Zhulian Mixed Noodles

Review

Zhulian Mixed Noodles is at No. 126 Shipin Road in Hsinchu's East District, near the municipal stadium and Hsinchu Zoo, a queue-worthy old shop that locals recommend. The blogger Bunny Ann has covered it in a dedicated post and several Hsinchu food lists, describing huge bowls of old-style mixed noodles in a sweet, non-greasy broth, served in a bright, clean, air-conditioned room. The shop does not state its founding year, but locals generally call it an old shop.

The menu splits into boiled, stir-fried and plain soup dishes. Choose mixed toppings, shredded pork, pork liver or oysters, then pair them with yellow noodles, rice noodles, flat rice noodles or short rice noodles; Bunny Ann puts prices at about NT$70 to NT$140. The signature mixed noodles are piled to the rim, the bone broth soaks into the noodles, and you can add a fried egg; stir-fried oyster rice noodles are another favourite. The star side dish is fried pork belly, crisp outside and juicy inside, on almost every table. A braised snacks cabinet lets you pick extras.

Fans praise generous toppings, big plump oysters, a rich yet clean broth, quick service and a tidy room. Critics say the fried pork can be oily if it sits, and seats are limited at peak times, so expect to wait. One diner notes that dine-in now means ordering and paying first before sitting, cash only, which differs from the QR ordering the blogger described, so the process may have changed.

According to online information, weekday hours are roughly 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and 5:00 to 7:30 p.m., opening at 8:00 a.m. on weekends, closed on Mondays; whether it opens on Sunday evenings varies between sources, so check before going. Shipin Road is busy and street parking is scarce, so use the stadium's underground car park or lots around the zoo and walk five to ten minutes; it pairs well with the zoo and Hsinchu Park on the same day.

It suits anyone after a big bowl of old-style noodles, and families looking for lunch around a zoo visit. On a first visit, order mixed noodles with yellow or rice noodles and a fried egg, plus a plate of fried pork belly to share; oyster lovers can switch to stir-fried oyster rice noodles. Expect about NT$100 to NT$200 per person.