Taiwan Cafe, Hidden in Rain—A Laid-Back Owner’s Homestyle Flavors Keep

Pokhara’s rain hits without warning. That day, fresh off the ABC trek with mud-caked (pant legs), I got stuck in a downpour at an alley corner. Glancing up, I spotted a (crooked) wooden sign reading “Taiwan Cafe,” with warm yellow light glowing through the glass door. On a whim, I pushed it open—and little did I know, this would become a “luck lottery” I’d chase for the next four or five days. 🌧️ A Homestyle Surprise in the Rain: Beef Noodle Soup with Taiwanese Mom Warmth The first time I stepped in, a faint herbal aroma hung in the air. The owner, a Taiwanese uncle in black-rimmed glasses, was crouching by the stove, skimming foam from a pot of beef broth. Hearing the door, he turned with a smile: “Hiding from the rain? Come in—just finished stewing the beef.” His wife was picking vegetables nearby, and four kids huddled around a small table: the youngest boy a computer playing games, a older girl in a school uniform carried to the table, her voice crisp: “What would you like, sister? Beef noodle soup?” When the beef noodle soup arrived, the edge of the thick porcelain bowl still held warmth. The broth was clear and bright, dotted with (emerald) scallions; underneath, the noodles were hand-rolled, thick and round, chewy with a satisfying bounce. The beef chunks were cut into squares, stewed until tender—one poke with chopsticks, and they fell apart, their meaty aroma mixed with a hint of angelica, the kind of warmth only home-cooked broth has. The side dishes were a delight: a plate of pickled cucumber, crisp with garlic; a plate of braised tofu, soaked through with savory flavor. The added more to my bowl: “Tired from trekking? Eat more—it’s on the house.” It was just a small shop, but stepping in felt like walking into a Taiwanese neighbor’s kitchen. No fancy decor—wallpaper printed with Taipei 101, kids’ backpacks piled in the corner, the gurgle of the soup pot mixing with children’s laughter. Even the sound of rain hitting the windows turned gentle—this wasn’t just a noodle shop, but a sudden burst of warmth on a rainy day. 😮‍💨 Only Two Meals in Days of Chasing: The Owner’s “Laid-Back Hours” Are Too Casual I thought I’d be able to come every day, but the next day, I timed my visit for lunch—only to find the door locked. The aunt at the neighboring grocery store said: “Oh, them? They open when they feel like it, close to take the kids to the lake if they want.” The third time, I made it at noon, and finally caught the owner chopping meat. Wiping his hands, he laughed: “We only open five days a week, 11am to 2pm. The kids have school, and I need to help them with homework too.” That day, I ordered beef noodles again, this time with a marinated egg—its white soaked in broth, yolk soft as sand. The older girl cleared my bowl and said: “Dad says no need to rush with business. Family time matters most.” Over the next four days, I made a detour daily, hoping to get lucky—but struck out three times. Once, through the glass door, I saw the family having lunch: the little boy chased his sister with a chicken leg, the fed the owner a bite by the stove, warm light casting their shadows on the wall, like a slow-swaying painting. Suddenly, it didn’t matter that I’d missed the noodles—this “closed” sign felt more precious than any menu. 🍳 A Small Wish Before Leaving: Turning Every Menu Item into a Memory Now, my little notebook has their menu jotted down: besides beef noodles, there’s braised pork rice, tomato egg noodles, oyster omelet. The owner said next week “might open two days, might not,” but promised to save me an oyster omelet if they do. Today, passing by, I saw the little boy splashing in puddles outside. Spotting me, he yelled: “Dad says the beef noodles are stewing!” Rushing in, the aroma from the pot wafted over, and the added two extra spoonfuls of beef to my bowl: “Eat up—after, I’ll show you the kids’ drawings of Machhapuchhre.” Turns out, the best flavors are never in a hurry. Like this Taiwan Cafe, hidden in the rain—with just three hours of business a day, it simmers up homestyle flavors worth chasing. After all, broth with family warmth is the coziest thing there is. Hoping, before I leave, to turn every name in my notebook into a taste on my tongue. #PokharaFood #TaiwanCafe #BeefNoodleSoup #LaidBackOwner #PokharaEats