While exploring Kaohsiung, we made a stop in Gangshan (岡山) - a district famous throughout Taiwan for its lamb and goat cuisine. If you want to try this regional specialty, one of the most famous Gangshan lamb restaurants is Old Market Mutton (舊市羊肉), sometimes listed in English as Joe's Old Market Mutton.
Jump to:
- The Story Behind Old Market Mutton (舊市羊肉)
- Why Gangshan Is Famous for Lamb
- Lamb vs Goat: What Are You Actually Eating?
- What We Ordered
- Angelica Goat Hot Pot (當歸羊肉鍋)
- Suet Noodles (羊油麵線)
- Stir-Fried Goat Meat with Shallots (蔥爆羊肉)
- Sesame Oil Goat Heart Stir Fry (麻油羊心)
- Stir-Fried Vegetables
- What Makes Old Market Mutton Unique
- Final Thoughts
- More Lamb Recipes to Try
This long-running restaurant specializes in a wide variety of dishes made from fresh goat meat, including herbal soups, hot pot, stir-fries, noodle dishes, and even organ meat dishes.
During our visit, we ordered a mix of soups, noodles, and stir-fried dishes to get a good sense of what the restaurant is known for.
The Story Behind Old Market Mutton (舊市羊肉)
The restaurant's name literally means "Old Market Mutton." The restaurant is also sometimes listed in English as Joe's Old Market Mutton.
According to the information provided at the restaurant, founder 蔡天慶 (Cai Tianqing) originally ran a sheep trading business. Later he partnered with friends to sell freshly prepared mutton dishes at the Gangshan First Market, the area's old market.
When the market was later renovated and the business moved to a new location, they kept the name Old Market Mutton so longtime customers would still recognize it.
Today the restaurant remains one of the most popular places in the area to try Gangshan's famous lamb - or goat - cuisine.
Why Gangshan Is Famous for Lamb
Gangshan, a district in Kaohsiung, is famous throughout Taiwan for its goat meat cuisine. The area has a long history of goat farming, and many restaurants specialize in traditional mutton dishes like herbal soups, stir-fries, and hot pot.
Unlike imported lamb that may be frozen, restaurants here often emphasize using freshly processed goat meat (溫體羊肉).
At Old Market Mutton, the menu explains that:
- the goats are processed the same day
- the meat is very fresh and never frozen
- dishes are available in limited quantities each day
Because the restaurant prioritizes freshness, some items may sell out.
They also highlight that the restaurant uses the whole animal, from head to tail, in soups, stir-fries, and other dishes.
Lamb vs Goat: What Are You Actually Eating?
You'll often see 羊肉 translated as "lamb" on English menus in Taiwan. However, the word 羊 (yáng) actually refers to animals in the sheep and goat family.
In Gangshan, the dishes are typically made with goat meat, even though English translations often say "lamb." The restaurant's menu even highlights the use of freshly processed goat meat (溫體羊肉) prepared the same day.
So while many people refer to Gangshan's specialty as "lamb cuisine," the dishes are usually made with goat.
Goat meat has a slightly stronger flavor than lamb but becomes very tender when used in soups and quick stir-fries.
What We Ordered
We tried several dishes to experience different preparations of goat meat.
Angelica Goat Hot Pot (當歸羊肉鍋)
One of the most iconic dishes in Gangshan is Angelica Goat Soup, and the restaurant also serves it as a hot pot.
The broth is made with 當歸 (angelica root) and other Chinese medicinal herbs. These herbs give the soup a deep aroma and a slightly sweet herbal flavor.
The hot pot included:
- goat meat
- vegetables
- tofu
- mushrooms
- herbal broth
The soup was rich and comforting, with tender pieces of goat meat. Angelica soup is traditionally considered a warming and nourishing dish, and it's especially popular during cooler weather.
Suet Noodles (羊油麵線)
This dish uses 麵線 (very thin wheat noodles) tossed with goat fat (suet).
The fat coats the noodles and gives them a rich, savory flavor. It's a very simple dish, but it highlights the traditional philosophy of using every part of the animal.
The noodles were silky and flavorful, and they worked well alongside the soups and stir-fries.
Stir-Fried Goat Meat with Shallots (蔥爆羊肉)
This is a classic Taiwanese stir-fry.
Thin slices of goat meat are quickly stir-fried over high heat with:
- scallions / shallots
- soy sauce
- aromatics
The quick cooking keeps the meat tender while the scallions add sweetness and fragrance. This was one of the most straightforward dishes on the table and a great introduction for anyone new to goat meat.
Sesame Oil Goat Heart Stir Fry (麻油羊心)
This dish uses goat heart, which is sliced and stir-fried with sesame oil and ginger.
Sesame oil dishes are very common in Taiwanese cooking, especially when preparing organ meats. The sesame oil and ginger create a very aromatic sauce that pairs well with the slightly firmer texture of the heart.
If you've had beef heart before, the texture is somewhat similar - tender but with a bit of bite.
Stir-Fried Vegetables
To balance the richer dishes, we also ordered a simple plate of stir-fried vegetables. The vegetable can vary depending on the day, and during our visit it was spinach.
Like many Taiwanese vegetable dishes, it was quickly stir-fried with garlic and lightly seasoned. It was fresh, simple, and a nice contrast to the heavier goat dishes on the table.
What Makes Old Market Mutton Unique
One thing that stood out about the restaurant is its focus on fresh goat meat and traditional cooking methods.
The menu notes that the restaurant:
- uses freshly processed goat meat every day
- prepares dishes from head to tail
- simmers soups for hours with Chinese herbs
- limits portions of some dishes due to supply
This focus on freshness and traditional preparation is part of why Gangshan has such a strong reputation for lamb cuisine.
Final Thoughts
If you're visiting Kaohsiung and want to try something local, a trip to Gangshan for mutton dishes is definitely worth considering.
Old Market Mutton offers a wide variety of traditional Taiwanese goat dishes, from herbal soups to stir-fries and noodle dishes. It's a great place to experience the flavors that made Gangshan famous for lamb.
For adventurous eaters or anyone curious about Taiwanese regional cuisine, this restaurant is a memorable stop.
More Lamb Recipes to Try
If you enjoy lamb dishes, here are a few lamb recipes you can make at home:
- Cumin Lamb Stir Fry (孜然羊肉) - a bold northern Chinese stir fry made with marinated lamb, cumin, chili flakes, and aromatics.
- Stir Fry Lamb with Asparagus - tender lamb slices quickly stir-fried with asparagus, garlic, ginger, and savory sauce.
- Bitter Melon Lamb Stir Fry (苦瓜羊肉) - a flavorful Chinese dish pairing tender lamb with slightly bitter melon for balance.
- Pepper Lamb Stir Fry with Ginger & Scallions - marinated lamb stir-fried with green peppers, ginger, and scallions.
Each one is quick to make and pairs perfectly with a bowl of rice.
Got questions or comments? Drop them below!