Ye Family Squid Rice Noodles

Review

Ye Family Squid Rice Noodles, at No. 142, Section 2, Guohua Street in West Central District, is one of Tainan's signature squid noodle shops, recommended as a MICHELIN Bib Gourmand and still on the 2025 Tainan list. It closed for a while and reopened on 3 May 2023 with a longer menu and prices up by NT$20, and the news sent plenty of fans heading south.

The broth comes from the liquid used to poach the squid and cuttlefish, so it tastes clean, sweet and distinctly of the sea. The squid is cut into large pieces with a crisp, springy bite, and diners note it is kept on ice so it never turns mushy. The noodles are thick brown-rice vermicelli with a rice aroma and a pleasant chew. There is also squid roe, an unusual texture that seafood lovers often add.

Praise focuses on fresh squid, honest portions and piping-hot, easy-drinking broth, along with friendly service. Critics find the broth on the sweet side and less special than expected, and mention long waits and few seats; Chiu's squid noodles on the same street is a frequent comparison, and preferences vary.

According to map listings it opens 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday to Friday and until 2 p.m. at weekends, closed Mondays and Tuesdays, while one report says weekdays run until 4 p.m., so sources differ and you should check first; it closes early once sold out. There's a minimum of one bowl per two diners, cash only; takeaway skips the dine-in queue, with broth and squid packed separately. Lunchtime lines are the longest.

Ideal for travellers coming specifically for Tainan seafood snacks and anyone who loves tender-crisp seafood. Arrive soon after opening, order a bowl of squid noodles and share a portion of squid roe; it works best with two or more people, and takeaway is fine too since the squid is packed separately and won't go soggy.