WHAT WE ATE
- Clear Shio Chicken Chintan Ramen 澄玉鹽味雞清湯 – 80/100, Taichung, 5 October 2026
- Fish Rich Toripaitan Ramen 魚介厚濤雞白湯 – 95/100, Taichung, 5 October 2026
Located in Taichung, Taiwan, You Xi Ramen (有囍拉麵) has earned an enduring reputation as one of the island’s premier destinations for artisan chicken-based broth (Tori Paitan). Renowned for its disciplined approach to extraction and texture, the shop operates with a devotion to batch consistency and culinary precision, attracting dedicated ramen enthusiasts who queue daily for a taste of its signature bowls.
The kitchen’s identity revolves around a deeply rich, collagen-heavy chicken soup achieved through hours of controlled boiling, alongside hyper-limited seasonal specials that showcase creative ingredient pairings and alternative broth foundations. Each bowl is meticulously constructed, balancing dense, emulsified broths with custom-tailored noodles and thoughtfully prepared proteins such as low-temperature sous-vide chicken breast and rolled pork chashu.
Beyond its culinary execution, You Xi Ramen is celebrated for its intimate counter-seating atmosphere and uncompromising dedication to the craft. By prioritizing raw ingredient quality, structural balance, and precise temperature control, the establishment continues to set a high benchmark for craft ramen in Taichung’s competitive dining scene.
Clear Shio Chicken Chintan Ramen: 80/100
Noodle: 30/35
The medium-thin, straight strands arrive with an inviting visual structure. Ordered firm, the initial bite yields a slightly softer resistance than requested, yet it maintains a resilient, springy elasticity with a medium-hydration balance. The mouthfeel is snappy and clean, demonstrating a respectable tensile bounce as you chew. Flavour-wise, the noodle exhibits a clean wheat profile underpinned by a neutral alkaline note. Though a touch more firm bite would have elevated the textural integrity, the execution remains technically solid.
Soup: 25/35
The broth presents a carefully balanced chicken chintan profile. The head opens with a delicate, lightly savoury note, immediately followed by a clean, aromatic coat of rendered chicken oil across the palate. In the body, the soup expands into a rich yet remarkably unburdened poultry character, delivering comforting warmth rather than explosive complexity. As the bowl progresses, the tail leaves a lingering chicken aroma, though subtle traces of alkaline notes leeched from the submerged noodles begin to register on the finish. While not an aggressively layered or loud broth, it functions effectively as a harmonious, well-calibrated unit.
Meat: 20/20
The bowl features a well-executed dual-protein combination that showcases technical control across two distinct cuts. The pork slice is thin and marbled with balanced fat distribution; prepared sous-vide style, it delivers a springy, juicy mouthfeel with a lightly savoury, subtly smoky profile reminiscent of cured ham. The chicken chintan hero piece is cut into a medium-thick, lean slice that remains soft, tender, and remarkably juicy. The seasoning on the chicken is exceptionally light, allowing the natural umami and unadulterated flavour of the poultry to shine through, punctuated by a delicate dusting of black pepper around the edges for a faint piquant lift.
Other Toppings: 5/10
- Boiled spinach is vegetal but falls flat, rendered somewhat overcooked and devoid of structural bite.
- Bamboo shoot cubes deliver a juicy burst of savoury, sweet, and umami notes with a fruity undertone, though certain pieces suffer from overly fibrous, woody end-strands.
- Diced red onion adds a sharp, piquant crunch that injects necessary moisture and cuts through the soup’s lipid layer.
- Ajitama egg is precisely executed, featuring a balanced marination depth and an ideal custard-like yolk texture.
Summary
A restrained, comforting chicken chintan that prioritises balance and clean protein execution over bold, aggressive flavours.
Fish Rich Toripaitan Ramen: 95/100
Noodle: 30/35
The medium-thin, straight noodles are served at the exact requested softness, demonstrating precision. The mouthfeel hits a sweet spot between medium-hydration springiness, a snappy bite, and just enough gentle sponginess to cling to the liquid. Taste-wise, a clean, neutral alkaline presence lets the natural wheat profile shine. Crucially, the structure and absorption rate of these noodles make them a far superior pairing for a broth of this intensity compared to lighter soups.
Soup: 35/35
An absolute powerhouse of a broth that hits all the right marks for depth and impact. The head opens immediately with a distinct, chalky punch of concentrated bonito. As it rolls into the body, the soup expands into an intense, velvety umami bomb; luxuriously thick and naturally sweet from the collagen-heavy chicken paitan base, intermingling seamlessly with the punchy seafood mix. The finish leaves a persistent, lingering bonito aroma on the palate. Highly complex and multi-layered, it strikes an ideal interplay between poultry richness and oceanic depth.
Meat: 20/20
The bowl features the same stellar dual-protein setup, holding up remarkably well even against the intense broth.
- Pork: Thinly sliced and nicely marbled, cooked sous-vide style to maintain a springy, juicy bite. The flavour is lightly savoury with a delicate, ham-like smokiness.
- Chicken: A medium-thick, lean slice that remains tender, soft, and remarkably juicy. Lightly seasoned with a subtle peppery edge, allowing the natural, unadulterated umami of the chicken to shine through.
Other Toppings: 10/10
- Boiled Spinach: Vegetal and soft, offering a gentle break between richer bites.
- Bamboo Shoot Cubes: Deliver a juicy burst of savoury-sweet, fruity umami, though a few pieces lean slightly fibrous.
- Red Onion: Sharp and juicy, providing a crisp, piquant crunch that cuts through the heavy lipid layers.
- Marinated Egg: Perfectly executed with an ideal custard-like yolk and balanced marination.
- Lime Slice: Adds a bright, citrusy zesty lift just enough to weave a subtle fruity sourness into the heavy broth without overwhelming it.
- Grated Ginger: Injects a warm, earthy kick that rounds out the finish and resets the palate between sips.
Summary
A masterclass in balanced intensity, where a rich, multi-layered chicken and seafood broth meets thoughtful, refreshing toppings that keep every bite dynamic.
DISCLAIMER
One man’s meat is another man’s poison.
Find out more about our palettes and how we evaluate our ramen here. 😉
