Yuan is Here

Cute, kitschy décor using old-​school, Taipei-​centric road signs, vintage Hey Song posters, etc. The line moves pretty fast, so don’t let that stop you. The staff is pretty friendly for HK standards. As far as the food goes, I can recommend the braised pork rice and bubble milk tea, but that’s about all. The braised pork rice was just slightly too bland but otherwise pretty authentic. The pork bun, while not bad, had a poor bun-​to-​meat ratio (way too much bun) and didn’t have enough pickled mustard greens and no sugary, ground peanut (absolutely necessary for authenticity and taste reasons). Unlike at the source, they don’t offer a choice of fattiness level on the pork, but I guess the amount of meat is so small that it doesn’t much matter. Also ordered the fried chicken (meh) and the mushroom noodle (thick, starchy, bland — had a couple bites and left the rest).

Came here expecting a long line, but I got in after ~3 mins. Walking in, I felt like I was transported back to the Taipei night markets I had visited years ago. The interior is a bit cramped, but the tables, stools, posters, and music are perfect!
I had the winter melon tea with with a bowl of oyster noodles and a pork bun as a snack. Fantastic value and I’d definitely come back again!

We came here on a Saturday and lined up 15 minutes before they opened at noon. We had heard about this place a couple of times in the past fortnight and had also read about how there was a constant queue to get in. First tip, if you get here by noon on a Saturday, you’re likely to get in for the first seating when they open their doors.
We ordered the Braised Pork Rice, Black Mushroom with Meat rice, Deep Fried Salted Chicken, Four Herbal Soup and Iced Royal Milk Tea.
Braised Pork Rice — This is their #1 dish. It was good and the reason you’re coming here.
Black Mushroom with Meat rice — Completely not what I expected. The rice is soaked in a broth and so it’s more like a soupy dish you eat when you’re sick. Good for someone who’s recovering from illness is the best way to describe this dish.
Deep Fried Salted Chicken — did not enjoy this salty chicken breast meat at all.
Four Herbal Soup — chock full of innards and strong in taste. Not a huge fan.
Iced Royal Milk Tea — yum!
So two things:
1. The prices are unbeatable. Braised pork rice for HKD 27 is fantastic value for money. I don’t think I’ve ever had a cheaper lunch in Hong Kong that wasn’t street food. Well technically I guess this was (Taiwanese) street food, but I didn’t feel like I was eating on the street. The place is small but comfortable.
2. It was worth trying, but once is enough. I think the best thing about this place was the value for money. If I lived around here I’d probably get the braised pork rice and a milk tea for takeaway lunch once in awhile. If I’m in the area and craving a milk tea after a meal, I’ll probably stop by and grab & go.
That’s it.