永樂牛肉湯

This time I specifically came to check out Tainan's famous "Yongle Beef Soup." This place only starts operating at midnight, and it's one of those late-night beef soup spots that get busier the later it gets. We arrived right at midnight, but to our surprise, there were already crowds of people waiting in line as if they had been waiting for quite a while. In the end, we waited about an hour before we could finally sit down.

Perhaps because the business is so good, the owner's voice is a bit loud, and his tone is rather direct. Some people might find it a bit fierce, but it's probably not intentional; it's just a way to maintain order in a chaotic environment.

We ordered both the shabu-shabu beef soup and the regular beef soup. Both soups are relatively light, not the kind with deep colors and complex flavors. The aroma is pretty good, and it goes down smoothly when served hot. The shabu-shabu beef slices have a nice chewiness and flavor, and the doneness is just right—not too tough. The regular beef soup's slices are drier and have a somewhat bland sweetness. Overall, the broth is good; it's not overly seasoned, relying on the natural fragrance of the beef.

We also ordered a plate of sliced beef shank, which wasn’t much in quantity, and it had a light flavor with no special seasoning. You need to adjust the taste with the sauces available on the table. However, I think the overall seasoning of the soup and meat here is on the lighter side; it’s rather conservative and doesn’t overpower the natural flavors, making it suitable for pairing with soy sauce, shredded ginger, or chili sauce.

In conclusion, Yongle Beef Soup indeed has a certain standard. The broth is smooth, and the meat quality is sincere. If you live nearby or feel like having some hot soup and meat late at night, it would be a good choice. But if it means waiting an hour in the middle of the night just to eat, that feels a bit too taxing for my standards. If it were right around the corner from my house, I would probably visit often; but to make a special trip just to wait in line? That's a no-go for me. 😐