Jingwu Road Nameless Shaobing Shop

Review

Jingwu Road Nameless Shaobing Shop is at No. 254 Jingwu Road in Taichung's North District; its fan page is called Jingwu Road Shaobing Youtiao, and a big red banner out front is visible from afar. The original team later opened a breakfast shop in Beitun, and the new owner here carries on the same recipes. Because the two shops share roots they are often compared, and one writer finds each has its own strengths and both are good. People start queuing before 6am at this long-standing Chinese-style breakfast shop in the North District.

The signature sesame flatbread with fried cruller is made and baked fresh each day, and the way to eat it is with scallions, pickled mustard greens and chili all added, at no extra charge; ask in advance if you want lots of scallions. The flatbread and cruller are on the soft side rather than shatteringly crisp, but the filling is packed with scallions and pickles, savoury and very filling, and you can add a pork chop or a fried egg. Savoury soy milk with egg is about NT$50, the egg left whole like a flower floating on the soy milk, with dried radish, scallions, pickled greens and cruller pieces; the dried radish is salty, and chili adds depth. The basil egg crepe is about NT$55, fried until crisp and charred at the edges, and the shop can add pickles on request. For soy milk black tea, the soy milk is unsweetened and the tea sweetened, with adjustable sweetness.

Diners and media mostly praise the generous fillings and fair prices, and one writer ranks its savoury soy milk among the best they have had. Other views exist: fans of crisp flatbread may find it too soft, and the savoury soy milk leans salty overall, suiting those who like bold flavours. On price, one article lists a half set of flatbread and cruller at NT$40, while a media report gives about NT$45 for a full set with a whole cruller; the menu may change, so go by what is posted in the shop.

Hours are 05:45 to 10:30, closed on Thursdays. The shop is small, with only about ten dine-in seats, and the prep area is right at the front so you can watch the cooks while you wait. Food comes out quickly, but at peak times you may wait for a seat or share a table. You can order by phone or LINE the day before and pick up, skipping the queue.

It suits early risers who like hearty Chinese breakfasts, and anyone wanting a quick takeaway before work or school. First-timers should get the flatbread and cruller with scallions, pickles and chili all in, plus a savoury soy milk with egg; bigger appetites can add a pork chop or egg, or switch to the basil egg crepe. It closes at 10:30, so do not sleep in.