Chi Niu Noodles

Review

Chi Niu Noodles is tucked away at No. 28, Lane 92, Zhongshan Road in Erlin, a few steps from the market, and locals have eaten here since childhood. First-timers often assume the name, which means red ox, signals beef noodles, but this is a traditional Taiwanese noodle-soup shop with a big base of regulars built up over many years, and local food round-ups regularly list it alongside ba-wan and braised pork rice as an Erlin must.

The signature is noodle soup in a pork-bone broth that tastes clean and smooth yet has a rich, gelatinous body. A spoonful of minced pork goes on top and dried shrimp lends the soup its savoury aroma, so it has more depth than it looks. Most people add fried pork skin, which soaks up the broth and turns soft yet springy, plus a braised egg, making a well-sized brunch.

Praise focuses on the honest, drinkable broth, the fragrant minced pork and the old-fashioned pairing with pork skin; some say they came here to finish off after braised pork rice because they still wanted more. Complaints are few: the name confuses visitors, the lane location is hard to find the first time, and it closes in the afternoon, so latecomers miss out.

Online listings give hours of 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, and the articles mention no fixed day off; confirm before you go. No reliable current prices could be found, so go by the menu on the wall; it is an inexpensive local eatery. The surrounding area is market streets where car parking is a hassle, so a scooter, or parking on the outskirts and walking in, is easier.

Good for anyone who wants to try an Erlin-style breakfast and likes light noodle soup. The standard order is a bowl of soup noodles with fried pork skin and a braised egg; if you have already had ba-wan or braised pork rice nearby, get a small bowl as a second stop and close your Erlin snack tour with something hot.