Tsai Chia Beef Noodles

Review

Tsai Chia Beef Noodles is hidden in a residential alley off Section 3 of Xiulang Road in Zhonghe. A husband-and-wife team runs the small, low-key shop. It made the Bib Gourmand list when MICHELIN first covered New Taipei in 2025 and remains in the 2026 edition, with MICHELIN noting that it is worth queuing for. Many diners consider it one of the best beef noodle shops outside Taipei City.

Two broths are served. The clear broth is simmered from beef bones for a full day, golden and fresh-smelling, with thick-cut Taiwanese beef brisket and chewy noodles. The red-braised broth uses Australian beef shank stewed until very tender, with soy sauce and cumin-like spice notes, a deep red color and rich layers. Noodles are handmade daily, and there are self-serve sides such as tofu skin and braised peanuts. Some diners order the clear broth with red-braised beef to try both at once.

Praise centers on layered broths, handmade noodles with good bite and both styles being well above average; some especially love the spices in the red-braised version. Complaints are mainly about long waits: one diner arrived 90 minutes early to make the first seating. Others found the beef in the clear version bland and below expectations, saying the queue was not worth it.

MICHELIN lists lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and dinner from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. (to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday), but the shop closes irregularly and the hours shown on Google change often, so always check its Facebook page before going. Cash only. There are about 12 seats, small tables plus a counter; to make the first seating, join the line 45 minutes to an hour before opening. The alley is narrow and parking is hard, and there is a convenience store across the street for drinks while you wait.

It suits beef noodle fans willing to queue for a great bowl. On a first visit, order one clear and one red-braised to share, or the clear broth with red-braised beef; help yourself to sides, taking only what you will eat. If you hate queues, go on a weekday, avoid weekend lunch and confirm the shop is open that day.