🚩New store popular stir-fry restaurant started from a food cart and moved to a storefront
After taking a long nap on a holiday, we were ready to head out around 7 PM, but there weren't many places still open (most regular restaurants close around 8 PM, aside from chain outlets 😕). So, my family and I decided to go to Liu Ji Stir-Fry to solve our dinner dilemma.
The restaurant is located on Jian Guo Road in Xindian, with a small alley separating the cooking area from the checkout and dining area. After filling out the paper menu in the dining area, the staff helps to take the order over. Once we're done eating, we pay at the counter, where cash and street payment options are accepted. The dining area is spacious and bright, with plenty of seats but not much decoration.
Here are my thoughts on the dishes:
Bamboo shoots: Besides the bamboo shoots, there were also a few pieces of shredded meat. It was stir-fried very well and had a rich aroma.
Clams: Heavily seasoned with a lot of condiments, which I didn't particularly enjoy; the portion was quite large.
Stir-fried vegetables: At NT$70, this is very reasonable. The water spinach was crunchy and fragrant with garlic, but it mostly consisted of stems with very few leaves.
Pork fried rice: Fragrant, not greasy, and has clear grains, very tasty. The seasoning wasn't too salty, making you want to take bite after bite. The portion was sufficient; it looked like a little mountain, and it feels great to just take this home for a meal.
Pork fried noodles: Heavily sauced and on the salty side, it tasted average, but the portion was huge, even taller than the fried rice, perfect for those with a big appetite! 🤣
Milkfish soup: Contains two large slices of milkfish; though it's bony and not very convenient to eat, at NT$150, it seems like a great deal! There were also a few clams inside. The downside is that the fish takes up a lot of space, so there isn’t much soup left to drink, but that’s okay because the soup was extremely salty, they might have knocked over the salt container today. 🙃
This restaurant has been in Xindian for many years; it previously operated from a food cart on Zhongzheng Road, only serving during the late-night hours but had great business, often with many customers in line, and frequently sold out of food. It moved to its current location two years ago, and the hours have expanded. Overall, the dishes are decent, and I highly recommend this affordable place for a filling late-night snack! 👍🏻
"This week, after the pomelo harvest, it was a big start... It was another day of buying lunch for my family at noon," by younger brother.
<About the meal 🥣>
The meal included pork fried noodles and pork fried rice, and there was also some braised rice and a bowl of oyster soup. The moment I opened the menu, I immediately spotted the 40-yuan oyster soup and marked it down right away. The oyster soup was a great value, but it had some shells in it... a small downside.
Between the pork fried rice and the fried noodles, I prefer the pork fried rice. The rice is slightly moist, flavorful but not salty, while the fried noodles seem a bit bland, and both dishes are only 70 yuan!
The pickled radish isn't very tasty... it hasn't absorbed the flavor yet; although it's crunchy, it can become bitter towards the end, but the pickled radish is provided for free.
<About the staff 👨🍳>
As for the staff, when I arrived, every one of them had a rosy face, but after writing out the order, the staff will confirm your meal details with you! Finally, when your complete meal is called out, they confirm it with you again! Super attentive.
<About the environment 🐾>
Regarding the environment, the dining tables are quite spacious, and while the decor is ordinary, the cleanliness is good with no insects or flies.
This time we visited "Yuchao Niu," located near the Liuzhangli MRT station, a restaurant specializing in beef dishes. We ordered the signature tomato beef stir-fry, water spinach stir-fried with lamb, handmade French bread, and Western-style cream soup.
🥖 Handmade French Bread - $150
The restaurant highly recommends their French bread, stating that it is made fresh every day in limited quantities. We received a loaf cut into eight slices. The bread has a crispy crust and soft inside, making it very delicious. The butter is optional; the bread itself pairs well with the other dishes. However, two people eating a whole loaf might be too much; it would be better to share it among three to four people.
🍅 Signature Tomato Beef Stir-fry - $220
This dish truly lives up to its signature title; the beef is tender and juicy, while the tomato sauce is rich and the sweet-salty flavor is very appetizing. We enjoyed it with the French bread, but I think it would be even better with white rice. This dish is highly recommended for both its texture and flavor.
🍖 Water Spinach Stir-fried with Lamb - $280
The water spinach is crisp, but the lamb is a bit tough, making it hard to chew. The seasoning primarily features garlic and a light saltiness, and there isn’t a strong gamey taste, which makes it acceptable even for those who don’t often eat lamb. The portion size is decent, and it’s better to share this dish with three people.
🍲 Western-style Cream Soup - $30
The soup is an additional charge, but at $30 a bowl, the price is quite reasonable, and it’s served buffet-style. The soup contains edamame, tomatoes, and some soybeans, and it is seasoned with a lot of spices, hinting at a lemongrass flavor. This bowl of soup is full of ingredients and delicious; I highly recommend ordering a bowl when dining.
🏠 Dining Environment
The restaurant has a simple and spacious interior with plenty of natural light, creating a pleasant atmosphere. However, it is near the road, so the sound insulation isn’t great, and it can be a bit noisy. The owner is very enthusiastic and confident in their dishes, providing detailed explanations of each dish, which enhances the overall dining experience.
