F/Stop (Food Stop): Ximending Breakfast (S)treat, Part One
If you want to know and taste something, go out in the streets — it’s where all interesting stories are told and flavors are made. And so we went out in the streets of Ximending District, Taipei and tried some of its street food breakfast fares where locals go to. Oh, be sure to wake up early, because most of these rolling food carts are only there for a few hours in the morning.
Let's start the day right with Ay Chung Rice Flour Noodle, first on the list. The rice flour noodle is regarded as one of Taiwan’s popular street food items next to stinky tofu and milk teas. You just can’t leave Taiwan without trying it — a brag of honor, so to speak.
Locals and tourists all lined up to every Ay Chung's rice flour noodle shop to have their warm breakfast fix. The recipe is fairly simple — rice flour noodle, minced pork and innards, ginger, and dried smoked skipjack tuna flakes (resembling to tinapa, a local dried smoked fish in the Philippines) — which makes Ay Chung’s distinct with strong smoked fish flavor that stand out compared to other rice flour noodles in the area.
The rice flour noodle is served piping hot topped with cilantro and can be enjoyed with chili, vinegar, or pureed garlic sauces to enhance the flavor.
Since it's a street-side restaurant with no tables and chairs, go find your sweet spot and enjoy the gooey rice flour noodle. Slurping is encouraged, though. If you’re into big or heavy breakfast meal, go for the large bowl serving, it’s worth the long wait in line. Ay Chung is open daily.
