陳紅心豬肉麵

Located in downtown Taitung, Chen Hongxin Pork Noodle is a budget-friendly eatery recommended by many locals. The place is not large. This time, we ordered the restaurant's signature pork noodle soup and meatball soup, as well as a small side dish.

The most distinctive dish is the signature pork noodle soup, which has a surprisingly complex broth. Although it features pork as the main ingredient, the soup actually resembles that of "braised beef noodle soup" quite closely—it's fragrant with soy sauce, moderately salty, and has a rich flavor without being greasy. A sip immediately reminds one of the thickness characteristic of braised soup bases, yet it is lighter and less heavy than typical beef noodles due to the absence of beef fat. This aspect surprisingly makes it a great choice for those who don't eat beef but still want to enjoy a braised flavor.

The meatball soup also performs reliably well. The meatballs are not large but have a nice springy texture. Biting into one releases a bit of meaty aroma and mild sweetness. The broth is refreshingly light, making it a standard representation of Taiwanese small eatery flavors—perfectly paired with the main dish, it doesn’t overshadow but rather completes the meal.

The side dishes are simply plated but flavorful. With common options like dried tofu, seaweed, or braised items, they are well-seasoned without being excessively salty, offering a refreshing taste that makes them easy to eat and not at all greasy.

Overall, Chen Hongxin Pork Noodle is the best choice for those in Taitung looking for the flavor of beef noodles but cannot eat beef.