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    Flaming Ox

    4.4 (377 reviews)
    ModerateTaiwanese, Noodles, Soup
    Closed 11:30 am - 2:30 pm, 5:00 PM - 8:30 PM

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    Business Info

    FLAMING OX ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Happy hour specials
    Good for groups

    Recommended Reviews - Flaming Ox

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    Derek S.

    Came by for dinner the other night and it was a decent experience. Flaming Ox is located inside a strip mall with a private parking lot. The lot was 95% full on a weeknight... The restaurant was rather small and featured both indoor and outdoor dining. Ordering was done via QR code or with the staff. Started off with the popcorn chicken and the chicken was rather dry... bummer The blanched Veggies with fried garlic were quite tasty. The dry beef noodles were decent. Opted for the wide noodles and they were ok. Some of the noodles were stuck together. The half beef half tendons were fantastic. The beef tendons were super tender and the beef shank pieces were fantastic. The portions were gigantic...maybe better for sharing?

    Traditional Beef Noodle Soup [Mild Spicy] 紅燒牛肉麵 with a side of signature  chili oil
    Arnel E.

    Finally convinced my wife to check this place out. We frequent this complex often with nearby restaurants but we've always skipped Flaming Ox despite the good reviews. FYI, Parking could be a challenged during lunch rush so if you find a spot once you enter the lot from street, take it. I was craving for a warm soup on a chilly winter afternoon, so I got the Traditional Taiwanese Beef noodle soup with a side of their signature chili oil. My wife just got a side of Fried Pork Chop as we were sharing both dishes. My son got the Popcorn Chicken Rice Bowl Plate. This place was as I expected, but in a good way. All the dishes were 5 stars! The beef noodle soup was perfect, with a really flavorful broth and many large pieces of tender beef. The pork chop was crispy outside and juicy inside. The chicken also crispy with just the right amount of spices was delicious. The sides of signature chilly oil and seasoned egg that came with them made them better tasting. The Passion Fruit Green Tea and Jasmine Green Tea were refreshing cold drinks. I wish that they had hot tea on the menu though. The service was pretty quick with a very friendly crew. This moderately sized restaurant has a modest atmosphere with some nice wall artwork. I'd highly recommend checking this place out especially if you have the hankering for really good Taiwanese food!

    Traditional Beef Noodle Soup [Mild Spicy] 紅燒牛肉麵 with thick noodles 1/2 meat 1/2 tendon
    Anny L.

    Party of 2 came for late lunch on a Saturday and there was no wait. We ordered the popcorn chicken (medium), spicy wontons, beef noodle soup 1/2 tendon 1/2 meat, and chilled cucumbers. The popcorn chicken didn't have that traditional Taiwanese batter but it still had a nice crunch and medium is not spicy. The wonton filling is super juicy! Been noodle soup had a fantastic flavor, with the tendon and meat being so tender. Service was fast and super friendly. Definitely adding this spot as my new go-to for Taiwanese beef noodle soup.

    LeeLee C.

    A small shop that is solely focused on Taiwan beef noodle, broth or dry. There are some other Taiwanese dishes such as their fried pork chop rice, minced meat on rice, etc, but all in all, not a big menu and not a big shop. We came in for a late lunch and service was courteous and on time. Not that we need a lot of services since you order via the QR code and they gave us a big bottle of water for self water services. Food came quickly after the ordering and we were checked once during mid meal. I ordered the dry beef noodle and husband ordered the beef noodle soup. You can choose the type of noodle (thin or thick) and if you want more add on. To my pleasant surprise, the 3 pieces of beef shank that layered on the noodle were thick, but very well cooked that they were soft but not falling apart being picked up by the chopsticks. They were cooked with good flavors soaked in and yet not overcooked that the meat tasted dry and rough. It was wonderfully done. The veggie were chopped into smaller pieces and I skipped the pickles. The portion was just right for me. Although it came with a side chili oil, it was not too spicy and I could even handle it. The only thing I wasn't sure about is if the portion was good enough for my husband. The restaurant was designed with an open kitchen and you could see what was cooking behind the glass, though the food came so quickly that most people just devoured onto their food. Overall a much better experience than my last visit. If you just crave for a good Taiwanese beef noodle and not a comprehensive Taiwanese menu, this is the place to come.

    Mala Beef Noodle Soup [Spicy] 麻辣牛肉麵
    Liz P.

