Gu Zao Cuo Stinky Tofu

Review

Gu Zao Cuo Stinky Tofu is at No. 140 Shenkeng Street, in a red-brick building near the big tree at the front entrance of the old street. Shenkeng is famous for tofu dishes and the old street is lined with stinky tofu shops; Gu Zao Cuo is among those with the most online reviews, and a blogger's 2026 roundup of Shenkeng food puts it near the top, describing it as one of the street's most popular restaurants.

The must-order is mala duck blood with stinky tofu, served bubbling in a small pot, properly numbing and spicy, with a broth that is great over rice; there is also a version with pork intestine. Steamed stinky tofu comes dressed in sauce with minced pork and edamame and is delicate, while the deep-fried version is golden and crisp outside, soft inside. For a fuller meal, add white-cut golden capon, thin-skinned, not greasy and tender, though pricier; soups such as clam and luffa are also available.

Fans praise the fragrant mala pot, the crisp-yet-soft fried tofu, fast service and friendly staff, and overseas visitors love the retro look of red brick, wooden beams and old movie posters. Critics say the mala pot is too hot for companions who avoid spice, the intestines are chewy, and it is a popular spot rather than a revelation. Some find the air conditioning too cold, while others still sweat through the spicy dishes, so experiences vary.

Hours are roughly 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.; a blogger lists 10 a.m. opening, so sources differ slightly and it is worth checking before you go. Online information shows no fixed closing day. Dishes range from about NT$100 to NT$450, with a quarter chicken alone costing several hundred, so two or three people sharing spend roughly NT$200 to NT$300 each. Even weekday lunches can be full, so avoid noon. Drivers can use the Shenkeng public underground car park, under ten minutes' walk away; the restaurant has air conditioning and restrooms.

Ideal for anyone who wants a proper sit-down Shenkeng tofu meal rather than just snacking on the move, and a good choice with older relatives or overseas friends. Two people can share a mala duck blood stinky tofu pot and a steamed or fried stinky tofu with rice; spice-shy diners should ask for mild or choose the steamed dish, and larger groups can add half a capon.