Ximending Taipei Food Guide 2026: 3 Must-Try Spots | TRVLOGUE

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Ximending Taipei Food Guide 2026: 3 Must-Try Spots | TRVLOGUE

Top Ximending Restaurants in Taipei

As someone on their third trip to Taiwan,

I'm sharing three foolproof dining spots in Ximending.

If it's your first time in Taipei,

or if you're sensitive to strong local spices,

these are guaranteed crowd-pleasers! 🥰

3 Must-Try Restaurants in Ximending

1. Ay-Chung Flour-Rice Noodle

Hours: 07:30 AM – 10:30 PM

👉 The ultimate Ximending street food rite of passage

Signature Dish: Mee Sua (Taiwanese intestine noodle soup)

Price: Budget-friendly

Vibe: Grab-and-go, standing room only

📍 Ay-Chung Flour-Rice Noodle
No. 8-1號, Emei St, Wanhua District, Taipei City, Taiwan 108

Honestly, Ay-Chung is so famous

that it pops up on every single Taipei food guide.

I almost left it out for being too mainstream,

but every single person I've brought here has loved it.

It easily earns its spot as my number one recommendation.

To be fair, it might not look like the most

Instagram-worthy dish at first glance.

I didn't have high expectations my first time,

but the flavor completely blew me away.

The rich, umami-packed bonito broth

has zero fishy or gamey taste.

It's just incredibly clean and savory.

The texture is more like a thick, comforting chowder

than a traditional noodle soup, so you eat it with a spoon.

The silky noodles offer a unique mouthfeel

that's hard to find anywhere back home.

The braised pork intestines are tender and chewy,

without any overpowering herbal or meaty odors.

It's a very approachable introduction to Taiwanese street food.

Even my travel buddy, who usually struggles with

strong local spices, polished off an entire bowl here!

I'm a huge fan of cilantro, so I load mine up.

About halfway through, I recommend adding

a spoonful each of chili, garlic, and black vinegar.

It completely elevates the flavor profile!

At 65 TWD (~$2) for a small and 80 TWD (~$3) for a large,

it's incredibly affordable.

Perfect for a quick bite or a mid-afternoon snack.

👉 PRO TIP

If you're not a fan of cilantro, just ask them to leave it out.

But definitely don't skip the DIY sauce station—

the chili, garlic, and black vinegar combo is a must.

2. Jia Fen (100% Hamonaka Kelp Pot)

Hours: 12:00 PM – 09:30 PM

👉 High-quality, great value individual hot pot

Signature Dish: Milk Mala Hot Pot

Price: ~$15 per person

Vibe: Variety of broths / Solo-dining friendly

📍 加分100%浜中特選昆布鍋物-台北西門店 (Jia Fen Ximending)
No. 2, 2nd Floor, Lane 50, Hanzhong St, Wanhua District, Taipei City, Taiwan 108

When I first visited, it was a hidden gem

filled mostly with locals.

Returning in 2026, I noticed

it's definitely gained popularity with international tourists!

I've tried a few all-you-can-eat hot pot places,

but they can sometimes feel a bit heavy and overwhelming.

Here, the quality of the meat and vegetables is top-notch,

and you get exactly the right portion size.

Plus, the self-serve bar offers unlimited

noodles, rice, drinks, and ice cream,

so you definitely won't leave hungry.

Everyone gets their own individual pot,

which is super hygienic and great if you have different tastes.

Ordering is simple: choose your broth,

then pick your meat.

The vegetable platter comes pre-set,

so there's no guesswork involved.

My sister and I went with the Milk Mala broth

and standard beef.

My husband and brother-in-law were starving,

so they upgraded to the double meat portion.

The Milk Mala broth is much milder

than a traditional spicy Sichuan hot pot.

The creaminess balances the heat perfectly,

making it ideal for those who can't handle intense spice.

I personally wanted a bit more kick,

so I asked for extra mala sauce on the side.

You can mix your own dipping sauce at the bar.

I just copied what the local in front of me was doing,

and it turned out delicious! Haha.

👉 PRO TIP

For your unlimited carbs, I highly recommend

grabbing the Prince Noodles (instant ramen)—they soak up the broth perfectly.

3. Chou Chao Tzu

Hours: 11:30 AM – 12:00 AM

👉 The best value Teppanyaki in Ximending

Signature Dish: Teppanyaki Set Meals

Price: Very affordable

Vibe: Fast turnover / Credit cards accepted

📍 Chou Chao Tzu
No. 167號, Xining Rd, Wanhua District, Taipei City, Taiwan 108

This place is famous for its incredible value.

There are virtually no strong Taiwanese spices used here,

making it a universally appealing choice for any traveler.

Expect a wait during dinner hours.

We waited about 30 minutes to get seated,

but the food comes out incredibly fast.

For a sit-down teppanyaki joint, the turnover rate is impressive.

They blast upbeat, fast-paced music in the restaurant...

maybe that's their secret to getting people to eat quickly? 😂

You get your order sheet while waiting in line.

All four of us were ravenous,

so we ordered a 2-person set plus a mountain of add-ons.

The staff actually asked, "Are you sure you can eat all this?"

Spoiler alert...

We finished everything AND ordered more! ^^

We had an absolute feast for four people, plus beers,

and the total bill came out to just ~$115.

Maximum satisfaction!

I was so excited to eat that I barely took any photos...

I had read some reviews saying the food could be a bit salty,

but we went with the standard salt level

and found it perfectly balanced when eaten with rice.

The medium spice level was spot-on for us, too.

👉 PRO TIP

Try to visit outside of peak dinner hours,

or just come prepared to wait in line.

The three Ximending restaurants

I shared today

are places I've personally paid for and returned to multiple times.

From the quick and tasty Ay-Chung Flour-Rice Noodle,

to the hearty Jia Fen Hot Pot,

and the unbeatable value of Chou Chao Tzu Teppanyaki—

add these to your Taipei itinerary!