Torikin Ramen

Menya Torikin (麵屋雞金Miàn wū jī jīn) is a small ramen chain with three branches in Taipei, all built around the same thing: a chicken broth simmered long enough to turn rich and nearly creamy. The name reads as "golden chicken," the tori paitan, a white chicken broth, is the bowl most people come for, though the menu also includes a seafood shoyu and a spicy miso. The order to know is the tori paitan with a soft-boiled egg, served with chicken and pork chashu, scallion, and diced red onion.

What separates Torikin from most ramen shops in the city is when it closes. All three branches stay open until 3 AM, with last orders at 2:30 AM, which makes it one of the few places in Taipei to sit down to a proper meal late at night rather than settle for convenience-store food.

Ordering is done at a ticket machine just inside the door. It's worth knowing beforehand that the machine is in Chinese only and takes cash, and that everyone seated is expected to order at least one bowl. After you pay, you hand the ticket to a server, who will ask how firm you'd like your noodles. Most bowls include a free noodle refill and a meat upsize — if you take the extra noodles, save some broth and they'll cook a fresh portion for you partway through. Check out our guide linked below to get the full low-down on how to order.