Du Hsiao Yueh 度小月擔仔麵 (Taipei, TAIWAN) ★★★☆☆

It's been a while since I last visited Du Hsiao Yueh (度小月), a staple in Taipei who's been well known for their famous dan zai noodles (擔仔麵). It all started three generations ago in 1895 when a fisherman named Hung began selling noodles from buckets strung on a bamboo pole (thus the name). The little business has since evolved into a restaurant serving traditional Taiwanese fare including some pretty amazing local street food.



I remember this place being a little more crowded with tourists last time I was here. Have people just stopped coming to Taipei or are there better options out there for traditional Taiwanese food? I am pretty interested to know.....



Some things never change.....like this little noodle "booth" at the entrance of the restaurant where servers in inn-keeper type of uniforms prepare some of these dishes. It just adds to the nostalgic vibe.



Dan zai noodles (百年擔仔麵) (NT50) - Their signature dish with oil noodles, minced pork and fresh shrimp in a shallow broth. Pretty decent.



Traditional braised pork rice (祖傳肉燥飯) (NT35) - One of the most famous Taiwanese comfort food of all time. This was OK too.



Stewed tofu (滷嫩豆腐) (NT40) - Mom, the tofu maniac ordered this. This was just tofu with a gravy-type of sauce. Interesting name though as its Chinese wording was pronounced as "Old Young" tofu.



Three-cup chicken (三杯雞) (NT350) - Another famous dish from the Taiwanese cuisine. This was a bit disappointing, especially the seasoning which was supposed to be the key of this dish featuring sesame oil, Chinese rice wine and soy sauce. There's a lot of flavors coming from the ginger and I could definitely taste the soy, but there was no sign of the sesame oil and rice wine at all.



Pescadores's squid ball (澎湖花枝丸) (NT150) - Didn't know where that English name (directly from their menu) came from but these were pretty good. No wonder it got the four of us fighting over the extra piece.



Crunchy taro balls (脆皮芋丸) (NT60) - Crunchy on the outside but soft and a bit creamy inside. Pretty tasty.



I have always enjoyed coming here because it felt a lot like traveling back in time. The food menu would never get anybody excited but the nostalgic vibe and more-than-affordable prices are definitely worth the visit.

Food Rating: 3.5/10
Price: $
Address: No.12, Alley 8, Lane 216, Section 4, Zhongxiao E Road, Da’an District, Taipei, Taiwan
Closest Metro Station: Zhongxiao Dunhua
Tel: +886 2-2773-1244
Website: www.noodle1895.com/site/en/index.html#!/home