datong District, Taipei City (next to Ye Family Five-Spice Chicken Rolls)
Business Hours: 16:00–until sold out (usually sold out by 7+ PM, closed Saturdays and Sundays)

Big Bridge Head Intestine Pancake
Address: No. 4, Section 3, Yanping North Road, Datong District, Taipei City (front section)
Phone: 0928-885-639
Business Hours: 16:30–00:30

Fir-Flavored Tofu Pudding
Address: No. 56, Section 3, Yanping North Road, Datong District, Taipei City
Phone: 02-2598-3638
Business Hours: 11:00–01:00 (next day)

Old K
Keep eating, one after another—Go, Old K !
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