Wang’s Broth Taipei — Restaurant in Wanhua District

If you’ve ever wondered what it feels like to be seduced by a bowl of rice, allow me to introduce you to Wang’s Broth, Taipei’s humble temple of porky goodness, Michelin-anointed and absolutely deserving of every star, accolade, and dramatic gasp I let out while chewing.

I arrived just before opening like an overeager foodie ninja, hoping to beat the crowds. I’m not saying I was the first person there, but I definitely gave the staff “oh no, they’re already here?” energy. Worth it. This place has had a Michelin star for six years running (?), and after one bite, I understood. The star isn’t just for show, it’s a GPS location and beacon for your tastebuds to follow.

Ordering is as easy as breathing- or in this case, drooling. A table at the entrance is stacked with order slips in multiple languages. You tick what you want, no guesswork, no awkward pointing, no shame. The staff knows you’re here to eat and not chat about your feelings. You hand over your sacred slip, and a few minutes later—bam! Food appears like magic. No fanfare. No speeches. Just pork, rice, and destiny.

The menu is refreshingly simple: stewed pork or braised pork. Two dishes, one mission... to ruin all other meals for you. The stewed pork is a thick, luscious slice of pork belly, the kind that glistens under the light like it’s posing for a food magazine centerfold. Fat, skin, meat; layered like a perfect porky tiramisu. It melted in my mouth in a way that made me reconsider all past life decisions. I would fight someone for another piece. Politely, but firmly, of course...

Then there’s the braised pork: minced pork belly in a slightly different sauce. Good, hearty, a little more casual. Honestly, the stewed pork was clearly the main event, and the braised pork felt like the attractive and emotionally available side character in a K-drama. Comforting. Reliable. There if you need it. Whereas the stewed pork is the  emotionally unavailable character that you had for the one night stand that you yearn to come back to.

To round it out, I added boiled cabbage for fiber (yes, I have goals) and a duck egg, because balance is about contrasting a rich pork belly with something vaguely healthy-looking. The portions are small-ish, which I loved because it meant I could shamelessly order two mains and pretend I was “sampling” rather than “spiraling.”

The best part... The price. A small portion of stewed pork ala cart is just 70 NTD. My whole meal: two rice bowls, side egg, and a side of cabbage came in under 200 NTD. That’s less than $6 USD for a Michelin-star moment that made me whisper, “I’d marry this pig.”I don’t know what the Taiwanese equivalent of “mama mia!” is, but I’m pretty sure I shouted it. Wang’s Broth, you glorious meat wizard—take my money, take my soul, take my arteries. Just never take...

In the heart of Huaxi Night Market, where the whispers of history intertwine with the aroma of sizzling delicacies, there exists a culinary symphony that transcends mere sustenance—it is an ode to tradition, a testament to resilience, and a celebration of the human spirit. Amidst the hustle and bustle, there lies a gem known as Wang's Broth, where the essence of time-honored recipes meets the alchemy of flavors, giving rise to an unparalleled sensation: the heavenly delight of braised pork rice.

In each succulent morsel, one can taste the echoes of generations past, a legacy steeped in the rich tapestry of Huaxi's heritage. Once a red district adorned with the vibrant allure of nocturnal indulgence and the mystique of snake vendors, Huaxi Night Market has evolved into a sanctuary of gastronomic wonders, where the past converges with the present in a harmonious dance.

As the savory aroma wafts through the air, it beckons the weary traveler to partake in a journey of the senses—a journey that transcends the mundane and ventures into the realm of the sublime. With each bite, one is transported to a realm where time stands still, and the soul finds solace in the simple pleasures of life.

For in the sanctum of Wang's Broth, every ingredient tells a story, every simmering pot is a cauldron of memories, and every dish is a masterpiece in its own right. It is here, amidst the flickering lanterns and the chorus of laughter, that one discovers the true essence of Huaxi Night Market—a place where tradition meets innovation, where history is preserved, and where the spirit of resilience thrives.

So let us raise our chopsticks in salute to the culinary artisans of Huaxi, whose passion and dedication have transformed humble ingredients into gastronomic poetry. And as we savor the velvety tenderness of braised pork rice, let us remember that in every bite lies a revelation—a revelation of the beauty that emerges when heritage and innovation intertwine, and when the past, present, and future converge in...

TLDR: Don’t support businesses who are unkind (which I believe is an extremely small percentage but this shop is clearly MEAN and UNKIND).

This place is truly the nightmare of Taiwan. Extremely disappointing. The beauty of Taiwan has been 人情味 but the service here has greatly demolished any faith in Taiwanese being kind and welcoming.

They listed on their shopfront that they close at 8pm. As such, at 747pm, we ordered to go. By 757pm, we have yet to receive our food and realized that the shop continues to operate. As we’ve already paid for 5-6 dishes, we thought to ask if we can eat on a table, politely. Instead, we received a completely uncalled for reaction from the lady who wanted to chase us (even though we already paid and were waiting for our food). We politely asked if they were closing and she rudely said they close at 840pm (odd timing). We then said “your shop states you close at 8pm hence we thought we had to takeaway. Can we eat here?” She insisted it was IMPOSSIBLE. That is obviously odd and just being clear that this business does not have ANY heart.

They also charge us more for takeaways - we were ok to eat from plastic bags (yes not bowls) but just needed a table. It’s a complete lack of kindness and humanity, which makes a business so distasteful. If you have a chance to let people eat properly, yet you insist not to, it is clear that you are not rigid but you are unkind.

為什麼對自己放的營業時間這麼不負責任？為什麼對客人，旅客這麼不善良？為什麼這麼欺負捧場的客人？你的營業時間影響客人的點餐，客人沒發脾氣你卻對他們不善良。真的太過分了。

I find it sad that many are drawn to spend money here to support businesses who are mean. Id much rather support small and sincere businesses. Will NEVER return and...