Tao Zhi Xiang (Sister Li's)

Review

Tao Zhi Xiang (Sister Li's) started as a roadside stall more than twenty years ago and now has three locations; this one on Xiangshang Road Section 1 in West District, near Xiangshang Market, spans three storefronts. After joining the Michelin Bib Gourmand list in 2021 it became hugely popular and is often called a budget Din Tai Fung. The menu focuses on northern Chinese noodles and dim sum, from soup dumplings, rolled pancakes and pot cakes to Fuzhou dry noodles, fried rice and stir-fries; most items cost around NT$100, with no 10% service charge.

The signature xiaolong soup dumplings are NT$100 for 8, steamed to order and served piping hot, with thin skins, lots of broth and a tender, naturally sweet pork filling; bite a small hole to let the steam out, sip the broth, then dip in ginger and soy sauce. The beef noodle soup (NT$120) is a large bowl with five or six pieces of tender braised beef in a light red-braised broth and chewy thin noodles; many people drop dumplings into it for a richer soup. The pork rolled pancake (NT$90, cut into 8) is crisp, not greasy, with sweet bean sauce and plenty of cucumber; the beef version is about NT$100. Side dishes are priced differently in different reports, roughly NT$35–50.

Most reviews praise the dumplings' value and the fast service, plus self-serve ginger, chili and black vinegar on each table. Some find the beef noodles more tendon than meat and the fried tofu puffs plain, a matter of taste; it gets noisy at peak hours and seating is not roomy.

It is open daily 11:00–21:00, but there is a queue at nearly all meal times and all day on weekends. For dine-in, take a number and menu from staff, order and pay at the counter when called, then wait for the food; phone reservations, takeout and delivery are also options. A paid multi-story car park is nearby for drivers.

It suits anyone wanting to eat well for NT$100–200 with juicy soup dumplings, and works for families with kids and small groups. Two people can share a basket of dumplings, a bowl of beef noodles and a pork roll plus one or two sides; to avoid crowds, go on a weekday afternoon outside meal times.