    I went here for dinner and always wanted to try the spicy beef noodle soup. I was wowed by the meat portion. It wasn't too spicy like I thought it would be but they'll give you condiments to suit your liking. Service was professional. They are very accommodating if you never had Taiwanese food before. It gets crowding so I don't think it's wheelchair accessible unless they move chairs and tables for you. I'm pretty sure they will move it for you. It's very modern looking.

    Popcorn Chicken w/ Basil 鹽酥雞
    Emily N.

    Nice restaurant, service is good. They have a student discount and also a lunch deal menu but I don't think it's really more worth it than ordering normally. I thought they'd come with large size noodles bowls but they're medium. I like the dry noodles more than soup, even though the dry noodles probably need a little more sauce... fried pork chops were great! No bones

    Art L.

    Best beef shank stew noodles soup in sf South Bay. Not sure how the owners make money when generous pieces of beef shank are in one soup bowl. It's the right amount of tender without being chewy and having enough texture so it doesn't fall apart! Wow... delicious. The flavors are subdued but tasty. I sometimes (like this time) ordered a combo beef shank with tendons. Their tendons are pretty good. Tender. As for the soups, one can select the spicy levels. There are also condiment sauces on the table for you to adjust to your preference. I usually prefer & choose the thin noodles, which are just done right... tender but chewy. One can choose thick flat noodles that I haven't tried. There are appetizers that I tried before. Most are ok. I didn't like onion pancake which is deep fried; I prefer pan fried. But if u like deep fried, it tastes pretty good. Also tried tofu with pickled egg; I don't prefer the spicy sauce; otherwise, it's pretty good. As you can see from dining room pic, it's clean & simple set up. The right place for a simple quick meal. Recommended. 4.5 stars rounded up, with good service.

    Traditional Beef Noodle Soup Mild Spicy
    Quynh T.

    I got the thick noodles for the traditional beef noodle soup and it wasn't a good choice. The noodles weren't cooked well or enough since they were too tough to chew when it first came out. I had to wait and keep my noodles submerged in the hopes it would get softer after a couple of minutes. Although it became more manageable to eat, it was still chewier than what I would prefer. Next time, I would get the thin noodles. The meat broth and beef were the best part of the dish. The broth was rich but not heavy while the beef was tender. You also order from the QR code on the table so there isn't much to say about the service.

    Spinach with fried onions
    Robert K.

    After visiting Christmas at the Park, I was craving for some hot beef noodle soup. Decided to try out Flaming Ox in San Jose. It's a Taiwanese restaurant specializing in noodle soup and rice plates. I started with the spinach with fried onions and onion pancakes. The veggie portions were small. The onion pancakes were good but just wish it was slightly larger portion. The beef noodle soup was good, I opted for the half beef & half tendon for an extra buck. I should of stayed with the regular instead of the beef tendon. The tendons were small and overcooked to a consistency of fat. The service was very good, they waitress was attentive. The dining area was very clean and welcoming. The tables were clean and organized with condiments. Overall, it was a very good experience. I would come back next time I'm in the San Jose area.

    Beef Broth Soup
    Lily D.

    I visited Flaming Ox with my husband over the weekend. It was lunchtime so I expected the plaza, which is shared with a City Sports Fitness, is typically crowded but it seems to have mellowed out a bit in recent years. The parking was still a little crowded closer to the restaurants, but we managed to find a parking spot nearby and noticed a small queue in front of Flaming Ox. A few parties joined a waiting list so that they could be seated do my husband and I also joined with an expected wait time of 10-25 minutes. While we waited, we visited the iTaiwan, a small Taiwanese snack store next door. Even though the wait time was estimated as 10-15 min, our table was ready around 5-7 minutes and we were given a small table at the side of the restaurant. The server gave us a pitcher of water and glasses for us to drink and let us know we could order via the QR code on the table. I ordered the beef broth soup and my husband ordered a traditional beef soup with extra noodles for an additional charge. Our soup came out quickly and the soup broth was very rich and flavorful. The slices of beef were thick, perhaps 1cm, and very juicy and tender. The soups were also served with some chopped up pickled veggies which added an additional dimension to the overall flavor profile of the soup. For those that want to add a few more spices, there is chili oil, white pepper, salt, and vinegar at each table. We were also given a spicy chili oil to dip our meat in, which gave our soup more heat and an extra kick. The establishment was small and busy, so it was a little awkward when servers would check in on us due to the lack of space, but the service was good and quick and the queue went by quickly. I would most definitely visit here again!

    Deanna Y.

