Gang Yuan Beef Noodles

Review

Gang Yuan Beef Noodles sits at No. 55 Dacheng Street in Yancheng, near Pier-2 and the harbourfront, and is one of the noodle shops visitors most often put on their Kaohsiung lists. Supertaste notes there are three branches in the city and that this Dacheng Street shop is the busiest; it has piled up a huge number of online reviews, and crowds gather at the door at mealtimes.

Despite the name, the most recommended way to eat here is dry-tossed. The slightly thick, chewy noodles carry a heavy, clinging sauce in every bite, the beef is braised until falling-apart soft, and raw onion on the side keeps it fresh. Regulars rate the pork knuckle dry noodles even higher: a big portion of knuckle with springy, collagen-rich skin alongside sauce-soaked noodles. Side dishes such as pig's ear and braised items are self-serve from the fridge.

Praise focuses on tender beef, rich sauce and generous pork knuckle, and many travellers call it their favourite meal in Kaohsiung. Complaints are mostly about the process: you tick your own order sheet, queue to order and then wait to be seated, water costs extra, and seating downstairs is limited so most people eat upstairs; some also found food slowed down when delivery orders piled up.

Online listings give hours of about 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., but Supertaste warns it often sells out before 7 p.m. on weekday evenings, so come early for dinner. Pork knuckle dry noodles cost NT$140; check other prices on site. Cash only. Grab an order sheet at the counter, mark it yourself, pay downstairs, help yourself to sides from the fridge, and wait for staff to seat you rather than picking a table. Parking nearby is hard; take the light rail to the Pier-2 area and walk.

Great for fans of bold, saucy noodles who do not mind a no-frills room, or for a filling meal after exploring Pier-2. First-timers in pairs can order one beef dry noodle and one pork knuckle dry noodle and swap; bring cash and add raw onion to cut the richness. To dodge the queue, aim for a weekday mid-afternoon.