Sun Family Squid Rice Noodles

Review

Sun Family Squid Rice Noodles is on Anping Road, a few minutes' walk from Anping Old Fort, and has built a strong reputation around Anping Old Street in recent years. The shop is small and focuses on one dish, baby squid rice noodles, with blanched squid also sold on its own. Travel round-ups and diners often name it as the go-to snack after visiting the fort.

A bowl of squid rice noodles costs NT$120. The squid is cleaned and cut in advance and tastes fresh and springy, the thick rice noodles are smooth with some chew, and the light, sweet broth carries a clear note of pepper. The table holds wasabi, soy sauce, pepper and a five-flavor sauce with a ginger kick that goes especially well with the squid; tell the staff in advance if you do not want celery or pepper. Overall the seasoning is light, a nice change after fried snacks.

Diners widely praise the perfectly cooked squid, the clean, warming broth and the friendly owner couple, and an English menu makes ordering easy for foreign visitors. Complaints are few, mainly that a bowl is on the small side and not exactly cheap for a snack, and some remind others to save room after eating along the old street.

Hours run roughly from 10:30 a.m. to about 6 p.m., closing a little later on weekends. Closing days differ between sources, with some saying Wednesdays and others Tuesdays and Wednesdays, so check before going. Seating is limited and parking nearby is hard, so walking or riding a scooter is best.

It suits anyone strolling around Anping Old Fort and Old Street who wants a light hot soup, and travelers who prefer something not oily. One bowl per person makes a good snack, and big eaters can add a plate of blanched squid; be sure to try the five-flavor sauce, and add wasabi if you like a sharper kick.