    Dined here about 2 weeks ago on a Saturday evening with a couple of friends. We came right at opening time of 5:00pm to avoid a possible wait. Two of us enjoyed the spicy beef noodle soup while another got no spice beef noodle soup. We also for the popcorn chicken and cucumbers to share (both were tasty and cucumbers were a lot better than another well known place). The beef noodle soup had huge pieces of meat in it as well as plenty of noodles. I think it may have been too early for my dinner as I only finished a little over half and ended up taking the rest home. Definitely made for a good meal the next morning! I like that they have the condiments you can add on the side. The satay was really good. Advise you to use sparingly as it was pretty spicy (different spice from the soup). I'd come again during cold weather as it def hit the spot!

    Zha Jiang Mien (with thick noodles)
    Lloyd C.

    We had Sunday lunch with friends who had never tried this place before. The service is very friendly, helpful, and attentive. He checked on us a few times. Food: Zha Jiang Mien: Flavorful mushroom based sauce cooked with [IMPOSSIBLE] plant-based soy, fried shallots, aromatics and fresh cut vegetables (4/5). Bone Broth Beef Noodle Soup: 100% bone broth base, light delicate spice. *comes with beef* Choice of having either half tendon/half meat, tendon only, extra tendon, extra meat, all at a varying $$ amounts. Also choice of thin or thick noodles (4/5). Our friends got the Traditional Beef Noodle Soup with half tendon/half meat. They seemed to enjoy it.

    Lunch for 2
    Elaine Y.

    Came to Flaming Ox after purposefully searching out some good Taiwanese food for the South Bay. Food came out expeditiously after ordering which made us wonder a bit but overall, boyfriend gave it his stamp of approval stating that it brought back a lot of Taiwan nostalgia. We shared the traditional Taiwanese beef noodle soup with thin noodles. The broth was sufficiently beef and the pieces of shank were melt in your mouth tender. I also liked how the pickled vegetables were presented on a spoon to the side, quite traditional. My only comment against the dish was that all our vegetables were all of the bottom stems, not exactly the best part of any vegetable. We supplemented the noodles with some Taiwan classics. The soy threads were really tasty and the right flavor. It was refreshing for the warm day! The century egg with tofu was good but they used firm tofu so it didn't quite hit the mark as this dish ought to use silken tofu. Having said that, the flavor was still really good! Last but not least, the popcorn chicken. It was fried nicely and I really enjoyed the fried basil.

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    Page 1 of 10

    Flaming Ox Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Flaming Ox

    Is their bone broth the fatty kind?

    No, our bone broth is clean, light and high in collagen. It's not like what you would get from a heavier Tonkatsu style broth. In addition to the bones, we also build depth of flavor from daikon and aromatics.

    Is it dog friendly?

    Dog can sit outside. They have a few tables outside

    Does the restaurants use MSG?

    I don't believe so. As in I'm not sleepy after eating it.

    Is there outdoor seating?

    Hi Alyssa! Yes! Weather permitting we have a table for 4 and a table for 2. :)

    Is your fried pork chop/ popcorn chicken dairy free? Egg ok but making sure no milk/ butter etc?

    Yes, it's dairy free and also egg free. :)

    View All 7 Questions

    575 Miishien - Yunnan Rice Noodles (very similar to Vietnamese Bún [vermicelli] noodles)

    575 Miishien

    4.7(778 reviews)
    8.3 miWest San Jose
    $$

    I've been eyeing this spot for a long time and finally got a chance to grab dinner last night. It's…read morebeen high on my list because every time I came to the movie theater next door, I'd see a long line of folks waiting to get in. The service was truly excellent. Jeff, the chef (rhymes!), was kind and welcoming. He could tell it was our first time and went out of his way to check in, give advice on what to order, and how to enjoy it. The wagyu and chicken soup were both outstanding -- flavorful, hearty, and healthy. Here's the part that took it over the top for me: they had accidentally forgotten our fried tofu. I happened to be nearby this morning and stopped in, fully expecting them to ask for proof of purchase or be resistant. Instead, they just handed it to me. No questions. That's top-notch customer service. I'm now a promoter and will definitely keep coming back. Highly recommend!

    Had 575 bookmarked for so long and was super excited to finally try yesterday! Came for dinner and…read morewas seated right away at 6pm. Staff are friendly, spot is pretty small but kid-friendly and self-serve utensil tables. The Wagyu Soup Noodle bowl was super bland. So much so that my partner had to add a ton of chili sauce, and I had to add other seasoning toppings. Would be open to trying the beef noodle soup next time but the Waygu soup bowl wasn't it. Pig ears were pretty good but sliced super thin.. thinner than the onions..

