Wanhua District, Taipei City｜鑫鑫一元堂素餅之家

There's no place like home. And this was home to me for the couple of months that I lived nearby. Sometimes I'd come for lunch, sometimes dinner, sometimes both on the same day. The 奶奶 Nai Nai took huge pleasure in watching me increase the order of tofu blocks I could eat (heated up in the soup they cook the noodles in and served with a couple drops of a delicious sweet sauce). Yesterday I popped in and several 奶奶 Nai Nai just mumbled 'sesame noodles, tofu...'. At some point I think théy decided I should eat something different, and for a while there I was taken on a trek through the menu and although my food-related Chinese language skills have significantly improved of late - I have no idea what I was eating half the time. I'm sure they told me though. On Sunday evening you'll see the (tiny!) place filled with 8+ ladies taking orders, serving dishes, and to my delight, wrap wontons together once the place quiets down a bit. I must have seen hundreds of freshly stuffed wontons the other day. If you're anything like me and love veggie food (ánd elderly ladies who remind you of your sweet late grandmas!) then his is the most important stop on your tour of Taipei.

The sesame sauce noodles are so delicious, a must order!

Cute little family business that's been around for ages and obvs stood the test of time and pandemic. The food is simple, (good) bland, delicious and cheap. I particularly love their noodles. I've been coming here for years and go here multiple times, everytime I come back to Taiwan. I hope they never disappear/change 🥹.