This Taiwanese hipster cold noodle shop feels like stepping into a café — featuring yin-yang noodles with curry aroma

Text & photos byGui Xiaosun

It’s truly a happy thing to have delicious food nearby!) The area around Beiping Road and Tianjin Road in Taichung is bustling and full of tasty eats. This “Lao San Liang Mian” is a new “hipster cold noodle shop” that opened in Taichung this summer. We absolutely love both the food and the space design. It’s so close to our home that we can stroll over for a meal on holidays, or even take some to go after work — still super satisfying.

Located on the first floor of an old apartment building, its corner spot exudes a low-key yet inviting charm... To be honest, the first time I saw it, I really thought it was a café or brunch spot. But as I got closer, I realized it was actually a fresh and trendy cold noodle shop.

We loved it when we came here in the summer, and now that autumn is here, they’ve introduced new dishes like hot meals and Spicy Prince Noodles, which made me decide to share it with everyone. I believe noodle-loving guys and girls who appreciate stylish cafés will both be won over by “Lao San Liang Mian”! Plus, there are outdoor seats here, making it perfect for families with kids or even those bringing their furry friends along. ^______________^ /

“Lao San Liang Mian” is situated in a lively yet scenic spot, just a corner away from the bustling Beiping Road. Walk into the alley, and you’ll spot frangipani flowers, a dark gray awning, and four black-and-white characters — that’s how you find “Lao San Liang Mian”! Every time we come, we linger outside for a bit. We really love the vibe of plants at the entrance and the large glass doors. The natural greenery and play of light are things no decoration could replicate :) Whether it’s day or night, this little shop is clearly a local favorite — often filled with moms and their kids, or couples holding hands. It’s such an ordinary scene, yet so simple and deeply touching.

When it’s hot, you can sit inside, and when it cools down in the evening, you can choose to sit in the open corridor :) The space design is very thoughtful, and it’s convenient even if you’re out with pets. And we really love these outdoor seats because with sunlight, everything looks amazing for photos XD

In recent years, more and more small shops have been presenting traditional foods in beautiful, hipster ways, and I really love this change :) Unlike the unchanging appearances of the past, each innovation and breakthrough often stirs emotions and sparks ideas in us... It makes you realize that even a bowl of noodles can be this hipster, this stylish. A bowl of noodles is not so simple after all — even cold noodles can be presented beautifully and movingly.

Opened in June, “Lao San Liang Mian” often pops up on Instagram. The vibe of the shop makes you feel like you’ve walked into a café by mistake. XD But the handwritten chalkboard menus awaken our appetite, making us so hungry we want to try every flavor. There’s self-serve water and utensils, and a thoughtful chalkboard reminding you to inform the owner if you don’t want garlic. It’s clean, comfortable, considerate, and gentle — it feels like home.

For this photo session to properly share “Lao San Liang Mian,” we deliberately chose an outdoor table :) I love the autumn breeze, the angle that catches the shade of the frangipani trees, and the time spent sharing a meal with loved ones. The new menu features “hot food” options, and each dish feels perfect for this gradually cooling season...

#Yin-Yang Curry Cold Noodles 50 TWD #Curry Beef Ramen 120 TWD #Curry Cauliflower Buckwheat Noodles 85 TWD #Spicy Duck Blood Prince Noodles 70 TWD #Cold Brew Oolong Tea 25 TWDMoreover, the newly launched hot curry noodle dishes for dine-in now come with #Old-Fashioned Black Tea free refills. Nothing beats food and drinks. ^___________^ / 

Hahaha. I always end up waiting for all the dishes to arrive, and by then I’m usually starving XD But it’s all worth it for such a photogenic spread (my friend rolls her eyes so hard they might fly away). And “Lao San Liang Mian” is the trendiest noodle shop we’ve discovered recently. Seeing these delicious dishes arrive, I really can’t just call them “a bowl of noodles”:) The vibe, that hipster atmosphere — from the colors and aromas to the plating — has completely captured my heart. Eating noodles here is like sipping coffee — utterly immersive.

#Yin-Yang Curry Cold Noodles 50 TWD

This #Yin-Yang Curry Cold Noodles is our absolute favorite. We’ve loved it since summer, and we still can’t get enough of it in autumn. The highlight is definitely their curry sauce — rich and aromatic, paired with fresh shredded carrots and cucumbers, creating a colorful presentation. The so-called “yin-yang” refers to two colors of thin noodles combined, not two flavors. XDXD The white and yellow noodles intertwine with red carrots and green cucumbers — such a feast of yellow, white, red, and green that’s oddly comforting to look at.

Don’t let the portion of this #Yin-Yang Curry Cold Noodles fool you. Even small-bowl girls will leave full. ^______________^ / Just lift the noodles, mix in the curry sauce, and take a bite. The yin-yang noodles are super chewy, and the sauce clings without feeling heavy. With a bit of minced garlic, fresh carrot shreds, and cucumber, the texture is smooth. Every bite carries the enticing aroma of the curry sauce — absolutely delicious. :)

#Curry Cauliflower Buckwheat Noodles 85 TWD

We already loved the curry sauce at “Lao San Liang Mian,” so when we saw the new hot dishes, we immediately brought the whole family. XD The new hot curry noodles come in two flavors. Veggie lovers can go for the “Curry Cauliflower Noodles,” while meat lovers will enjoy the “Curry Beef Noodles.” My friend, for instance, loves the “Curry Cauliflower Buckwheat Noodles”! Sometimes she doesn’t feel like eating too much meat, and the abundance of fresh veggies totally wins her over. Plus, the hot curry noodles also come with buckwheat or ramen options. My friend is a huge buckwheat fan — she’d probably order it wherever she sees it. XD

This bowl of “Curry Cauliflower Buckwheat Noodles” is so sunny. The freshly blanched cauliflower, baby corn, and green beans look like they’ve just sprouted from the earth. The crispness and freshness in every bite are just pure and wonderful. The light purple noodles give off a delicate Japanese fragrance. Paired with the steaming curry sauce, the buckwheat noodles are fully coated in rich aroma.

