Luodong Diye Temple Dozing Noodles

Review

Luodong Diye Temple Dozing Noodles is on Section 3 of Zhongshan Road in Luodong, near Dian'an Temple, locally called Diye Temple. UpToGo says it was founded in 1958 and is now run by the second generation. It began in a low bungalow beside the temple selling shaved ice and eight-treasure porridge before switching to dry noodles and hot soups. It had no proper name, and because customers waited so long, a TV host joked that people queued until they nodded off; the Taiwanese word for dozing became its name.

The menu is very short. The signature dry noodles come in a big, springy portion tossed with lard and fried shallots, and the most traditional way is to add black vinegar and chili sauce, though one food writer recommends sweet chili sauce. Soups include handmade all-pork wontons, Fuzhou fish balls with a meat filling, or a mixed bowl of both, in a light pork-bone broth that does not overpower. You can also take away raw noodles, raw wontons, raw fish balls and the house chili sauce.

Diners most often say the noodles look plain but taste fragrant and chewy, and the wontons, with soft wrappers and tender filling, are good enough to buy raw and cook at home; others note the fast service means queues move quickly. Criticism is that the flavour is light, not for lovers of bold tastes, and that several shops selling similar noodles stand within a hundred metres of the temple, so first-timers should check the sign.

According to its online map listing, it opens from about 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; sources disagree on the closing day, some saying Tuesday and others Sunday, so check the shop's page before going. Cash, LINE Pay and Taiwan Pay are accepted. Do not stop in front of the temple; park at the paid lot by Luodong Zhongshan Park or around the night market and walk three to five minutes. Weekends and mealtimes are busy and seating is limited.

It suits fans of old-fashioned flavours who want a simple, clean meal, and it is handy before or after Luodong Night Market. First-timers should order dry noodles with the mixed soup to try both wontons and fish balls. Toss the noodles first, then add a little black vinegar and chili sauce, and take home a box of raw wontons if you like them.