Yongkang Beef Noodles is one of those places I already knew I wanted to revisit before I even arrived in Taipei. The restaurant has been around since 1963, and after trying it for the first time in 2024 during a long layover in the city, I understood why it’s lasted this long. It ended up being one of those meals that stayed in my head long after the trip. 

It’s Michelin Bib Gourmand recognised, but honestly, what brought me back was simply how comforting and satisfying the noodles were, especially since the weather was cold during this visit. I arrived around 10 minutes before opening, and there was already a queue forming outside. Thankfully, it wasn’t too long, so once the doors opened, I got seated almost immediately. 

Yongkang Beef Noodles Taipei
braised beef noodle soup

Since I was dining solo, they sat me together with another solo diner, which I didn’t mind at all. In fact, the man sitting across actually helped me order a Coke Zero since the staff didn’t really speak English and the place was so busy that it was difficult getting anyone’s attention. Not really a complaint, just something I noticed. Ordering the food itself was easy enough if you just pointed at the menu.

I ordered the exact same thing I got the first time: the braised beef noodle soup, which is their signature dish. Even after already building it up in my head from my previous visit, it still completely held up. The broth was rich and deeply flavorful without feeling too heavy, the beef was incredibly tender, and the noodles had that perfect chewy texture that made the whole bowl really satisfying to eat, especially in the cold weather. The dish also had a nice little spicy kick, which I liked.

The noodles were still priced at NTD240 or around PHP470, which was exactly the same as when I first visited two years ago. Considering how much prices have gone up in general, I honestly appreciated that. The restaurant is also cash only, so that’s worth keeping in mind before going. Overall, it’s still one of the best meals I’ve had across all of my Taipei visits, and honestly, somewhere I’d keep returning to whenever I’m back in the city.