A-Hua Goose

Review

A-Hua Goose spent about thirty years as a stall in Wenxin Market, selling takeout only and building its name through word of mouth among regulars. It later moved into a storefront on Sec. 2, Liming Road in Nantun, near Wuquan West Road, hung up a prominent double signboard and added dine-in seating. The new shop is close to Wanhe Temple and Wenxin Forest Park, diagonally across from a PX Mart.

The signatures are smoked goose and tea-smoked goose, sliced to order. A whole goose platter is NT$1,400, a half NT$700 and a quarter NT$350; with the quarter you can pick the front or back section, the back being leg meat. Reviews describe springy, non-greasy skin and tender, juicy meat with no gamey smell, served with shredded ginger and house sauces; the tea-smoked goose has a glossy skin, a tea-smoke aroma and a faint sweetness. Goose-oil scallion noodles are NT$30, bouncy and fragrant with fried shallots; goose hearts are NT$10 each and wings NT$30; the handmade pork ball soup is NT$40, with springy, meaty balls. Goose broth refills are free, a highlight many people point out.

Praise centers on the tender goose, the texture of the skin, the made-to-order slicing and the range of dipping sauces. Bloggers also flag drawbacks: the back section of the tea-smoked goose has small bone fragments, so eat carefully; the goose-oil noodles are a small portion, and big eaters may want two bowls; some find the pork ball soup meaty, others think the broth is salty. The rice for the goose-gravy rice is on the firm side and only softens once mixed with gravy.

It stays open until a little after 9 p.m. Goose hearts are limited and often sell out in the afternoon, and many items run out after 8 p.m., so come early or call ahead to reserve if you want the full menu. You tick your choices on an order sheet at the table, then order and pay at the side counter, where pre-sliced goose platters are also sold for takeout. The interior is bright and clean with strong air conditioning and a water dispenser. There are paid parking lots nearby, and the PX Mart lot across the street is another option.

Good for families and office workers who want a solid goose meal in Nantun. Two or three people can share a quarter goose — choose the back if you like leg meat — with a bowl of goose-oil noodles each, a few goose hearts and a pork ball soup.