Madou Mackerel Thick Soup

Review

Madou Mackerel Thick Soup is on Zhongzheng Road beside Madou's public retail market. There is no prominent sign out front, yet it is a regular stop for locals doing their morning market run. Several guides list it alongside the market's rice pudding and sticky rice shops, describing it as an old stall with big pieces of fish and a fresh, flavorful broth.

The star is mackerel fried to order. A new batch is coated and fried only after the last one sells, giving a thin, crisp, slightly sweet crust and tender fish with no fishy smell. You can eat the pieces as a snack or drop them into the cabbage thick soup for a mix of crisp and soft. A bowl of mackerel soup with rice noodles is NT$60, with most items around NT$60–80; noodles and fried fish on its own are also available.

Praise centers on the large pieces, delicate flesh and smooth, slightly sweet broth, and a dash of black vinegar or chili adds depth. The drawback is waiting: takeaway usually has a line of at least four or five people. Ingredients are not kept overnight and the stall closes when sold out, so arriving late may mean missing out. Some also find the broth on the sweet side.

Sources disagree on hours and closing days. Some say 6 am to 1 pm and closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays, while recent information shows opening after 7 am, closing at 12:30 pm and closing Wednesdays and Thursdays, so check before going. Unplanned closures are posted on a sign at the entrance. For dine-in you usually take a number and find a seat, order when called and pay after eating. Park around the market and walk over.

It suits early risers exploring Madou Market for a local breakfast and travelers who love fried fish. Order the mackerel soup with rice noodles and an extra plate of fried fish to eat while it is crisp. It pairs well with a nearby rice pudding shop for a breakfast crawl; arriving before 10 am is safest.