Om Nomz Hero Note to Self: Walking into random underground malls can be good
Sometimes it takes a little bit of effort and
patience to get a near perfect bowl of noodles. My favorite place to eat
in Taipei, is a small little place that is in my opinion, the best dan
dan noodles and red oil wontons. I almost regret
talking about this place because I want to be greedy and have this
place all to myself…and the lines of people that are also waiting for
these amazing noodles. Getting there is a bit of a find; it is located
in an underground mall by the Zhongxiao Dunhua station.
You will walk by this place at least once and in fact, those living in
Taipei may have already walked by it multiple times without even knowing
it. Even if you do find the stairs that lead to these awesome noodles,
awkward hesitation may get the best of you
and most likely you will walk away. There is no sign at first that awe
inspired noodles are here, there are random clothing shop, some weird
looking coffee bar, a random dull stall, all giving off signs of
unwelcomed uneasiness and your conscience is screaming
for you to retreat and find food elsewhere but you must hold your
ground and if you show up there after 11:30 from Tuesday to Sunday, get
in line.
In the end of this uninviting underground mall is a
noodle counter and has about 15 seats where people are waiting
patiently for food. A man, his wife and daughter are all painstakingly
and methodically preparing food. The space is the
size of a newly grad kitchen and in fact, maybe even smaller. The
noodle counter has exactly 3 burners and a crock pot of pork chops and
eggs in soy that has been stewing for who knows how long. Jump for the food!