    Photos
    575 Miishien - Restroom

    Restroom

    575 Miishien - Signature Wagyu Beef Cross-Bridge Miishien Black Truffle | @whaevaeats

    Signature Wagyu Beef Cross-Bridge Miishien Black Truffle | @whaevaeats

    575 Miishien - Signature Wagyu Beef Cross-bridge Miishien

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    Signature Wagyu Beef Cross-bridge Miishien

    7 Noodles & Sizzling - Ramen Noodles

    7 Noodles & Sizzling

    4.5(117 reviews)
    8.7 miCambrian Park

    Super authentic Taiwanese night market style sizzling plate restaurant. They used to have another…read moresister restaurant in Mountain View too, but it closed down. I think this spot is way cleaner and tastes better though. Every few weeks I would come here to get a sizzling steak plate to satisfy my cravings. They let you choose between black pepper sauce, mushroom sauce, or both. I love getting both because I can't decide. The noodles are so good with the sauce too. My partner usually tries something different. They have curry rice and beef stew rice as well. Both pretty good. Personally they're too plain for me. I still would only want to get the sizzling plate here. The service here has been pretty good so far for the many times I've been here. Ordering and serving were quick

    First time visit this restaurant in my neighborhood. Is very small restaurant and I think is family…read morebusiness. Not much table inside but surprise is full house, people keep coming in! So I think must be good. Ordered beef noodle with thick noodle. The beef is so soft and tender! I really like the soup, is thick and full of flavor. I like a lot and highly recommend. Deep fried tofu is good also but nothing outstanding. I notice lot of people order hot iron plate noodle too, I will definitely try next time. In my list for sure and will come back for sure!

    Photos
    7 Noodles & Sizzling - Drink Selection

    Drink Selection

    7 Noodles & Sizzling - Udon Noodles

    Udon Noodles

    7 Noodles & Sizzling - Deep-fried Gyoza ($8)

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    Deep-fried Gyoza ($8)

    Paik's Noodle - Stir-fried Noodle ($14)

    Paik's Noodle

    4.3(1.8k reviews)
    5.0 mi
    $$

    I always come here whenever i am craving meat jajangmyeon and it never disappoints! I also order…read morethe tangsuyuk and stir fried noodles and it's so good and filling. I have put all my friends on this place and they love it every time i mention coming here. The meat jajangmyeon and the stir fried noodles is so flavorful and the tangsuyuk is so crunchy! For the price and the portion is heavenly sent too, so perfect. The only unfortunate thing is the parking lot outside is pretty small and limited, so keep that in mind. Sometimes i park across the street from the other plaza since the parking lot is bigger. Tungtungtungsahur rates 5/5

    FOOD: 4 SERVICE: 4…read moreAMBIANCE: 3 VALUE: 4 We were looking for something different for lunch and we came across Paik's. A no thrills Korean restaurant specializing in their black bean sauce rice/noodles. We ordered: Fried Dumplings - minced pork and vegetables dumplings deep fried to perfection. Crunchy, meaty and just need a dousing of vinegar. Jajang Rice - rice covered in shrimp egg omelette with the black bean jajang sauce on the side. The omelette was done right, not dry, but the black bean jajang sauce was really what made the dish. Beef Jjamppong - noodle soup with beef slices and mixed vegetables. Comforting bowel of needles with thinly sliced beef and cabbage. Jajangmyeon - their signature noodles with black bean sauce. Very umami and the noodles were done just right. Cheap (for nowadays) and good food, what else can you ask for?

    Photos
    Paik's Noodle - Counter / cooking area

    Counter / cooking area

    Paik's Noodle - Fried Dumpling ($8.50/8)

    Fried Dumpling ($8.50/8)

    Paik's Noodle - Chili Shrimp ($20)

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    Chili Shrimp ($20)

    Udon Mugizo - San Jose

    Udon Mugizo - San Jose

    4.4(1.3k reviews)
    6.9 miWest San Jose
    $$
    Kid friendly
    Locally owned & operated

    I came here one weekend afternoon for lunch and it was not too busy. There was a waitlist, but it…read morewent by pretty quickly. I ordered their tempura udon which came with udon, fish cake, green onions and tempura bits in a hot broth. It also came with 3 pieces of shrimp tempura, 3 pieces of vegetable tempura (eggplant, sweet potato and pumpkin). The order came out quickly after ordering and good size portion. The tempura were fried crispy and went nicely with the udon. Udon had a nice broth and good amount of udon, nice and chewy. Overall, good experience and will come back again.

