Ay-Chung Flour-Rice Noodle

Review

Ay-Chung Flour-Rice Noodle is a long-standing name on Emei Street in Ximending. Reports say it began as a street cart in 1975 before settling at No. 8-1 Emei Street. The second generation once expanded into mainland China, but the focus returned to the Ximending flagship. For decades it has been a fixture on visitors' must-eat lists, with a crowd always standing and eating outside the door.

The shop sells just one thing: intestine vermicelli. The broth is thickened and, as one travel site puts it, rich and full-bodied; the intestines are deeply savory, and the noodles are finer than ordinary thin noodles and silky, eaten with a spoon along with the broth. Cilantro goes in the bowl, and chili and other condiments are on hand to add yourself. On price, two 2026 reports list large/small at NT$80/65 and NT$85/70 respectively, so sources differ; check before you go.

Praise centers on the rich broth, flavorful intestines and extremely fast service; despite the long line, you usually get your bowl within five to ten minutes. Some locals see it as tourist-oriented and prefer neighborhood noodle shops in the back lanes, and common complaints include small portions in the small bowl, no seating and the discomfort of eating hot noodles on the street in summer.

Hours are roughly 07:30–22:30 daily, until 23:00 on Fridays and Saturdays, with no fixed day off; closing times vary slightly between sources, so check if you are going late. Everything is takeaway or eaten standing at the door, with just a few priority seats. It is a two- to three-minute walk from Ximen MRT Station Exit 6, and the Emei multi-story car park is nearby. The broth gets on your hands easily, so bring tissues.

It suits first-timers in Ximending who want a quick taste of an iconic Taipei snack, or shoppers who need something to tide them over. If you plan to keep eating, a small bowl is enough, or two people can share a large one; say no cilantro when ordering if you prefer. A spoon of chili oil adds depth to the broth, and then you can carry on exploring Ximending.