Longji Beef Noodles

Review

Longji Beef Noodles is on Jixiang Road in Toucheng, not far from Toucheng Station and the old street. Supertaste lists it among Toucheng's must-eat stops, FUNIT notes it has appeared on TV and that fans often queue before opening, and another round-up calls it Toucheng's most-named beef noodle shop whose three-treasure bowl often sells out.

The must-order is the beef three-treasure noodles, with tendon, tripe and shank in one bowl, each with its own texture: the shank is braised tender, the tendon is well seasoned yet keeps some bite, and the tripe is soft and chewy. The red-braised broth is simmered with onion, radish and tomato plus a Chinese herbal spice bag, and the owner adds apple and pineapple for sweetness, so it finishes clean and lightly sweet rather than overly salty. According to Supertaste, the three-treasure noodles cost NT$190 and hot and sour noodles with sliced abalone NT$90; there are also tendon noodles, tendon-and-meat noodles and abalone thick-soup noodles.

Diners most often praise the big, tender, well-flavoured chunks of meat and a broth with a faint herbal note that does not overpower, saying it is satisfying to get all three cuts at once; some also recommend the jellyfish side dish. Criticism includes a broth some find too mild compared with northern Taiwan's richer braised style, prices that are not cheap, and no pickled mustard greens or similar to change the flavour later in the bowl.

Guides say it opens at 11:10 a.m. until sold out. Sources disagree on the closing day: Supertaste and FUNIT say Sundays while the online map listing shows Tuesdays, so check before going. The three-treasure bowl is limited each day, so arrive before opening; come late and you may miss it. There is an ordering system in the shop, and a short English menu is available.

It suits beef noodle lovers willing to set out early for a good bowl, and works as lunch on a trip to Toucheng Old Street or Wai'ao beach. First-timers should go straight for the three-treasure noodles, sip the broth first to taste the fruit and vegetable sweetness, then add chili oil to taste. Two people can order one three-treasure and one abalone hot and sour bowl and share a plate of jellyfish.