📝 Overall Evaluation
The food quality at "Yuchao Niu" is above standard, especially the signature tomato beef stir-fry and the Western-style cream soup, both of which are highly recommended. The lamb in the water spinach stir-fry is slightly tough; if you are particular about texture, it may not be suitable. The French bread is very tasty but comes in a large portion, so if there are fewer people, it's recommended to switch to pairing with white rice. Overall, this restaurant is an excellent choice for treating yourself after work.
📍 Taipei Longshan Temple Station / Huashix Street Night Market
Guo's Stir-Fried Beef is an old local shop that has been operating for 80 years. The restaurant uses locally sourced beef and their homemade satay sauce. There is always a long line whether it's mealtime or not. The seating is available both inside and outside, but the number of seats is limited. If you sit outside, it might be a bit hot as there is no air conditioning, even though it’s a quick stir-fry shop, they do not sell alcoholic beverages!
Dishes 🥘
Stir-Fried Beef with Onions / 240 TWD:
Whether it’s the stir-fried beef with greens (spinach in winter, water spinach in summer) or any other stir-fried dishes, they are all filled with the strong flavor from high heat cooking. The stir-fried beef is tender and delicious, and the seasoning is not overly salty — it is a perfect companion for white rice!
Beef Stew Rice / 140 TWD:
The beef is also very tender, paired with the restaurant's homemade satay sauce, which adds a wonderful aroma. The sauce is generous enough to mix well with the entire bowl of white rice.
Beef Offal Soup / 90 TWD:
Simply enhanced with ginger strips to elevate the fragrance of the broth. The beef offal is tender and soft; while some may have a bit of chewiness, it is still easy to bite into. It goes well with some dipping sauce too, and the highlight is that you can refill the soup!
"I finished picking grapefruit today and heard my mom mention that there’s a pretty good noodle shop she keeps telling me to check out." by younger brother
<About the meal🥣>
I ordered a pork stir-fried noodle for 70 TWD, and the portion was generous enough to fill one person. The chef's stir-frying skills are quite good, with a strong wok aroma and a bold flavor. However, if you don’t eat spicy food, it’s best to avoid the spicy option. I ordered a mild spiciness today… After finishing the stir-fried noodles, I also drank all my beverage…
<About the staff👨🍳>
The staff is a couple running the shop. The husband is rather quiet, but the wife keeps chatting with you and the service is very quick.
<About the environment🐾>
Although there’s no takeout service and I couldn't see the dining environment, one downside is whether the pan used to cook can be cleaned after finishing the previous customer's order; it could be a bit cleaner.
Located in Green Island, "Scumbag Diner" is a uniquely charming small stir-fry restaurant that offers both food and an atmosphere rich in island flair. Upon entering the place, I was immediately drawn to the house dog "Rudy." This oversized black dog is incredibly friendly and follows you around, which can be a bit intimidating (he is just so big), but despite his terrifying appearance, he is actually very well-behaved.
Speaking of food, I first tried the garlic Matsusaka pork. The pork was decent, tasty enough in a regular way, but what surprised me was the almost nonexistent presence of garlic—where exactly was the garlic? 🤔
Next, I had the basil clams. The portion of clams was very generous, and combined with the aromatic basil, the overall flavor was perfectly balanced. Each bite allowed me to savor the freshness of the clams mingled with the aroma of the basil, which I highly recommend.
I also ordered the seaweed egg dish, which turned out to be a delightful surprise. The combination of seaweed and eggs brought a unique aroma; the richness of the seaweed perfectly complemented the tender texture of the eggs.
Lastly, I tried the stir-fried salty pork with scallions. Though this dish was a bit salty, it enhanced the meal significantly. The pork was cut just right and cooked perfectly; paired with the scent of scallions, this dish was flavorful enough that I found myself wanting to eat more and more.
In the evening, sitting on the rooftop, you can see the sea in the distance. As the sun sets and with a table full of delicious food, this experience is indeed rare. Overall, although the offerings at "Scumbag Diner" are simple, every dish is filled with island flavors, making it highly recommended for tourists visiting Green Island.
#Penghu #YuanYuanFoodDiary
The night market hot pot that has always been doing good business
is also a popular late-night spot for many tourists.
It’s open until midnight at 12:00 AM, and the stir-fried dishes are quite flavorful.
The portions are relatively small, but the prices are also quite cheap.
For two people, considering the portion and price,
it’s still a place where you can eat happily and affordably. 👍🏻
You can also pair the stir-fried dishes with a stone hot pot.
They have freshly stir-fried meat slices, along with a hearty bone broth.
It’s quite suitable for a cozy winter gathering with friends.
The downside in summer, though, is the lack of air conditioning.
Sometimes it's too hot, which indirectly affects appetite,
and you might not want to stay long (which is also a form of table turnover).
The dining environment is about on par with night market stalls,
but at least the table is clean.
Personally, I’m not a big fan of the environment
and there often are groups of rowdy people gathered,
which can get quite loud at times. 🤣
It’s a place where you quickly eat and leave, like a flash.
