A-Hua Fried Noodles

Review

A-Hua Fried Noodles is on Ai 4th Road beside Keelung's Miaokou and is widely recognised by locals as the go-to late-night spot. It opens at 10 a.m. and keeps going until 6 a.m. the next morning, drawing night-shift workers and visitors fresh from the night market. Supertaste and other media have listed it repeatedly as a Keelung must-eat, and dinner and late-night hours often bring a line outside.

The menu is short, with about four fried noodle dishes and two soups. The signature assorted curry fried noodles are stir-fried over high heat with shrimp, pork liver, pork slices, fish cake and onion, the thick curry sauce coating every strand with wok aroma. Some compare it to Japanese curry with the charred edge of Taiwanese stir-fry. You can pick yellow noodles, udon or rice vermicelli. According to Supertaste, the assorted curry fried noodles cost NT$85, and with a bowl of soup it makes a complete meal.

Praise centres on the rich curry, noodles served piping hot with strong wok aroma, and friendly prices, along with nimble staff who seat people quickly. Complaints mention waits of over half an hour at dinner peaks, some feeling the queue built up expectations the food didn't meet, and a heavy flavour that leaves you thirsty.

Hours are roughly 10 a.m. to 6 a.m. the next day, closed Mondays; some sources say it also closes on Sundays, so sources differ and you should check before you go. Afternoons are quieter if you want to avoid crowds. It's right beside Miaokou Night Market, so you can combine it with other stalls; parking nearby is hard, so take the train or bus.

It suits night owls craving a late meal, fans of curry and stir-fry flavours, and Miaokou visitors who are still hungry. First-timers should try the assorted curry fried noodles with yellow noodles; switch to rice vermicelli for something lighter, and add a soup to balance the rich flavour.