[Taipei] While I often eat zi-char in Singapore, I never quite experienced it in Taipei’s night market till this stall.
Lo Chi Hsiao Chao 駱記小炒is known for its lamb, beef and clams prepared traditionally re chao (熱炒) style or stir-fried.
You might miss this Michelin Gourmand stall tucked away in an alley within the Linjiang Night Market 臨江夜市 (more popularly known as Tonghua Night Market 通化夜市). However, when you find it, it is worth it.
While you are there at Linjiang, other popular street food shops and stalls there are Liang Chi Lu Wei 梁記滷味, Tien Hsiang Stinky Tofu 天香臭豆腐 , Golden Fried Chicken 格登炸雞 (they spelt as “Golden Fired Chicken”), Lin Shanghai Sheng Jiang Bao 林記上海生煎包, and Yu Pin Yuan Iced and Hot Tangyuan 御品元冰火湯圓 .
Outside you will spot the food cart with a long line, displaying platters of lamb, beef and clams, but behind it is a dine-in area with around 8 tables.
The waiting time in the line can be about 30 minutes or more, so I would recommend avoid peak dinner hours. I overheard that customers who intend to buy takeaways have to wait about 20 minutes at least as well.
This is where you can taste some of Taiwan’s most beloved comfort stir-fries, priced inexpensively from NT$100 – 120 (SGD4.60 – 5.60) per plate.
On the menu are Fried Beef, Lamb, Clams, and Beansprouts, to be accompanied with white rice.
The Stir-fried Beef (NT$150) is an aromatic dish with a mildly sweet taste. For the price, there is generous amount of meat in there, combined with fresh water spinach (better known as kang kong in our part of the world).
You can choose your level of spiciness which would indicate how much chillies they would add in, and I would think medium-spicy (zhong lai) would work well with most Singaporeans.
The Stir-fried Shellfish (NT$120) use medium sized clams or snails cooked to the right texture and has a predominant ginger taste. The base sauce is slightly on the sweet side.
I enjoy the Beansprouts (NT$40) which were fresh and crunchy, reeking with wok-hei (wok heat).
To be fair, while I enjoyed the meal, I didn’t think the individual dishes were very much out of the ordinary. The winning elements are that comforting home-cooked taste matched with strong wok-heat.
Some of the local Taiwanese have commented that portions have decreased over the years, making it less value for its money.
Add in a small bowl of white rice for (NT$15). A bowl of light and refreshing clear soup of the day is served complimentary – you can to scoop from a container found near the entrance of the shop.
Lo Chi Hsiao Chao 駱記小炒
Linjang Street Night Market, 27, Alley 50, Lane 39, Tonghua Street, Da’an, Taipei, 110, Taiwan
106台北市大安區通化街39巷50弄27號
Tel: +886 2 2708 1027
Opening Hours: 5pm – 12am (Mon, Wed – Sun), Closed Tues
Google Maps – Lo Chi Hsiao Chao 駱記小炒
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