A Dumpling Feast by the Railroad Crossing in Toucheng Township – Lucky Soup Dumpling

Since we didn’t have lunch, after enjoying the scenic views of the Northeast Coast of Taiwan and Turtle Island in the afternoon, we parked near Toucheng Sesame Noodles in Toucheng Township, Yilan County, intending to grab some snacks. However, it was closed, so we headed to Lucky Soup Dumplings(Jixiang-Xiao-Long-Bao), located by the railroad crossing on Jixiang Road. This place is said to be a branch of the well-known Zhenghao Fresh Meat Soup Dumplings in Yilan City, so we walked over immediately.

From afar, we spotted the sign. Although it was getting dark, the inside was already packed with customers enjoying their meals. Lucky Soup Dumplings has a simple menu: small soup dumplings, hot and sour soup, soy milk, black tea, and milk tea.

Right by the store, the railroad crossing gate had just come down. I quickly grabbed my phone to record, as it’s been a while since I’ve seen a train pass so close in Yilan.

We arrived around 4:00 PM, just in time for a spot to open up as some customers left. We ordered three baskets of small soup dumplings, and after about 15 minutes, the first basket arrived. Since we both enjoy spicy food, we added chili sauce right away—a must for us. While waiting, my family noticed that the owner looked very much like one of the sisters from Zhenghao Fresh Meat Soup Dumplings in Yilan City. She likely opened this shop with her husband after marriage.

The two of us shared three plates of Lucky Soup Dumplings, with each plate containing 10 dumplings. To eat them, we carefully placed the dumpling on a spoon, as they were hot. After poking a small hole, we sipped the soup slowly to enjoy the full flavor, as it tasted just like Zhenghao’s famous dumplings in Yilan City.

Before leaving, we took a photo of the shop run by this hardworking couple. Their efforts resulted in thin-skinned, juicy soup dumplings that don’t easily break. We were glad to visit on a rainy weekday and outside regular mealtimes, so we didn’t have to wait in line.