Taiwan Food Atlas

Cat-Mouse Noodles

A century-old shop's shrimp-ball and dried-flounder broth over oil noodles — the name comes from the founder's nickname
📍 Changhua · Changhua City · Chenglong Road🏆 Landmark · Noodles🍜 Dried-flounder shrimp broth, egg crisp and minced pork — three hallmarks

On Chenglong Road, a hand-brushed sign reads "Cat-Mouse Noodles." From the large pot at the door rises the scent of dried flounder and shrimp. A bowl arrives: golden egg crisp floating on the surface, below it minced pork oil noodles and braised shrimp balls. One sip of the broth — clear and sweetly savory. Four generations, a century unchanged — this is the noodle soup of Changhua memory.

What is Cat-Mouse Noodles

Cat-Mouse Noodles involves no cat or mouse. It is the signature noodle soup of the century-old shop called "Cat-Mouse Noodles." The broth is simmered long with dried flounder, shrimp shells, and pork bones — clear yet intensely savory. It is served with oil noodles and house-made minced pork, topped with braised shrimp balls and golden egg crisp. The egg crisp is the soul of the bowl: egg is drizzled into hot oil and erupts into light, airy golden flakes that settle on the broth and absorb its flavor — a technique rarely seen in other noodle soups.

The Changhua County Government Tourism website lists Cat-Mouse Noodles as one of the "Three Treasures of Changhua" with a dedicated page. The shop's name comes from the founder's nickname, "Little Mouse," earned for his quick, nimble movements; customers started calling the shop "Little Mouse's Noodles," which over time became "Cat-Mouse Noodles" — the dish has nothing to do with either animal. Founded in the 1920s and now in its fourth generation, it is one of the few noodle shops in Changhua City that can genuinely be called a century-old establishment.

How to eat it the local way

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Drink the plain broth firstDon't stir yet — scoop a spoonful of the clear broth with the egg crisp still floating on top and experience the natural sweetness drawn from dried flounder and shrimp shells.
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Bite the shrimp ballsThe braised shrimp balls are hand-shaped; when you bite into one you'll feel shrimp meat and water chestnut pieces — don't swallow them whole, chew them properly.
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Stir the egg crisp into the noodlesOnce the egg crisp has soaked up the broth and softened slightly, use your chopsticks to fold it into the noodles so every strand is coated in its fragrance.
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Add braised toppingsLong-standing shops typically offer braised eggs, fried tofu, and kelp on the side — a natural pairing with the soup noodles and the standard order for regulars.

Local knowledge

Objective endorsements (ad-free)

  • The Changhua County Government Tourism website lists Cat-Mouse Noodles as one of the "Three Treasures of Changhua," with a dedicated page.
  • The original Cat-Mouse Noodles was founded in the 1920s, has passed through four generations over a century, and is one of Changhua City's few genuine century-old noodle shops.
  • The shop's name originates from the founder's nickname "Little Mouse" — a common point of confusion that this guide clarifies.

Practical tips

  • Most shops operate from noon to early evening; queues during busy hours are common, so consider avoiding the midday peak.
  • Chenglong Road is in central Changhua City; you can walk to Changhua Confucius Temple, Bagua Mountain, and the Changhua Roundhouse for a half-day itinerary.
  • Coordinates are approximate field-research values. Rely on in-person signage; there are shops sharing similar names nearby — note the location of the original.

Data compiled from the Changhua County Government Tourism website, Lukang Township Office, and a large volume of public reviews; promotional listings have been filtered out. Photos will be replaced with exclusive channel footage after Dio's field shoot.

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