E Zhuang Goose Restaurant

Review

E Zhuang sits on Section 2 of Songzhu Road in Beitun, about a four-minute walk from MRT Songzhu Station and close to the Costco North Taichung store. It specializes in farm-direct goose, with freshly cooked birds hanging at the entrance every day, and it is one of the goose restaurants most often named around Songzhu Station, with steady coverage from media and bloggers in recent years.

The main draw is the golden roast goose, limited to about 5 birds on weekdays and 10 on weekends. Reports describe golden, crackling skin, juicy meat and a natural sweetness that needs no dipping sauce. A quarter bird costs NT$490 and feeds two to three; you can choose breast or leg, and breast is suggested for first-timers. The regular sliced goose is cooked sous-vide, so the meat stays pink and moist. Goose noodles (NT$100) come in a clean, sweet broth scented with goose fat, with springy skin; the tea-braised goose egg (NT$40) is about the size of two tea eggs; bamboo shoots simmered in goose stock are crisp, and the Shenkeng spicy stinky tofu is well braised with a mild kick.

Most articles call the roast goose a must-order and praise the wide range of side dishes that go well with rice. The catch is that the goose often sells out, and one writer stresses booking ahead; NT$490 for a quarter bird is not cheap for two, so goose noodles or the NT$50 minced goose rice are thriftier picks. Another article recommends the limited crispy goose tendon and goose-fat rice.

It opens in the late afternoon on weekdays and earlier on weekends, but opening times and closing days differ between sources (one lists Mondays off), so check before you go. There is a private car park behind the shop, while street spaces fill quickly. Most seating is on the spacious second floor with round and square tables; the ground floor has fewer seats.

It suits family meals or a small group sharing: phone ahead to reserve roast goose, then add goose noodles, bamboo shoots and a tea-braised goose egg, which is just right for two or three people.