The stir-fried dishes taste pretty good,
but they’re not the kind that will amaze you.
The bitter melon with salted egg and the basil egg are quite good.
However, the fried oyster meat is too small and not recommended!
If you want to eat dishes that will make your eyes glow,
I would recommend Hui Xing Stir-Fry on Minquan Road.
Not only do they have Penghu seafood,
but also the basic stir-fried meals.
They cook it over high heat, and it’s very flavorful.
🔅Actual dining date: 2024/08/12
*Photos are not to be reproduced or used for commercial purposes without permission.
This visit is to a new location; I had eaten at the old location about three months ago. Both times I came because friends invited me.
The pan-fried pig liver is a must-order; even though it’s pan-fried, there’s a layer of sauce (for some reason, the photos of the pig liver and squid taken that day are unusable 🥲). Overall, the food is considered fresh and tasty! The previous location was less crowded, so the serving speed was normal, but this time there were more people, and it took nearly an hour for all the dishes to be served from start to finish (even though I had called ahead to order). Although we were chatting that day, the wait time still felt long, which is something to keep in mind.
I noticed other tables ordered a lot of extravagant dishes, which seems to be a style that older guests would enjoy.
All the dishes were ordered by my friends, and I only know the items but not their exact names or prices, so I hope you'll excuse me. Overall, the prices are reasonable. Some dishes come in medium and large portions, depending on the restaurant.
Conclusion: I wouldn't come here specifically, but it's okay to come if friends invite me.
📍 Location and Transportation: The affordable stir-fry restaurant is located in the famous alley of Lane 216, Section 4, Zhongxiao East Road, in Taipei's eastern district. The nearest MRT exit is Exit 3 of Zhongxiao Dunhua Station, which is about a 4-minute walk. There are 10 motorcycle parking spots at the entrance.
🏠 Space: The interior of the restaurant is simply decorated; it’s not a place for ambiance. There are tables for 4 people and round tables for 8-10 people, accommodating various types of customers. Although situated in a busy office area, there are many groups enjoying hot stir-fry during lunchtime. Couples or individuals dining might share large round tables with other patrons.
💰 Ordering and Payment: After choosing from the paper menu, customers hand it to the staff, and payment is made after the meal, with cash accepted.
🍽️ Dishes:
Today, we dined as a group of four and all ordered individual meals, which were served fairly quickly. The portion size for the individual meal is moderate and includes two types of vegetables and a small piece of fried fish.
Salt-Baked Chicken Rice: This is the restaurant's signature dish. The chicken is tender but not mushy, and the seasoning is just right—not overly salty, with occasional pieces of chewy meat gelatin.
Beef Short Rib Rice: The black pepper seasoning is slightly stronger. The beef short ribs are cut into 4-5 slightly thick slices, tender and not dry, accompanied by a lot of onions.
Clam Soup (small): Seasoned with a little bit of shredded ginger and green onions, the broth is fresh and sweet, and although the clams are of regular size, there are quite a few. There is a little bit of sand at the bottom, but it's personally acceptable.
🌟 If you want to eat oden or stir-fry, this place is really good.
Introduction
"Shijuhui Heibaiqie Stir-Fry" started in front of the Er-Kong Baohua Palace, originally selling oden from a mobile cart. Now it has opened a storefront in the Eastern District while still keeping the oden cart, creating a blend of restaurant and cart atmosphere.
(Heibaiqie comes from Minnan language, meaning to casually cut up some ingredients; it mainly features boiled pork, such as pork belly, head meat, liver, three-layer pork, and various pork offal. In the early days, because pork was relatively expensive, this dish was developed to allow people who couldn't afford large cuts of meat to have more meat in their meals, also serving to replenish the strength of laborers.)
The dining environment consists of about 7 tables for four people, separated from the outside by clear plastic sheets, so the air conditioning isn't particularly strong. There is also a large table at the back. During meal times, this place is quite popular and busy.
Let's Eat
Shrimp Fried Rice 💰95
Sticky and fragrant fried rice, it has a pleasant aroma and is soft, reminding me of fried rice from traditional stir-fry places.
Seasonal Vegetables 💰80
Oden 💰40
Corn and blood rice, originally I wanted to order the bitter melon and colorful toppings, but they were sold out 🥹. The corn is very sweet, and the blood rice is soft and chewy!
Three Color Egg 💰30
When eating Heibaiqie, the three-color egg is a must-order for me! The three-color egg is a common side dish in Hong Kong, made with century egg, salted egg, and chicken egg.
Fried Items Forgot What to Order
Thoughts: If you suddenly crave oden or stir-fry, this place is really affordable, and the portions are quite generous.
If you value meals: Cheap and very authentic taste.
If you value the environment: The space is not large, but the seating is relatively comfortable, and the air conditioning isn't too strong (plastic sheets are used for separation from the outside).
If you value parking: Motorcycles can be parked at the entrance, but it's difficult for cars.
If you value restrooms: There is one.
If you value queuing: The service speed is very fast; there’s almost no need to queue.
If you value service: It's quite good and enthusiastic.
If you value cost performance: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
(Discussion is solely focused on food and prices)