Taiwan Beef Noodle King

So… it seems like I have been craving for noodles in the last couple of months. I am pretty much a poser when it comes to eating noodles and only eat around five to ten strands, literally. However, lately I have been wanting to eat noodles and can finish a whole bowl, probably because it is nice for a change and something different for me. Taiwan Beef Noodle King is a small family owned restaurant with the husband working at the back of the house and the wife overseeing the front. Despite the somewhat small restaurant, the interior is well ventilated and has a high ceiling as well as spacious comfortable seating arrangements.

NOODLE SOUP WITH STEWED BEEF AND BEEF TENDON, BEEF IN CHINESE PANCAKE, PAN FRIED PORK DUMPLINGS, MARINATED EGG, MARINATED DRIED TOFU AND MARINATED BEEF TRIPE, STEAMED JUICY DUMPLING, XIAO LONG BAO, AND STEWED BEEF NOODLE IN SOUP.

MARINATED EGG ($1.00), MARINATED DRIED TOFU ($3.00) AND MARINATED BEEF TRIPES ($3.50). The beef tripe is marinaded and sliced in house which is worth mentioning considering that most restaurants buy them prepackaged. The tripe tastes flavourful, oddly refreshing, has a soft chewy texture and actually tastes really good. I do not comment much on tripe in general but these are quite tasty. The marinated egg tastes like what it is and not dry, and the tofu slices taste like marinated dried tofu, nothing special.

STEWED BEEF NOODLE IN SOUP, SPICY ($7.00). The soup base tastes extremely spicy and I could not taste the broth, so not much help there. The soup has a pretty good amount of beef brisket especially for the price, bok choy and pickled mustard greens. The beef brisket tastes extremely tender, flavourful and has a perfect thickness as well as soft texture. I have been to many noodle houses that serves chewy or dry tasting beef brisket, and these are definitely one of the better best tasting ones. For the noodles, unfortunately those taste undercooked and quite chewy.

NOODLE SOUP WITH STEWED BEEF AND BEEF TENDON, SPICY ($8.00). This is the same as above, a spicy broth with undercooked noodles but added beef tendon. The beef tendon tastes somewhat soft but could have tasted more tender and has a weird heavy gamey taste.

BEEF IN CHINESE PANCAKE ($5.25). The chinese pancake tastes crisp with flaky layers, has a good amount of green onion and does not taste greasy. The beef wrap also has a good amount of tender tasting flavourful beef shank and the sauce does not taste overwhelming. The pancake wrap tastes properly made but there is something about it that tastes dry.. I think the pancake was too thick or the dough could have used more oil.

PAN FRIED PORK DUMPLINGS ($5.50).
The pork dumpling do not have a crisp bottom despite the golden brown appearance and tastes quite oily. Also, the pork filling tastes gritty, not flavourful and bland. The dumplings taste average and are nothing special or memorable. I recommend the steamed dumplings rather than the pan fried which may taste better.

STEAMED JUICY DUMPLING, XIAO LONG BAO ($5.50). Despite the dry looking appearance, the xiao long bao tastes extremely juicy. The skin does not taste doughy, has a nice thin layer and the XLBs have a smooth flavourful moist pork meat filling. The XLBs are pretty darn good.

POSITIVES

- Friendly owners

- Tasty XLBs

- Marinated and sliced in house beef tripe

- One of the most tender tasting beef brisket at a noodle house

NEGATIVES

- Undercooked noodles

LITTLE THINGS

- I love to support family businesses and would come back to try the beef noodles again, but BF thinks there are too many restaurants to come back

Food: 2.5/5

Service: 2.5/5