Lin Ji (林記): boneless milkfish soup and minced pork rice, a 3-minute walk from Houshanpi Station

Lin Ji's Taipei main store is at No. 27, Zhongpo N. Rd. in Xinyi, about 3 minutes from Exit 1 of Houshanpi MRT. From our building, cross Zhongxiao E. Rd. and Zhongpo N. Rd. is right across.

The menu on the wall says "the true taste of the old capital", and the old capital is Tainan. It is open 11 am to 2:30 pm and 5 pm to 8:30 pm, closed in between.

Milkfish is full of fine bones. Here the bones are taken out first, but a few small ones may still be left, so eat carefully. When you order, show the staff the box below.

There is fish ball soup, fish skin soup, fish belly soup, fish head soup and oyster soup. If you want it all, order the mixed soup (綜合湯): fish balls, fish skin and fish meat in one bowl. The broth is clear, with ginger, celery and fried shallots, and tastes fresh.

The oyster soup is just as light, with plenty of oysters. For a bigger meal, order congee instead. The signature is fish belly congee.

For rice there is minced pork rice and shredded chicken rice, plus set meals with side dishes: braised pork belly, pork chop, chicken leg and braised fish belly. The minced pork rice comes in a small bowl, topped with fish floss, just right with the fish soup.

Side dishes include braised napa cabbage, braised tofu, blanched greens and bamboo shoots. The cabbage is cooked soft, with shiitake. The tofu and eggs are braised dark brown and topped with sauce. For more, there is braised fish head, fried shrimp rolls and cod steak.

On a first visit, get one soup or congee, one minced pork rice and a side dish or two. Every dish on the menu wall has a photo, so you can just point.

Lin Ji is about a 3-minute walk from Houshanpi Station, easy for lunch or dinner. Our Houshanpi suites are right on top of the station, so the MRT is just an elevator ride down. Stays start at 30 days, the rooms come furnished, and you can move in with just a suitcase.