Shulin Da Zhong Steak

Review

Shulin Da Zhong Steak is on Bo'ai Street in Shulin Night Market, not far from Shulin Station, and has been serving night market steaks for about thirty years. Supertaste's TV programme and Shulin food roundups have featured it, and when locals talk about Shulin Night Market they often put this queue-worthy steak shop on their must-eat list alongside the snacks. It is full almost every evening.

The signature is the torched cheese series: a steak or pork chop topped with cheese and blowtorched, served with hot-plate noodles and an egg, wonderfully aromatic. A single steak or pork chop is NT$200 and a mixed double is NT$300, with free extra soup and noodles. Dine-in also includes unlimited toast, drinks, corn soup and ice cream, which is great value for big eaters.

Praise centres on low prices, big portions and rich cheesy steaks; many call it their favourite cheese steak, and the all-you-can-eat extras earn bonus points. Complaints often mention very long waits, with some waiting nearly an hour for a seat; others found the steak tough or partly overcooked, the marinade so strong it masks the meat, and the space cramped.

Hours are roughly 5 pm to 1 am, closed Mondays, and Sundays may close earlier, so check before going. There is often a queue before opening and dine-in requires a numbered ticket, so grab a number first, wander the night market, and come back in time for your seat. Torched cheese steak and pork chop are NT$200 each and the double is NT$300, about NT$200 to 300 per person. Parking around the night market is difficult, so walking from Shulin Station is easier.

It suits students and families on a budget who want a filling steak dinner, and anyone needing a proper meal while exploring Shulin Night Market. First-timers can order the torched cheese steak, or the double to try both; remember to add a free serving of hot-plate noodles and finish with toast, soup and ice cream. If you hate waiting, avoid the peak around 7 pm.