Yi noodles (意麵) are a classic Tainan specialty, and I had been eager to try them ever since I started planning my trip. I heard about a version that includes Asian swamp eel, which sounded intriguing. Naturally, I decided to visit A Jiang Eel Noodles (阿江炒鱔魚), a shop renowned for its swamp eel Yi noodles.
Although there was a line of people waiting, most of them were ordering TO GO. This meant I didn’t have to wait long for a seat. The shop is entirely outdoors but covered by a roof, giving it a nostalgic and local charm.
The red slices in the dish are Asian swamp eel! In Taiwanese, they are called 鱔魚. At first glance, they might not look appealing, but they turned out to be unexpectedly light and flavorful. The dish completely changed my perception of this unique ingredient.
When the staff realized I was Japanese, they kindly showed me a piece of Japanese writing and asked, “Soup or no soup?” The shop offers two main types of Yi noodles: soup-based and stir-fried. They also serve a rice noodle version with swamp eel.
I opted for the Swarm eel Yi noodles with soup. After placing my order, I paid at the counter and was quickly served a small bowl. While the portion wasn’t very filling, it was perfect for sampling the dish. Interestingly, I noticed some couples sharing a single bowl, perhaps because they were planning to visit other eateries afterward.
The soup was thick and slightly sweet with a touch of spiciness, which balanced the dish beautifully. The curly Yi noodles absorbed the flavors of the broth, making each bite incredibly satisfying.
Surprisingly, the swamp eel had no fishy smell. Its texture was similar to that of white fish, like red sea bream. When raw, the eel is red, but it turns black after cooking—a curious transformation that adds to its charm.
While the shop’s modest appearance might require a bit of courage to enter, the delicious Yi noodles and swamp eel make it worth the visit.
About
Name A Jiang Eel noodles (阿江炒鱔魚)
Open Lunch, Dinner
Reservation Unavailable
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