Trying the hot curry sauce at “Lao San Liang Mian” for the first time amazed and delighted me. The aroma is just right — not overwhelming even after a few bites. This is probably what all curry lovers who fear a bad curry experience hope for but dread. XDXD If you love curry too, I sincerely recommend trying “Lao San Liang Mian,” because its taste gives me a sense of “coming home.” ^____________^ /

#Curry Beef Ramen 120 TWD

Sharing the same flavor profile as the cauliflower curry, this one is what my family ordered — the “Curry Beef Ramen.”!!! ^_____________^ / My meat-loving family member spotted the beef and immediately decided on this bowl. When it arrived, the chunks of beef were so generous we couldn’t believe it. Each piece is about the size of a soup spoon, and the best part is the tender texture — chewy with bits of tendon, absolutely delicious. Each piece is also coated in rich curry sauce. Biting into the beef, you get the aroma of curry and the smoothness of the sauce. So satisfying. ~~~~

And this “Curry Beef Ramen” — we opted for the ramen noodles, of course!! It was our first time trying ramen paired with curry sauce~~~ and the flavor combo turned out to be surprisingly amazing, giving off the vibe of a cozy Japanese diner!! The super springy ramen noodles felt just like they’d been freshly hand-pulled by the chef... paired with that rich, aromatic curry sauce, every bite delivered noodles bursting with curry flavor!! Just one taste had this ramen-loving soul of mine completely hooked!!! ^~^

# Spicy Duck Blood Prince Noodles 70 NT

If you’re in a group where someone doesn’t like curry, head to “Old San Liang Noodles” — they also serve Spicy Duck Blood!! ^___________^ / For example, when we were kids, we absolutely loved curry, but for some reason, we stopped eating it later on. When we brought her here, she always orders this “Spicy Duck Blood Prince Noodles” ~ The highlight? The spicy duck blood here is mild, the kind where you can eat as much as you want without feeling overheated...

And for us adults, the level of numbness and spiciness is probably only mild to medium at most. No need to worry about it being too spicy to handle XD

With its mildly numbing and spicy flavor, it’s really perfect for both summer and the cooler autumn and winter seasons!! On hot summer days when you’ve lost your appetite, this spicy kick really whets your appetite; during the chilly winter weather, a bowl of “Spicy Duck Blood Prince Noodles” warms both the heart and stomach!! And for just 70 NT, you get a huge portion loaded with plenty of duck blood, tofu, plus a big clump of prince noodles!! If this showed up as a late-night snack, I’d definitely devour it on the spot!! XD The duck blood is super chewy and juicy — one wrong bite and the broth might just burst out... The tofu is also richly marinated, sprinkled with some green onions, and when you scoop up the prince noodles and pop them into your mouth, that mildly spicy aroma instantly dances on your palate... That’s the “Spicy Duck Blood Prince Noodles” for you!!! So delicious, I could even finish the broth ^____________^ /

# Traditional Black Tea (Complimentary Refills with In-House Curry Noodle Orders)

When dining in, just order the newly launched hot curry noodle dishes, and you’ll get a complimentary cup of traditional black tea with your meal — and it’s unlimited refills too!! ^__________^ / I’m a huge fan of this traditional black tea, especially because the sweetness is just right, somewhere between slightly sweet and half-sweet. Chilled and sipped, the mellow aroma of the black tea brings back that nostalgic old-school flavor!!

 # Cold-Brewed Oolong Tea 25 NT

If you’re like us and prefer sugar-free drinks, you should also try the cold-brewed oolong tea from “Old San Liang Noodles”!! ^______________^ / This big bottle is only 25 NT, and every time it’s served, I end up drinking half the bottle in no time. Especially during those super-hot summer visits — nothing’s more refreshing than sugar-free tea!! XD Paired with curry noodles or spicy duck blood, it instantly refreshes your taste buds!! The subtle, enchanting aroma of oolong tea, enjoyed after a hearty meal, makes the whole experience even more delightful :)

The first time we saw “Old San Liang Noodles,” we honestly thought it was a café or a brunch spot~~~~ but after visiting again and again, what we came to feel here was a sense of “coming home for a meal.” These simple dishes are anything but ordinary!! From beautifully presented, appetizing cold noodles to the newly launched hot curry noodles, spicy duck blood prince noodles, and more — I see these dishes carrying a kind of gentle warmth, like “there’s a bowl of noodles waiting for you at home.” Each bowl carries a sense of dedication, of care... When you see someone pour so much heart into presenting such a simple dish... besides being moved, your heart also fills with happiness :)

We’re sharing this wonderful taste, this flavor we love, with all of you... Next time you’re passing by, make sure to stop by and give it a try. “Old San Liang Noodles” is absolutely worth a visit if you’re a fan of noodles ~ ^________________^ /

Old San Liang Noodles

No. 1, Lane 34, Qingdao West Street, North District, Taichung City
04 2295 9960
11:00–15:00; 17:00–20:00; Closed on Fridays
Official Facebook Page

〔Enjoy life, don’t be bored. — Rule Xiaosun〕、FB