// TAIPEI 台北 // DA AN 大安區 // 

liao jia beef noodle
廖家牛肉麵

a no-frills cult classic beef noodle bowl in taipei

When it comes to beef noodle soup, there are endless options in Taiwan. As the pride and joy of Taiwan, the dish is pervasive. But if you’re serious about beef noodle soup, you go to a specialty store. How do you know a specialty beef noodle soup joint is good? It has no frills and a long line out the door onto the street. Case in point: Liao Jia. This noodle soup has been around for decades and has built up a cult following among locals. Their key differentiator is the braised beef in light broth. While many other places either special in light or dark broth, or offer both, Liao Jia only has one thing, but they do it well. The rich flavors of the soy braise in the meat is nicely balanced and complemented by the more mild and nuanced spice notes in the broth.

The menu is simple, and they make it easy. You can get beef noodle soup, or just noodles (no meat) in beef broth, just meat (no noodles) in broth, or even just broth. They have a few stewed and braised sides, and minced pork noodles (I suppose to appease any non-beef eaters). And some fans, AC for hot days, stools crowded around tables in a narrow dining space. And little else. It’s easy to miss if you don’t know what you’re looking for, but thankfully, everyone else knows what they’re looking for so you can just get in line.

the details

Address No. 98, Jinhua Street, Da’an District, Taipei City
Website https://www.facebook.com/pages/廖家牛肉麵新址/247582235366947
Yelp https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g13811269-d6150117-Reviews-Liao_Jia_Beef_Noodles-Da_an_Taipei.html
Hours 10:00 – 17:00 Tuesday – Sunday, closed Monday
Price $$ – beef noodle soup, even in hole-in-walls are never that cheap compared to the general cost of living, but it’s not not cheap either…
Aesthetic nonexistent, but that’s a good thing

good to know

Go here for: to quench that beef noodle soup craving with a hearty bowl 

Order this: well, you don’t have many choices, so get the beef noodle soup and if they have sides available, get the tofu bean curd (they slice it super thin)

Amount of time to spend: about 30 minutes, there’s usually a line but the service is fast

When to come: early in the day (they sell out of sides quickly) or after lunch rush to avoid a line

Getting here: it’s not particularly close to any MRT station, but walkable (<10 minute walk) from Dongmen (red, orange), CKS Memorial (red, green) and Guting (green) 

Other things to note: 

  • Sauces and pickled greens are self-serve.
  • Unlike some other noodle shops, they don’t do broth refills.

Last visited: October 2019

Last updated: December 2020

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