Linchang Meat Thick Soup

Review

Linchang Meat Thick Soup sits directly opposite Luodong Forestry Culture Park. Mirror Media reported that it was founded in 1967 and has only this one shop in all of Taiwan, with no branches; Luodong locals have eaten here since childhood. GoFun and travel sites also list it as a must-have lunch in Luodong. After more than half a century in business, it still draws long queues on weekends, with customers filling the arcade seating.

The signature soup features black pork coated in sweet potato starch, chewy yet silky, in a garlicky broth with shredded bamboo shoots. Black vinegar, chilli sauce and pepper sit on each table for seasoning. You can order the soup alone or add egg noodles, rice noodles, flat rice noodles or rice. Mirror Media's 2020 report gave a flat NT$45 a bowl, recent travel articles say about NT$55, and diners mention around NT$60, so check prices on site. Compared with the garlic meat soups of Yilan City, the flavour here leans a little sweeter.

Fans praise the solid chunks of meat, sensible portions and friendly prices, and say it is handy after visiting the forestry park, especially with a splash of black vinegar. Complaints include no air conditioning and a basic canteen feel, plus the need to find your own seat and carry your bowl at peak times. Some foreign visitors say staff say little, the Chinese-only menu can be tricky, and portions are small for big eaters.

It opens roughly 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and is closed Wednesdays; check before you go. You queue to order and collect the food yourself, so when it is busy one person can queue while another grabs a table. Takeaway is available. Visitors to the forestry park can leave their car near the park and simply cross the road.

It suits anyone after a classic Yilan meat soup on a budget, and works as brunch or a snack before or after the forestry park. First-timers should try the meat soup with rice noodles or egg noodles and add black vinegar and chilli to taste; big appetites may want two bowls or a side of rice.