川渝小吃坊

【Foodholic Niko @ Taipei】

"Chuan Yu Snack Bar" has been an old store in the Zhongshan Station area for quite some time. Recently, they also opened a branch near Taipei Station. When I dined at the original Zhongshan Station location today, I noticed that a new store had opened right next door. It seems that business is quite good, so they expanded!

"Chuan Yu Snack Bar" is only a one-minute walk from Exit 1 of Zhongshan Station, but the exit is currently under construction. I tried walking from Exit 4 and turning right after crossing the street to get there. The Zhongshan shopping district is bustling with shoppers every day. Even at this odd hour of 2-3 PM on a weekend, the place was still packed!

"Chuan Yu Snack Bar" has two menus. One is focused on noodles and small bites, while the other features larger dishes, which are more suitable for group dining. Additionally, there are many small dishes available at the counter, and I noticed many customers picking up the sour and spicy shredded potatoes and lotus root.

The restaurant is very considerate; almost every dish allows you to choose the spiciness level, ranging from mild to very hot, and some can even be made without spice.

Chongqing Sour and Spicy Noodles $100
I chose mild, and the spice level was indeed quite low—barely noticeable. Next time I come, I’ll definitely try the medium spice; that should be more satisfying! The portion of noodles is generous, and the noodles themselves are soft, containing bean sprouts, peanuts, sour beans, and more. At first, I found it pretty decent, but as I continued eating, it became a bit monotonous and heavy.
For me, it's a bowl of sour and spicy noodles that scores around 70 points—not bad, but not the best I've had.

Red Oil Dumplings (Dry) $100
I forgot to count how many there were, but I recall there being at least 7 or 8. The portion is fair; the thickness of the skin is medium, but I personally feel there was a bit too little filling and the seasoning was average. This might be because I chose mild spice; I left with a feeling that it didn’t quite hit the spot. I definitely need to try the medium spice next time!

Next time, I must try the larger dishes! Today I saw the people at the next table ordering Chongqing Crisp Pork, boiled fish, and more; they all looked delicious!