The streets of Taipei are filled with noodle shops of all shapes and sizes, many of which specialize in Japanese noodle forms. While still heavily outnumbered by its ramen sibling, udon isn’t hard to come by. And neither is, for that matter, vegetarian food in Taiwan. But when you bring the two search criteria together, the candidate pool becomes much smaller. Hoshina Udon checks off both boxes with ease. The homegrown shop is one of a few collective brands specializing in plant-based food. Nestled on a fairly quiet block of Fuxing N Road, this gem of a restaurant takes a humble bowl of noodle soup and makes it a fast, reliable, hearty and healthy meal that has gained loyal customers vegan and non-vegans alike.

The house made noodles and and quality ingredients shine through in each dish. The deceivingly simple dishes have depth in flavor that rivals the umami of any meat-based broth, and there is just as much care put in the side dishes as there is in the noodles. A meal at Hoshina is clean, simple, peaceful. Despite minimal decor, it feels warm and inviting. The menu has a variety of set meals and seasonal specials, and an array of sides to round out a meal. The food isn’t heavy, but is still filling and satisfying, making it a great lunch option or a quick weeknight dinner.