Jiang Ji Jiu Ji Wonton

Review

Jiang Ji Jiu Ji sits on Xinmiao Street in Miaoli City, a wonton shop locals have eaten at since childhood. Supertaste reports it was founded in 1949 as a stall outside a Miaoli temple before moving indoors, and it is now run by the third generation; reports vary between seventy-odd and about eighty years in business. There are two floors of seating, with a gift shop next door selling frozen products.

The signature is wonton soup: thin skins wrapped around generous pork filling, in broth topped with shallots fried in black pork lard, and coverage says it sells at least two thousand bowls a day. Hand-wrapped crystal dumplings have springy skins, and meatballs, dry noodles, fried rice vermicelli and braised snacks are popular too, along with small bites such as Miaoli-style sausage. Visitors returning home often carry bags of frozen wontons and crystal dumplings.

Fans like the thin-skinned, well-filled wontons, reliable dry noodles and vermicelli, friendly prices, roomy space, quick turnover and courteous staff. Critics say the flavours are decent but not remarkable, the meatball skin is thick and rather oily, and weekend peak hours get crowded with waits for tables.

It opens daily from about 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. with no closing day reported; some sources give 10 or 10:30 a.m. as opening time, so follow the shop's notices. There is a car park, and a paid car park at a nearby hospital is within walking distance. Weekend lunchtimes are busiest, so avoiding noon makes finding a seat easier; frozen goods are sold in the gift area next door.

Good for travellers in Miaoli City wanting a quick, affordable taste of the old days, or anyone after frozen wontons to take home. Order a bowl of wonton soup with dry noodles or fried vermicelli, add crystal dumplings and a plate of braised snacks, and pick up a bag of frozen wontons on the way out to relive the flavour at home.