Lin Family Bean Sprout Noodles

Review

Lin Family Bean Sprout Noodles is tucked into an alley off Zhongzheng Road in Liujia. It began in the time of the owner's grandfather and is now run by the third-generation Lin sisters. It had no name for years and only took its current one when it needed to register. Reports put its age at over 60 years or possibly close to 100, so sources differ.

The menu is simple, and the star is bean sprout noodles. The noodles are made fresh every day and not chilled, so they are springy and smooth. They are topped with a handful of crisp bean sprouts and house soy sauce that is garlicky without being too salty. A small bowl is NT$25, large NT$30 and extra large NT$35, each with a bowl of miso soup. There is also a NT$30 thick soup; a recent report describes it as fish soup made mainly with milkfish balls and seasoned with ginger, while an older report called it pork thick soup.

Reviewers generally find the flavor simple but satisfying, nicely seasoned and not greasy. The free miso soup is light and warming, and prices are very low. Drawbacks are mostly about access and timing: the shop is in a narrow alley with little parking for cars, and with short hours even the sprouts can run out if you come late. Some also find it mild, so fans of strong flavors may want to add more sauce.

Hours are roughly 5 am to 11:50 am, but it often sells out earlier, so aim to arrive before 9 am. The alley is narrow, so a scooter is easiest; drivers should park outside the alley and walk in. The shop is old but kept very clean, and the dining room is quiet. The family also supplies its noodles to other shops, so you can ask about buying some to take home.

It suits people who love old-style breakfasts and do not mind an early start, and travelers visiting the Heng'an Temple area in Liujia. Order a large bowl with the fish soup, or a small bowl if you have a light appetite. Afterward, walk to the nearby Matsu temple and old ice shop for a short morning tour of Liujia.