    I recently visited Udon Mugizo, and honestly, the experience started the moment we walked up. The…read moreentrance itself looked so unique that I actually paused and wondered, "Wait... is this the door?" It made such a cool first impression and immediately caught my attention. The vibes of the place is really nice. Warm and comforting. As soon as we stepped in, we were warmly greeted and seated quickly. The service stood out right away. Our server was incredibly attentive. I barely tried to get his attention from the corner of my eye, and he noticed immediately. I honestly don't know how he did that, but it was impressive. Since it was my first time there, I felt a little overwhelmed by the menu because there were so many options that sounded good. My friend ended up taking the lead on ordering, and we definitely ordered with our eyes because it turned out to be way too much food for just the two of us. We got the salmon spinach cream sauce udon, crispy onigiri bites, edamame, chicken karaage, and the salmon ikura seiro set. Out of everything, the crispy onigiri bites were my personal favorite. The chashu was incredibly flavorful and tender. It melted in your mouth and made each bite so satisfying. The salmon spinach cream sauce udon gave me pasta vibes, which I really enjoyed. The sauce was rich and comforting, and the flavors worked well together. The udon itself was a bit firmer than what I am used to, and not exactly my personal preference, but it was still delicious overall and paired nicely with the sauce. Overall, it was a really enjoyable first visit with great food and standout service. I would definitely come back next time with a better sense of portion control.

    Photos
    Udon Mugizo - San Jose - Try our Unagi Seiro-mushi set!

    Try our Unagi Seiro-mushi set!

    Udon Mugizo - San Jose
    Udon Mugizo - San Jose

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    Kali Noodles and Tea Bar

    Kali Noodles and Tea Bar

    4.4(478 reviews)
    3.1 miDowntown
    $$

    Went here on New Year's Eve for a warm bowl and tried both the H4 - Nam Vang and the filet mignon…read morepho, both with clear noodles. The Nam Vang came with sliced pork, ground pork, and one prawn in a clean, savory broth--light but flavorful. The filet mignon pho was a solid upgrade: tender beef, silky noodles, and a broth that leaned richer but still easy to sip. Noodles had a nice bounce in both bowls. I was craving a vermicelli bowl or bánh mì too, but heads up--they only serve pho and noodle soups here. No rice plates or sandwiches. Still, if you're in the mood for Vietnamese comfort food, this spot delivers fast and clean.

    Thank you to my bro and his fam for treating us out to some Mother's Day noods!!!…read more My bro and his family are massive fans of Kali Noodles + Tea Bar. Even with them moving out to the East Bay, they make periodic drives just to enjoy what KN has to offer. I've had one dining experience here previously and was not impressed. This lead to not returning. Fast forward 2.5 years or so, here I was again. Our large party of 9 arrived at opening hours and the owners were so very welcoming. The restaurant was clean and the condiments were in tip top shape. Our family's order was massive. We started the meal with xiu mai [Vietnamese pork meat balls] and Chinese donut sticks. This then continued with mi do bien, filet mignon and beef ball pho, & a variety of nam vang noodle versions. The great thing about Kali Noodles are the multiple options of noodles they provide. There are a number of combinations that could be made with the 6 offerings. The food was surprisingly really good- so much better than what my first visit was. The bowls were presented neatly but plated in a way where the large chunks of lettuce made the bowls seem a lot more fuller that it really was. The noodle soups also consisted a lot more broth than noodles. Having said that, the egg noodles are really really good!! The restaurant cooks them perfectly- chewy with a slight bite that keeps you wanting more and more. Hu tieu dai was unfortunately too mushy in texture for my liking. 4 stars overall. Customer service from the owners were exceptional. They were attentive to each person's order and were so welcoming. The food was good but maximize the deliciousness by strictly going for the thin egg noodles. You will not be disappointed and this recommendation is coming from a person who typically steers clear of this. I'd happily return.

    Photos
    Kali Noodles and Tea Bar - Interior

    Interior

    Kali Noodles and Tea Bar - H2 or nam vanh style with thin yellow noodle...

    H2 or nam vanh style with thin yellow noodle...

    Kali Noodles and Tea Bar - Condiments

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    Condiments

    Flaming Ox - taiwanese - Updated May 2026

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