Luzhou Temple Front Cut Noodles

Review

Luzhou Temple Front Cut Noodles sits at No. 6 Desheng Street in Luzhou, right next to the busy Yonglian Temple; the name simply means in front of the big temple. Founded in 1931, it is still run by the same family, though sources differ on whether the current owners are the fourth or fifth generation. Luzhou is known as the home of cut noodles, and this shop is one of the old names Supertaste and other media regularly list.

The signature cut noodles come in a milky broth simmered from pork bones, sweet and rich without being greasy, with soft yet springy yellow noodles that some liken to pudding. Rice vermicelli and flat rice noodles are also available, and a bowl of minced pork rice is a common add-on. The blanched sides are the other draw: crunchy, silky pork uterus, springy large intestine with no off smell, plus pork belly, pork cheek, heart, smoked shark and dozens more, all better with the house spicy bean sauce.

Diners like that it keeps to traditional methods, with a rich broth and cleanly prepared offal, and say eating noodles by the temple feels like old Luzhou. Critics find the flavours plain, think waiting half an hour at peak times is not worth it, and note that the sides add up and are not especially cheap.

Online articles list cut noodles, vermicelli and flat noodles at about NT$40, minced pork rice at NT$25, pork uterus and large intestine at NT$60 each, and other sides at roughly NT$30 to NT$60. Hours are about 06:00 to 15:30; media say it opens daily, but map data shows Sundays closed, so sources differ and you should check before going. The room is long, narrow and plain, and you may share a table at peak times. Parking near the temple is hard, so ride a scooter or take the MRT to Luzhou Station and walk.

It suits anyone after a traditional Taiwanese brunch, or a bite after visiting Yonglian Temple. Order a bowl of cut noodles or vermicelli soup and pick two or three sides, such as pork uterus, pork belly and cheek, dipped in the spicy bean sauce; groups can share a minced pork rice. To avoid the crowds, come right at opening in the morning.