E Mama Goose Meat & Noodles

Review

E Mama Goose Meat & Noodles sits in the Jingmei Night Market area, right across from Jingmei's Jiying Temple, and has long served goose to locals from afternoon into the evening. The Michelin Guide listed it with a Plate in both 2019 and 2020, bringing a steady flow of visitors to what was once a neighbourhood stall. Sources disagree on the address: older articles place it on Jingmei Street, while recent guides and maps show No. 129 Jinghou Street, so check before you go.

Goose is the star, served either plain-boiled or smoked. Smoked goose costs NT$28 per tael, so just say how many taels you want. The smoked version has a pronounced smoky aroma and fairly firm meat that suits people who like some chew. Rice vermicelli soup is NT$45 small or NT$60 large; the goose-bone broth is light and slightly sweet, and the noodles come piled with bean sprouts. Duck, rice blood cake and blanched greens round out the menu.

Diners often praise the smokiness, the clean, non-greasy broth, the fresh greens and well-seasoned noodles, and tables turn over quickly even on weekend nights. Complaints focus on texture, with some getting sinewy cuts that are hard to chew, and some feel the prices are not cheap for the portion. Overall, fans of smoky flavours rate it noticeably higher.

Sources disagree on opening hours; recent listings mostly show noon to 10:30 p.m., closed Mondays, so confirm before visiting. The rush runs from early evening to around 8 p.m., and mid-afternoon is easier for a seat. It is a simple night-market setup with limited seating. Parking is hard nearby; take the MRT to Jingmei Station and walk about five minutes.

First-timers can order two or three taels of smoked goose with a bowl of vermicelli soup and a plate of greens, which suits two people sharing. To compare styles, order one portion each of plain and smoked. It is ideal for anyone wanting a proper meal before browsing Jingmei Night Market, or fans of traditional Taiwanese cold-cut plates.