Mountain and Sea House ★ 4.6
Why locals love it: A restored Japanese-era mansion on Ren'ai Road in Taipei reviving 1930s Taiwanese banquet cuisine, often missed for the louder Le Palais.
Tip: Closed Mondays. Reserve through the operator's site.
Liu Shan Dong Beef Noodles is a taiwanese beef noodle restaurant in Zhongzheng, Taipei.
Liu Shan Dong has served Shandong-lineage beef noodle since 1949 from a tiny Kaifeng Street counter near Taipei Main. Bib Gourmand, clear-broth tendon bowl.
Why locals love it: 1949 Shandong-lineage beef noodle counter on Kaifeng Street near Taipei Main, tiny street-level room locals defend.
Tip: Open 08:00 to 19:30, closed Sundays. Cash only.
Address: No. 14, Kaifeng Street, Section 1, Zhongzheng District, Taipei City 100
Why locals love it: A restored Japanese-era mansion on Ren'ai Road in Taipei reviving 1930s Taiwanese banquet cuisine, often missed for the louder Le Palais.
Tip: Closed Mondays. Reserve through the operator's site.
Why locals love it: A standing-counter mianxian stall in Ximending that draws second-bowl regulars from the surrounding pedestrian streets, since 1975.
Tip: Cash only. Pile on chilli and black vinegar from the condiment table.
Why locals love it: A 60-year halal beef-noodle counter tucked in an alley off Yanji Street, Northern-style dumplings and lazy-susan dining.
Tip: Open 11:00 to 14:00 and 17:00 to 20:30, closed Mondays. Cash only.
Why locals love it: A Linjiang Street stall pushing Bib Gourmand-listed iced sesame-syrup tangyuan, eaten standing on a back-alley counter.
Tip: Cash only. The iced version is the summer order.
Why locals love it: Round-table Taiwanese banquet cooking in Zhongshan since 1977, the family-table standard locals book for new-year reunion meals.
Tip: Phone reservations. Service charge added.
Why locals love it: Yongkang Street's second xiaolongbao counter, opened 1949, shorter queue than Din Tai Fung two doors down.
Tip: Walk-in; phone reservations for six plus.
Why locals love it: A restored Japanese-era mansion on Ren'ai Road in Taipei reviving 1930s Taiwanese banquet cuisine, often missed for the louder Le Palais.
Tip: Closed Mondays. Reserve through the operator's site.