High-Value Budget Pasta Shop – A Whole Chicken Leg & Spicy Noodles with Dreamy Flavor

Text & Photos /Gui Xiaosun

There are a few shops near my home that I often visit after work, but I never really thought of writing about them before!! XD Honestly, sometimes it’s because I’m afraid someone might recognize me from the photos, so I always hesitate—of course, laziness plays a part too, haha~ Like this place, ‘Gaomu Handmade Cuisine,’ right near our home, around the National Science and Technology Museum!! We’d often go there in the evenings or on weekends, and this time I decided to bring my camera along to take some shots XD

A seemingly ordinary budget pasta shop, but the pasta here is genuinely excellent!! Besides the great value for money, you get refined dishes that leave you thoroughly satisfied~ It’s a small shop, with an orange, white, and green facade that’s simple yet very approachable, making you want to keep coming back!!

This ‘Gaomu Handmade Cuisine’ feels like homemade family cooking, often a great spot for families and office workers to dine!! Though the space isn’t large, it’s warm and welcoming!! It’s like the kind of neighbor’s home cooking you can just walk downstairs to enjoy—reassuring and consistently delicious.

The vibe here always makes us feel relaxed and at ease. Sometimes we’ll even order a huge plate of clam pasta, and we love checking out what new chef’s specials they’ve written on their daily chalkboard!! XD The cozy space is accompanied by relaxing music... After work, it’s the perfect way to enjoy a light dinner and then take a stroll—just little moments of happiness in life~

‘Gaomu Handmade Cuisine’ once participated in the Campania Cup Italian Pasta Creative Competition—and even won!! Just hearing that makes you think, “Wow, it must be good!!” Once you try it, you’ll know it really is—delicious pasta with amazing value for money~ XD

There’s also a second floor with more seating!! The lighting is our favorite warm yellow-orange tone~ The decor is simple, centered around natural wood tones!! It feels grounded yet has that familiar, comforting vibe of eating near home!! XD

The prices here are seriously great value!! Most pastas are under 200 NT!! And they come with a drink and soup!! Upgrade to a set meal for salad, bread, and dessert~ If you want our all-time favorite Canned Chicken Leg Pasta, it’s only 270 NT max!! It’s truly an amazing budget pasta spot. I highly recommend it for couples, families, or office workers looking for a solid dinner option after work!! XD

That day, we ordered two pastas, one of which was the upgraded set meal~ Seeing the chef’s special Grilled Pork Chop Salad on the chalkboard, we couldn’t resist ordering it too!! The soup of the day was taro soup, which I knew was my friend’s favorite!! So naturally, we let her have it all—she said it was rich and had a lovely grainy texture XD

We loved both the upgraded bread and salad from the set!! The warm scallion bread was heavenly—soft inside, crispy outside!! Their salad was another hit for us—simple greens tossed in vinaigrette!! The tangy flavor was so refreshing and appetizing XD That day’s mango slush was slightly sweet and sour, icy cold and refreshing!! I think it’d be a hit with kids~

My friend’s Garlic-Chili Chicken Pasta looked absolutely irresistible!! XD The noodles here are super chewy, the chicken tender and generously portioned!! Stir-fried-style flavors are our absolute favorite~ The layers of garlic and chili coat those round, firm noodles perfectly—not too mild, not too heavy.

Wrapping bite after bite around your fork is pure joy!! My friend loves pasta and always defaults to it when unsure what to eat!! So she’s always eager to try different places XD But every time she comes here, she’s impressed by how well-made the pasta is!! Even without flashy decor, it’s the kind of taste you get used to and keep coming back for.

That day, the chef’s special Grilled Pork Chop Salad arrived!! About the size of a palm~~ Freshly grilled, not greasy at all, and really delicious!! Paired with a special sauce and fresh greens, it’s refreshing and never gets boring!! Perfect for two people to share one order!!

The cross-section shows the pork chop’s marbling—it’s almost like premium pork belly!! With a good mix of lean meat, fat, and connective tissue, it’s juicy and layered in texture. Pork chop lovers should definitely give this a try!! Eating it with the salad makes for an awesome combo~

Next up was my all-time, absolute favorite—Canned Chicken Leg Pasta!! Truly, once you have this, you’ll be hooked!! Just that whole big chicken leg alone makes the value unbeatable!! Stop thinking pasta won’t fill you up XD

And this ‘Canned Chicken Leg’ is honestly one of the best chicken legs I’ve ever had!! No need for a knife at all—the leg practically falls apart with a gentle pull or a poke of a fork!! The inside is so tender it’s unbelievable!! XD And the skin? Crispy and flaky yet still tender!! It’s like a thin, delicate layer wrapping around impossibly soft chicken—every bite unforgettable.

The pasta itself has a spicy kick, the tang of tomatoes, and firm round noodles soaked in sauce—each bite is pure delight!! And somehow, the portion always feels huge!! Every time, I end up stuffed, that satisfying fullness lingering with the taste of juicy chicken XD Hahaha~

I love coming to places like this after work—just a super relaxed dinner, then a little stroll afterward!! Enjoying that carefree, laid-back dining atmosphere… Sometimes it’s not just a meal, but the perfect punctuation mark to pause and recharge after a long, busy day. Sharing with you—our go-to, beloved dinner spot!! XD

Gaomu Handmade Cuisine MealsDining Hall
Address: No. 5, Bogeudong St., West District, Taichung City
Phone: 04 2326 7789 
Website:facebook

[Enjoy Life, Don’t Get Bored. – Gui Xiaosun]、FB

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