粥大福 新竹東南店
I really like eating congee because you can swallow it without needing to chew too much (how lazy, right? XD). But when I first came to Hsinchu, I could never find a congee shop that I liked until Zhou Da Fu opened ❤️. After that, if I wanted congee, it would definitely be Zhou Da Fu.
Zhou Da Fu Southeast Branch has limited parking nearby, and there are less than 20 seats in the shop. It's always full during meal times, so many people choose to take out. There’s no break in between, and you can enjoy steaming hot congee in the afternoon (✪ω✪). If you dine in, there is a self-serve area with honey lemon water and youtiao (fried dough sticks).
You order using a QR code. If you want takeout, you can also order in advance with your phone; otherwise, if you order on-site during peak hours, you have to wait a long time.
Flower Mushroom Chicken Congee $90
At first, I always ordered using delivery platforms. I thought paying 130 NT for a bowl of congee was too expensive QAQ, but I couldn’t resist as it really suited my taste. After dining in, I found out it’s only 90 NT!!! Plus, there are many choices for extra toppings, and there’s even a congee where you can choose your own toppings. Although sometimes the amount of soup varies, the flavor doesn’t differ much. The rice isn’t cooked to the point of being overly mushy. It’s super hot when freshly cooked, but if you're too eager to eat, it can burn you.
Spicy Sichuan Noodles $130
The price is a bit higher, but the portion is indeed larger. You can choose between udon or pot noodles and pork or beef (+10 NT). It’s about a mild level of spiciness, and there’s a lot of soup.
Signature Braised Duck Blood $50
There are about 4-5 pieces in the serving. It’s slightly spicy and there’s also spicy sauce at the bottom of the plate. Sometimes, when I get a bit tired of congee, I'll pour some spicy sauce in to change things up.