Must-try authentic traditional flavors in Yilan: Decades-old goose meat shops and rice noodle soup

Text & Photos /Little White Whale

Yilan Dongmen Night Market is located under Donggang Bridge, where the renowned old shop [Shunshun Goose Meat King Head Store] stands right by the intersection at the bridgehead. The owner grew up in a poor family, but this fueled his determination to learn cooking skills from a master. By the time he was conscripted into the military, he was already skilled enough to open his own shop.

The authentic and delicious flavors have been frequently featured in newspapers and on TV, and are also recommended by many food bloggers as a must-try in Yilan. After enjoying a hearty meal at [Shunshun Goose Meat King Head Store], just a short walk away you can savor the traditional taste of [Amao Rice Noodle Soup].

The large red-and-white signboard illuminates the bustling streets of Yilan city—frankly, it’s rare to see such a bold display from an old shop.

Daring to use a fiery red sign and call yourself the “Goose Meat King” means you must have exceptional dishes that have stood the test of time for decades.

Here, you’ll naturally want to feast on tender, flavorful goose meat, but with recent shortages and high prices, a plate of duck meat is a great alternative.

The appropriate portion of duck meat (or goose meat) is freshly chopped upon ordering based on the number of people. This plate costs 150 NT dollars—the meat is neither dry nor tough, and it suits my taste perfectly.

Besides the essential goose and duck meat, every table also orders a variety of side dishes. For example, this plate of crispy fish maw salad is full of ocean flavor.

Normally, stir-fried greens are a staple when dining out, but this time I went for something different: slightly tangy seaweed, perfect for beating the heat.

Don’t underestimate this seemingly simple bowl of soup noodles—this is a humble yet delicious dish made with the broth from cooking goose meat.

Regulars at [Shunshun Goose Meat King Head Store] always order a plate of pan-fried oyster omelet that’s crispy, fragrant, and refreshing.

The oysters may not be super large, but they’re sweet and plump. Topped with the shop’s special sauce, it’s the epitome of traditional Taiwanese flavor.

On the day I dined there, there weren’t many customers, so I didn’t encounter the out-of-order serving mentioned in online reviews. However, I did observe that [Shunshun Goose Meat King Head Store] doesn’t use order menus—you place your order directly by walking to the cooking area outside the shop and telling the staff what you want. For example, when the staff brought out plates of oyster omelets from the cooking area, they would call out “Oyster omelet,” and the customers who raised their hands first or were closest to the entrance would get theirs. During busy holidays, this can understandably be a bit frustrating for customers.

Near Shunshun Goose Meat King, you’ll also find other delicious options like Jingde Fried Noodles, Nantang Dumpling Restaurant, and [Amao Rice Noodle Soup].

[Amao Rice Noodle Soup] has been serving its fragrant dishes since 1952—over sixty years. Amao has retired, and the business is now continued by relatives.

Thick rice noodles swim together with fish cake, shrimp, and wood ear mushrooms in a rich pork bone and dried bonito broth—this is the quintessential Yilan-style rice noodle soup.

Normally, I don’t add black vinegar to my noodles, but when eating rice noodle soup or meatball soup, I definitely pour it on generously—it’s the only way to truly enhance the flavor.

So far, my personal favorite rice noodle soup is No. 1: Miaokou Rice Noodle Soup in Su’ao, and No. 2: Xiangchu Rice Noodle Soup in Luodong. If you, like Little White Whale, love trying rice noodle soup in Yilan, why not find your own No. 1?

[Shunshun Goose Meat King Head Store]
Address: No. 1 Xiaodong Road, Yilan City (with a dedicated restaurant parking lot nearby)
Business Hours: 11:00 AM – 2:00 AM
Phone: 03-9333280

[Amao Rice Noodle Soup]
Address: No. 95 Shenghou Street, Yilan City
Business Hours: 7:00 AM – 9:00 PM (Closed on Tuesdays)
Phone: 03-9314510

Little White Whale — loves sharing, photography, and travel
Learning photography with joy allows me to see the world from different perspectives; savoring delicious food with happiness lets me enjoy the world through ordinary moments of bliss.

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