這家傳統市場旁的小吃攤，看起來舊舊髒髒的，但是每到了用餐時間，店前的座位區都坐滿客人了，我看過這景象很多遍了，剛好，今天看到有空位，趕緊去卡個位，店名寫的是阿貴大腸麵線，大腸麵線一定是老闆的拿手項目，理論上，我也應該點大腸麵線才對，但是，最近天氣實在是太悶熱，我實在是不想點個大腸麵線，吃得一身汗，只好點份炒麵。
小吃攤很小，完全沒有店內空間，只要外面擺幾個座位，老闆是對年齡很老的一對夫妻，我猜他們應該有超過六十歲了，兩個人都很瘦小，只要大漢輕推一下，就會摔倒，看著他們忙裡忙外，又是備料出餐、結帳及整理座位，真是幸苦啊！客人其實比想像中多，大部分客人都是外帶，而且好像很多都是熟客，只有很少數的客人選擇內用。
不久，我的炒麵就上來了，麵體是黃澄澄的油麵，灑上些肉燥增添風味，我看到桌上的辣椒醬，我立刻擠出一些，增添一些辣度，此外，我剛買了附近的北投紅茶，超大杯只要二十五元台幣，真是解渴消暑的好選擇，一口麵、一口紅茶，吃得很舒服，而其它客人幾乎都點大腸麵線加一碗熱湯，看他們吃得滿頭汗，但是表情是滿足的，假如，之後有機會，我應該會試試看這家店的大腸麵線吧。
在等我的餐點時，我稍稍的研究一下店家的菜單，發現真是超級便宜的，肉燥飯只要二十五元台幣，我還以為我看錯價錢了，豬血湯只要二十元台幣，這好像是十多年前的物價水準，這家店不會都沒有調漲價錢吧，我的媽呀！難怪每次經過這家店時，幾乎座無虛席，沒想到這種良心店家，還能夠繼續生存下去，但是，看看老闆夫妻的狀況及年紀，我想，他們應該把這家店，當作他們的一生志業在做，做的他們生命中的最後那天為止吧。
There’s this little food stall next to the traditional market that looks pretty old and kind of grimy, but every time I walk by during mealtimes, it’s always packed. I’ve seen this scene so many times. Today, I just happened to spot an empty seat, so I quickly grabbed it. The sign says “Ah-Guei’s Large Intestine Vermicelli”, so I figured that’s probably their specialty. Logically, I should’ve ordered Large Intestine Vermicelli, but with how hot and humid it’s been lately, I really didn’t feel like eating a steaming bowl of noodles and sweating all over, so I just went with the fried noodles instead.
The stall is really small. There’s no indoor space at all, just a few seats set up outside. The owners are an elderly couple, probably well over sixty. They’re both really skinny, like a gentle push from a bigger guy might knock them over. Watching them hustle around preparing ingredients, cooking, taking orders, collecting money, and cleaning tables… it’s honestly pretty tough work. There were actually more customers than I expected, most of them getting takeout. It seemed like a lot of regulars. Only a few people, like me, chose to eat there.
My fried noodles came out not long after. The noodles were a bright yellow from the oil, topped with a bit of braised pork for extra flavor. I spotted the chili sauce on the table and squeezed out a bit to spice it up. I’d also just bought a giant cup of Beitou black tea from a nearby shop for just NT$25. It was super refreshing and perfect for the heat. A bite of noodles, a sip of tea… it was simple, but it really hit the spot. Most of the other customers were eating the signature large intestine vermicelli with a bowl of hot soup, sweating buckets but looking completely satisfied. I thought to myself, maybe I’ll try that next time when the weather cools down a bit.
While I was waiting for my food, I took a closer look at the menu and was shocked at how cheap everything was. A bowl of braised pork rice was only NT$25. I thought I’d misread it! And the pig’s blood soup was just NT$20. These prices felt like they were from over a decade ago. I was amazed that they hadn’t raised their prices. No wonder there are always so many customers. It’s incredible that a place this affordable still exists. But looking at the elderly couple running the stall, I get the feeling they see this as more than just a job. It’s their life’s work. Something they’ll keep doing until their very last day.
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