For some reason, Taiwan is famous for beef noodles. 8 beef noodle restaurants made it into the Michelin Guide Taipei 2018 Bib Gourmand Selection.
Out of the 8 beef noodle restaurants, Yong-Kang Beef Noodle is probably the most famous, having appeared in various Taiwanese variety shows.
I have been to Taipei quite a number of times yet I have not tried Taiwan’s iconic beef noodles. I decided to make a trip to Yong-Kang Beef Noodle to try for myself if it is worth all the hype.
Yong-Kang Beef Noodle is around 10-minutes walk from the nearest Dongmen station. You will be able to see the long queue as you turn the corner.
Yong-Kang Beef Noodle was established in 1963, which means it has over 50 years of history.
There are only 9 items in the menu, there are 6 noodle dishes and 3 side dishes.
There are tables on both the first and second floor, so the turnover rate is pretty quick.
I was a little surprised to find Spicy Dumpling 紅油抄手 [NTD$120] in a Taiwanese restaurant since it is a Sichuan speciality snack. I am no expert on Sichuan food, all I can say is that the dumplings are plump and the chilli oil does not taste as spicy as it looks.
There is also Steamed Hog Spareribs 粉蒸排骨 [NTD$120], Steamed Hog Large Intestines 粉蒸肥肠 [NTD$120] and Side Dishes 各式小菜 [NTD$40/60].
Half Cattle Tendon and Half Beef Noodles 紅燒半筋半肉麵 [NTD$240 for Regular, NTD$270 for Large] is the signature and also most popular dish at Yong-Kang Beef Noodle. The noodles are not as springy as I would have liked, but the beef tender and beef are to-die-for. They are very generous with the ingredients, there are at least 5-6 huge chunks of beef and beef tendon in one bowl. The beef and beef tendon are cooked for long hours which resulted in melt-in-your-mouth tender beef and beef tendon. The broth is slightly spicy, but it should be manageable for most people. There is also Cattle Tendon Noodles with Soybean Sauce 紅燒牛筋麵 [NTD$260 for Regular, NTD$290 for Large] for those who only want beef tendon.
If you don’t like beef tendon, you can always order Beef Noodles with Soybean Sauce and Spicy 紅燒牛肉麵 [NTD$220 for Regular, NTD$250 for Large].
There is also To Stews Beef Noodles 清燉牛肉麵 [NTD$220 for Regular, NTD$250 for Large], Dandan Noodles 擔擔麵 [NTD$100 for Regular, NTD$120 for Large] and Noodles with Pork Fried Beans Sauce 雜醬麵 [NTD$120 for Regular, NTD$150 for Large].
Even though you may have to wait a little in the hot sun, but this Michelin Bib Gourmand beef noodles is definitely worth a visit. Yong-Kang Beef Noodle only accepts cash, so make sure you bring enough cash with you.
Yong-Kang Beef Noodle
Address: No. 17, Lane 31, Section 2, Jinan South Road; Da’an District, Taipei City, Taiwan 106
Telephone: +886 2-23511051
Opening Hours: Daily 11am – 3.30pm, 4.30pm – 9pm”