Yuli Scallion Beef Noodle Soup | Hualien Signature Dish

Yuli Noodles are famous across Taiwan for their soy-sauce dry-tossed version, but locals often prefer a steaming bowl of scallion beef soup noodles. Clear pork-bone broth, thin-sliced beef, and a generous heap of scallion greens, paired with the distinctively springy Yuli noodle, fill the small shops along Minzu Road before dawn — construction crews already seated before 6 a.m. Affordable and substantial, it's the most everyday meal in the town of Yuli.

What are Yuli Scallion Beef Noodle Soup

Yuli Scallion Beef Noodle Soup is the soup noodle version from the Yuli noodle district, using the same alkaline round noodles as the dry-tossed variety — thin strands with real chew. The broth is simmered long and slow from pork bones and beef bones, coming out sweet and light rather than oily; the beef is typically shank or thinly sliced chuck flap, blanched to retain a rosy tenderness. The defining finishing touch is a large handful of fresh green scallions added just before serving. The result is clean and refreshing, with bright broth and tender meat — a completely different direction from the heavy, braised red-sauce beef noodles of northern Taiwan.

The Yuli noodle district is concentrated along Minzu Road and around the train station, where a decades-long tradition of noodle-centered local food culture has formed. Scallion beef soup noodles began as a practical breakfast and lunch option for farm and construction workers, later gaining visibility as tourism brought in more visitors. Yuli Township Office has incorporated Yuli Noodles into its official tourism promotion, and the old shops near the station typically have 20 to 30 years of history. On holidays, many visitors make the trip south by train from Hualien City specifically to pay homage to this "noodle mecca," and scallion beef noodles are almost always on the must-order list.

How to eat it the authentic way

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Rise early for the first broth of the dayMost old shops open between 6 and 7 a.m., and the first broth of the day is the clearest and sweetest. The crowd is heaviest before noon; on weekends, aim to arrive before 11 a.m. to avoid waiting.

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Ask for extra scallion, skip the chiliThe scallion is the soul of this bowl — when ordering, tell the shop to add a little more. For those who like clean flavors, skip the chili oil; the natural sweetness of the bone broth comes through best without it.

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Order both dry and soup noodlesThe local way is one bowl of the signature dry noodles paired with a bowl of clear beef broth soup. The dry noodles carry the soy-sauce fragrance; the clear soup delivers fresh brightness. Order small portions and you won't be overfull.

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Take the train and enjoy a quick stopThe noodle district is a five-minute walk from Yuli Train Station. Many visitors plan a brief stop in Yuli — finish eating, then catch the next train — making the timing easy to manage.

Local know-how

Verified endorsements

The Yuli noodle district is listed in the official tourism information of Yuli Township Office and is recognized as a representative food landmark in southern Hualien County.
Shops commonly have 20 to 40 or more years of history; scallion beef soup noodles appear on the menu at every shop in the district — no single establishment has an exclusive claim.
Yuli Noodles use specially made alkaline round noodles supplied by a local noodle factory; the texture is noticeably different from other noodle dishes found elsewhere in Hualien.

Practical tips

Most shops are closed on Monday or Tuesday; call ahead before making the trip to avoid a wasted journey.
Parking is scarce on weekends; use the Yuli Train Station parking lot and walk from there.
Some old shops do not accept card payment; bring cash to be safe.

Data source: Yuli Township Office tourism information, compiled from local food reviews. Photos will be replaced after Dio's on-site shoot.

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