History
Taiwanese beef noodle soup was created in Taiwan by Kuomintang veterans from Sichuan who fled to Kaohsiung, and it was first eaten in military dependents' villages. Beef was long avoided because cattle were valuable farm animals. The Taipei City Office of Commerce holds the annual Taipei International Beef Noodle Festival, most recently on 9 to 11 October 2026. Lao Shan Dong has built a loyal following since 1949, with a broth slow cooked with beef bones and a blend of 10 Chinese herbs.
Book a food experience
Tours, tastings and classes that match this page, bookable on GetYourGuide.
Common allergens: Gluten, Soy
Make it at home
Ingredients
- 1.2kg beef shank with tendon, cut into 5cm chunks
- 2 large tomatoes, quartered
- 3 spring onions, white and green parts separated
- 30g fresh ginger, sliced
- 5 garlic cloves, smashed
- 3 star anise
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 4 dried bird's-eye chillies
- 60g doubanjiang (Sichuan broad bean paste)
- 120ml dark soy sauce
- 60ml Shaoxing rice wine
- 30g rock sugar
- 2 litres water
- 500g fresh wheat noodles or ribbon-style hand-cut
- 200g pickled mustard greens, finely chopped
- Coriander leaves, to serve
Method
- Blanch the beef in a pot of boiling water for 5 minutes; drain and rinse off scum.
- Heat 30ml vegetable oil in a heavy pot, fry ginger, spring onion whites and garlic until fragrant, 2 minutes.
- Add doubanjiang, star anise, cinnamon and chillies, stir 30 seconds until aromatic.
- Return beef to the pot with soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, rock sugar and tomatoes. Cover with 2 litres water.
- Bring to the boil, reduce to a low simmer, cover, cook 2.5 hours until the shank is fork-tender and tendon translucent.
- Cook noodles per pack (about 3 minutes); divide between bowls.
- Ladle hot broth and 3 to 4 pieces of beef over each bowl. Top with pickled mustard greens, coriander and chopped spring onion greens. Serve immediately.
Tip from the editors. Make a day ahead; the braise deepens overnight. Don't skip the tendon, the chewy translucent texture is half the bowl.
Where to eat beef noodle soup
Beef noodle soup in Taipei
Yong Kang Beef Noodle ★ 4.6
Yong Kang Beef Noodle is a beef noodle shop at No. 17, Lane 31, Section 2, Jinshan South Road in Da'an District, Taipei, phone +886 2 2351 1051.
TryBeef noodle
TipThe shop takes calls on +886 2 2351 1051.
Lin Dong Fang Beef Noodle ★ 4.7
Lin Dong Fang Beef Noodle is at No. 322, Section 2, Bade Road in Zhongshan District, Taipei, phone +886 2 2752 2556.
TipThe shop takes calls on +886 2 2752 2556.
Lao Shan Dong Homemade Noodles ★ 4.6
Lao Shan Dong Homemade Noodles is a beef noodle restaurant at B1, Wan Nian Building, No. 70 Xining South Road, a loyal following since 1949 in Wanhua.
OrderHand-pulled ribbon noodles with beef in the slow cooked broth of beef bones and 10 Chinese herbs.
TipThe tender local and Aussie beef is a highlight, and the cold sides such as pork ear in aspic are made fresh daily.
Liu Shan Dong Beef Noodles ★ 4.6
Liu Shan Dong Beef Noodles is a noodle shop at No. 2, Lane 14, Section 1, Kaifeng Street in Zhongzheng District, Taipei, phone +886 2 2311 3581.
TipThe shop takes calls on +886 2 2311 3581.
More cities are in research. Want beef noodle soup covered somewhere specific? Tell us where you want to eat.