taiwanese beef soup noodles - part 2

Since I took a month long trip to Taiwan, I am inspired by what Taiwanese do with their beef soup noodles. I am now more willing to let the hair down when preparing beef soup noodles. I would never guess that sesame seed oil work but now I am a believer.

a tale of a piece of cod

This is a tale of a piece of cod that was utilized to the fullest. It is a piece of Alaska lingcod that I bought from an Asian market. I have long since given up buying frozen cods as they are always disappointing, in that the precious fish is wasted. It has been more and more difficult to buy good quality fish. I only know of one shop in Portland that I can count on now. While grocery shopping I bought a piece that is slightly over 2 pounds taken from the tail section.

slack season’s danzi noodle 度小月擔仔麵 - part 2

Today I put a little more effort into making my reinterpretation of this delightful snack. Again I have no intention to replicate the dish but to be inspired by it, and using the ingredients that I happen to have. The main difference of today's bowl is I made a proper but simple broth from a piece of Alaska cod bone left over from filleting. I also collected some shrimp shells and thew them into the stock too. It is just a little quantity of stock.

slack season’s danzi noodle 度小月擔仔麵

One interesting little bowl of noodles that I encountered in Tainan is slack season’s danzi noodle (度小月擔仔麵). The origin of this bowl of noodle snack piqued my curiosity. The restaurant that I first came across it prepare the noodle in the open, as a showcase which it built its fame. It claims to be the original invention of the dish.

taiwanese beef soup noodles - part 1

I just spent a month in Taiwan, and covered all the main cities. Call it around Formosa in 30 days if you would. As with most trips I took advantage to explore the countries cuisine. I had been to Taiwan before but only on a business trip. You cannot go to Taiwan without trying their noodles dishes and beef soup noodles is one.

slow braised red grouper in sake 紅燒紅石斑

I went back to 99 Ranch Market to do a bit more shopping fun. I was eager to find out some products from Taiwan that have been mostly unobtainable here in Portland, Oregon. This time I made a point of touring the entire store. I skip the usual junk food and ready made frozen food. I wanted to take stock of what they have and what they don't have. I would really like to find some good cooking wine from Taiwan, but I knew they most likely don't have any.