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COMPASS MAGAZINE, June 2006

Tasty, filling Shandong-style noodles and cuisine Peng Family's Beef Specialist Shop 77, WenChang 4th Street, Beitun District (04) 2235-5530 Hours: 10:30 am-8 pm

---By Niang Chen and Douglas Habecker Translated by Cara Steenstra and Jean Huang

The neighbors here know that the expensive cars regularly seen parked along the simple, little alleyway all belong to gourmands heading to the Peng Family's place for dinner. The Peng family has been selling beef noodles for almost 20 years and most customers have become regulars, not to mention good friends, with the owners. Beef Noodles (NT$65/small, NT$75/big) are made with beef tendon slices with equal proportions of tendon and meat. The beef is quick-boiled in hot water and ginger, helping bring out the beef flavors. The meat is then braised with the owners' methods for a tender texture. No Chinese herbal medicines, tomatoes or bean paste have been added to the original-flavored soup; only two spoons of sugar are mixed in for color as the soup is naturally sweet and leaves a lovely aftertaste. The round noodles are made using a special ratio of flour, and absorb the right amount of broth for a chewy texture that doesn't lose elasticity. All ingredients are natural and the cooking methods are traditional and down-to-earth, making this a satisfying, healthy place to dine at. Carefully cooked appetizers such as seaweed, peanuts and tofu all maintain original flavors, and there is no need to add any sauces or dressings--one more facet of this restaurant's hometown cooking vibe.