Beef noodles at Queen House

I really have a high standard where beef noodles are concerned--I'm actually Taiwanese, not just born to Taiwanese parents and went to Taipei once for Loveboat--so almost all beef noodles in America have been disappointing :/ However, the one at Queen House is not bad at all! The broth is really nice and rich, the beef is tender, and the noodles are the perfect, dense texture.

So much fat!

However,  the broth is not very clear. I feel like it was a bit of a rushed job. Even though the flavor is really beefy and savory, they really should've strained it. You cook the broth for a pretty long time, so bits of green onion, fat, and other solids from the braising liquid become mushy and cloud the broth. All the particles make the soup really sticky :(

So much grease!

Although this dish is not perfect, this is as close as I've gotten in America. I have to stop having expectations--then I'll never be disappointed!

Queen House
273 Castro Street

Wang's Beef Noodles 老王記牛肉麵

I'm going to say right now, this is the most perfect bowl of beef noodles you will ever eat, ever. My dad has been coming here since college, and I've been eating here since I was two (apparently I had a very strong digestive system for a baby, because I was drinking soda as well). The meat here is quite different, because it has pretty much no tendon or marbling. The broth is really incredible, too--we often spot piles of MSG in the kitchen, which is proof that MSG is DELICIOUS.

In recent years, Taiwan has held annual competitions for best beef noodles, but they're really for new restaurants that need a publicity boost. Stop wasting your money trying those newcomers, because this place is really the best you'll ever have.

老王記牛肉麵
No. 15, Tao Yuen St., Taipei
台北市桃源街15號