Happy Stony Noodle — Restaurant in New York

12/23/23 Update - Looks like the restaurant got renovated! They got new tables and the lighting is much better.

We walked in at a weird time between lunch and dinner, so we got a seat of our choosing. The restaurant was dimly lit, and the tables had this weird bumpy cracked texture to it, which was a bit off-putting but I was here to eat and not buy furniture so it was trivial in the grand scheme of things.

I ordered the Beef Noodle Soup like everyone else, and it delivered.

The broth is definitely more on the clearer side, compared to other, darker and richer beef noodle soups I've had (E.g. Noodlecraft's Braised Beef noodle soup) so it's lighter and more drinkable as a result.

The beef in the noodle soup was super tender and flavorful. I threw in some of the pickled cabbage they have at every table and it was a good combo. I would definitely order this again, especially now since the weather is getting colder.

I also got their salt and pepper chicken and their lu rou fan, which were both pretty standard. I wish the lu rou fan was saucier, but it was pretty decent and I think they give more meat compared to Taiwanese Gourmet (but you pay more so the math works out).

What really sealed the deal for me was how nice our waiter was about answering all our questions about the food, even offering to make the cold cucumber appetizer with more garlic, which is how I like it.

I would come again, I really like the food and all you can eat...

This has been my go-to Taiwanese place whenever I'm in town; however, I think my loyalty to this restaurant is wearing out.

I went in for a takeout as usual and I had the cash ready. To my chagrin I was told a higher amount due than expected. The owner/manager immediately reacted to my reaction: "Let me give you an updated takeout menu". So the prices of most items on the menu have gone up. To add insult to injury, the takeout containers were now shallower and the division between the compartments were the size of the Panama Canal (see photo)! I know restaurants are cut-throat business, but I am sure the latest maneuver must have turned away many old timers, including myself. For that I am taking away 1 star.

I would still come back for the "#32 Taiwanese Style Pork Soup" (肉羹) which is a well known Taiwanese snack. If Stinky Tofu and Oyster Pancake are too exotic for you, and Minced Pork Rice and Salt & Pepper Chicken Nuggets seem like a cop-out (too safe), then this could be your middle of the road pick for Taiwanese cuisine. The English name doesn't do the dish justice. The soup is thick and infused with bonito flakes and the pork is coated with grounded fish paste, yielding a very tender and addicting texture. Topped with cilantro, and you have a...

Delicious beef noodle soup spot I stumbled into by accident one hungry afternoon.

This place is cash only, good thing I asked before I started ordering. Only had $20 on me, so I got the beef noodle soup and cucumber. Everything was delicious, the beef was super tender, the broth was flavorful but not overwhelming or greasy at all. Cucumber was just my attempt to get more veggies in, it was crisp and refreshing.

Went back a second time armed with more cash and got a bunch more dishes to try. The beef noodle soup is still my favorite. I took one to go for my picky little brother and he inhaled the whole thing in under 10 minutes. While the noodle soup is probably best eaten at the restaurant, it was still good after 30 minutes in the container. They pack the noodles, beef and broth separately so the noodles don’t get too soggy.

Menu is in both English and Chinese. They also speak both languages in there, so it doesn’t matter if you don’t speak Chinese. This place is worth a visit to try authentic Taiwanese style cuisine.

One thing to note is that they make stinky tofu at this restaurant. I’ve tried it before when I went to Taiwan and it wasn’t my favorite. Be aware that the smell can be pretty strong if anyone at another...