Yamuliao Market Charcoal Noodles

Review

Yamuliao Charcoal Noodles is tucked inside Yamuliao Market on Chenggong Road in North District. It has no official name, so people simply call it the charcoal noodle stall. Mirror Media describes it as a market stall with a legendary, slightly mysterious reputation, and when Supertaste rounded up food at Tainan's five main markets it named this unnamed old stall a must-eat at Yamuliao.

The stall sits in a semi-outdoor part of the market and cooks noodles over charcoal stoves. The broth is rich and savoury and the noodles are cooked with bite. The special trick is to buy pork liver or sliced meat in the market first and hand it to the cook to blanch for free, then eat it with the noodles. Diners say the toppings are real ingredients rather than off-the-shelf products, and the stall's black tea is not very sweet, which suits those without a sweet tooth.

Fans praise the flavourful noodles and broth and the friendly staff, with some calling it among the best noodles they have had in Tainan. Complaints focus on the setting: the eating area looks like an unfinished construction site with basic tables and stools, which not everyone accepts. Some diners also find it merely average, so opinions are split; those who like it love it.

Yamuliao Market opens at dawn, and online information shows the stall running roughly from 6:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The market itself closes on Mondays, but sources differ on whether the stall closes too, so check before you go. Parking around the market is hard and a scooter is easiest; for market stalls like this it is wise to bring cash and small change.

Good for anyone who enjoys traditional market atmosphere and does not mind rough surroundings, or as a brunch stop while exploring Yamuliao. First-timers can buy some pork liver or meat in the market for the cook to blanch, then order a bowl of noodles with black tea, and afterwards browse the market's bowl rice cake, four-herb soup and pudding stalls.