De Chang Mutton

Review

De Chang Mutton was founded in 1944 as a small stall selling goat rice-noodle soup beside the old Gangshan market, and its website calls it the oldest goat-meat shop in Gangshan. The second-generation owner, Hsu Te-wen, expanded the menu to hot pots, roast ribs and stir-fries. After he passed away, the fourth generation, Hsu Ting-lien, came home to take over the kitchen. The shop on Liuqiao West Road appears on almost every list of Gangshan goat restaurants.

The most talked-about dish is the roast goat ribs, marinated with herbs and spices and roasted until caramelized. They are limited each day with a cap per person, and the official price is NT$330 for a small order of three. Sacha goat is wok-fried over high heat, NT$120 for a small plate. Goat rice-noodle soup is NT$70 and angelica goat soup NT$110, an easy, warming meal for one. Hot pots start at NT$360 for a small and suit groups.

Reviewers generally praise fast service, fair prices and a clean, air-conditioned room. The roast ribs and goat with bitter melon get the most compliments, and many say the taste is unchanged since childhood. Criticism focuses on the strong goat flavor of the ribs, which some tame with extra lemon or sauce, and on seasoning that can be uneven from dish to dish.

Current listings show hours of 11:00 to 21:00 with a break from about 15:00 to 16:00, closed Thursdays. The ribs often sell out early, so arrive early or call ahead. The website also notes that rib orders are booked through December 2026, so delivery orders need to be placed well in advance. The shop sells goat jerky and chili bean paste as souvenirs.

It suits diners who enjoy the flavor of goat and want stir-fries with rice, or travelers looking for Gangshan goat souvenirs. Two people can share an order of ribs, a plate of sacha or bitter-melon goat and two bowls of goat soup. If you are wary of strong goat flavor, start with the angelica goat soup.