林東芳牛肉麵 is rated among the best Beef Noodles in all of Taipei.  Is it?

It’s a small store, and you can see all the action from the sidewalk.  Even a menacing stare from the Aunty for taking her picture even though you asked. Side dishes are lined up, and the place is small.  Really small.  I think there’s an addition where you an sit, but in the original place, when only that is open, it seats about 15 at the most.  So I sat at the metal stool and waited after I ordered.The order?  The special.  Half Beef Tendon and Half Beef Noodles, second from the right. I saw this on the counter, and I was curious.  Apparently it is “Beef Butter”.  Some fatty thing from cooking the beef.  You’re supposed to add it to the broth to make it richer and taste better.  More umami I guess. Here are my beef noodles!  They use the sliced beef, not the braised brisket style.  Soft and right on.  The tendon is also right on.  What a great dish of noodles.

I tried the broth without the “butter” and then added it.  It really makes a difference!  The broth tastes so much better with the “butter”, so you should try it with and without to see the difference.This is definitely a great choice!  A bit of a walk from the Metro, but it is still worth it!  Go during off hours so you don’t have to queue.