Damiaokou Meinong Kway Teow & Oyster Vermicelli

Review

Damiaokou Meinong Kway Teow & Oyster Vermicelli sits at No. 206 Zhongzheng Road, a few steps from Jingfu Temple, and is one of the breakfast-and-lunch stalls most often named around the temple. Both Smile Taiwan and yam's temple food roundup list it as a must-eat, and it has gathered more than two thousand reviews online, a sign of its local following.

Each of the two dishes in its name has fans. The Meinong flat rice noodles are springy and chewy in a broth that is clean yet rich, while the oyster vermicelli is loaded with pork intestine and fresh oysters, and diners suggest a splash of black vinegar for an old-school taste. The most praised side is smoked shark, moist with a smoky note that is not harsh, and tempura fish cake is another common add-on. One bowl plus one side makes a meal.

Fans like the smooth broth, generous vermicelli and friendly prices, ideal after a temple visit, and some order the old-style cut noodles and find them authentic. Complaints mostly concern the stall-style setting with limited seating, waits at lunchtime, and early closing, so arriving late in the afternoon can mean missing out.

Google and media listings show hours of roughly 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., closed Wednesdays; check before you go. Takeaway usually involves a queue of about ten minutes, and dine-in fills up at peak times, so avoiding the hour around noon is more relaxed. The street in front is one-way, so drivers should park a little farther away, or simply walk from Taoyuan Station. None of the sources list exact prices, so go by the menu board on site.

It suits early risers looking for breakfast or anyone around Jingfu Temple wanting a hot bowl. First-timers can have one person order the rice noodles and another the oyster vermicelli to share, plus a plate of smoked shark; offal lovers can add intestine. Choose the rice noodles for something lighter, the vermicelli for a thicker texture, and finish with a little black vinegar.