Lao Di Fang Soup Dumplings

Review

Lao Di Fang Soup Dumplings sits at No. 21, Section 2, Danjin Road in Sanzhi, right next to the Sanzhi post office, and is a well-known dumpling shop on the North Coast. Its online review count ranks near the top among Sanzhi restaurants, and Sanzhi food roundups list it as a must-eat, noting that it often has a queue even on weekdays; many people stop here on the way between Tamsui and the North Coast.

The signature is the pork soup dumpling, eight to a basket, alongside shrimp soup dumplings at six to a basket and Chaozhou-style and steamed meatballs. Food writers describe the dumplings as full of sweet broth with a plump filling. The other must-order is the mixed soup at NT$60, in which tofu skin is wrapped around a meat filling, a natural match for the dumplings. There are also radish soup, fried tofu soup and many side dishes; a review on ifoodie notes side dishes at NT$40 a plate, so overall prices are friendly.

Fans praise the juicy dumplings and fair prices, saying you get handmade dumplings without spending much, and the mixed soup is heavily recommended. Critics find the dining room ordinary and service rushed when staff are busy at peak times; some prefer the pork version, feeling that the chives in the shrimp dumplings overpower the shrimp.

Hours are about 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., closed every Monday and Tuesday. It is cash only. Weekends and holidays are the busiest, so an afternoon visit outside mealtimes means less waiting. There is no private car park, but diners say roadside parking nearby is not too hard to find and only a short walk away.

Good for anyone who wants an inexpensive dumpling meal on a North Coast drive, and for families with children. Two people can share a basket of pork dumplings and a basket of shrimp dumplings, plus a mixed soup and a side dish or two; if you avoid chives, focus on the pork dumplings. Around NT$100-something per person is enough to eat well.