Flaming Ox

Nice outdoor seating (limited). Would return for the popcorn chicken. The meat in the beef noodle soup are thick slices which tasted good, also liked the noodle options (flat noodles, thin noodles, shirataki noodles), but personally thought the soup was not flavorful enough. More on the lighter side. Happy hour Tuesday through Friday late lunch 1.30pm-2.30pm and dinner 5pm-6.30pm, all entrees $15.50

Really good spot for Taiwanese food! The weather was quite rainy and I had a craving for some Taiwanese beef noodle soup, and this place didn't disappoint at all. I got the traditional beef noodle soup and the spiciest popcorn chicken on the side, and both were 10/10 fantastic! The beef noodle soup was perfect, with a really flavourful broth and many large pieces of tender beef. The popcorn chicken was very crispy and the spice mix on it was absolutely delicious. Besides that, the service is pretty quick, the staff are very friendly, and the restaurant has a nice atmosphere with some cool artwork on the wall. Overall, I'd highly recommend checking this place out especially if you like beef noodle soup or popcorn chicken. I'll definitely be back!

The mala beef soup I ordered was pretty good, full of flavor, not too spicy to me though. The thick noodle string is chewy which is what I like. My friend ordered the bone broth soup, not the traditional one though but it’s not so good, the broth was kinda bland. The meat portion is quite small, if you want more meat, you need to order extra. I still think it’s worth trying though

Flaming Ox is a solid local restaurant and you should try it. We had a bowl of beef noodle soup, a rice bowl, and an appetizer. Plenty of food for two of us. The noodle soup broth was tasty. Big chunks of meat were nice and soft, meaning well-cooked. The noodles could have been a little softer but they were ok. The pork belly rice bowl was also quite tasty but kind of salty for me. The egg was really hard boiled and would have been better a little yolky to mix and subdue the saltiness. Plus make it a little more moist. I was not a fan of the fried pork chop appetizer. It was meaty enough but the taste and texture wasn’t my thing. Next time I’ll try the green onion pancake or popcorn chicken. They have very good service though. You order via QR code which is a little impersonal but they bring water and food quickly. It feels very clean inside and is brightly lit with natural light. Comfortable enough.

I have been in Taiwan for several years, so I am very picky about Taiwanese beef noodles. This may not be my cup of tea, but my other Taiwanese friends think it is very good. But noodles texture was pretty good , soup base needs more flavor. They have happy hour .

We had a chilled summer noodles, a Traditional Beef Noodle Soup , and a Fried Pork Chop Rice Plate. The chilled summer noodles in this restaurant were the worst summer noodles in my life until now. TRUST ME!!!! The sesame dressing had no sesame flavor. Only sour and weird taste in it. The noddles were not a traditional chilled noodles. It should be Taiwan yellow noddles. The fried pork chop was too dry and hard to bite. Traditional Beef Noodle Soup was the only thing that acceptable, but more good beef noodle soup could be found in Bay Area.

One of the best restaurants I’ve tried in the Berryessa neighborhood… or anywhere in San Jose, for that matter. We ordered the 3-entree Family Value Pack and it was an exceptional value. We tried the dry beef noodles, vegetarian noodles, and the pork belly rice. All three were excellent, and the inclusion of fresh and pickled vegetables in both led to complex and satisfying flavors and textures. For appetizers, we tried the cucumber pickles (exceptional) and the scallion pancakes. The dipping sauce for the pancakes was a highlight. The meal was more than enough to feed two adults and a kid, with plenty of each dish to share. I look forward to trying even more of their menu!

Found this place from BILT neighborhood dining. We got the popcorn chicken, mala noodles, and the regular noodles. The popcorn chicken is not bad but portion is kind of small for the price. Bowl is a good size but I felt the mala is way too salty. The broth does taste good but that may be due to the special ingredient which I don’t mind. The thick noodles taste fresh and good. However it’s only one type of meat unless you pay extra. This lacks value compared to pho which I would take over Taiwanese noodles any time.

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!

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.

Rare 5 star review. Great little "hole in the wall" with very good beef noodle soup. Perfect for the cool weather we have been having. Located in a strip center and knew it would be good with people waiting outside as we arrived. Soup was flavorful and portions of both noodles and beef were above average. We also tried the cold eggplant, popcorn chicken and onion pancakes. All were very good. Service was fine. Overall, 4-1/2 stars but rounding up.

3.5 stars! Ordered takeout and my food was ready pretty quickly. All the tables were taken and a few people were waiting to be seated on a Tuesday night. Unintentionally, I ordered during happy hour so my bowl was a dollar or two less than normal. I got the popcorn chicken rice plate and the chicken was flavored nicely. I like the sauce that came on the side and thought it paired nicely. The chicken had no crunch but I'm sure it'd be much better if I ate at the restaurant. A great place for a cheap comfort meal!

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!

3.5 stars. Mala beef shank soup was not as spicy/numbing as I had in comparison to a competitor. However they do offer condiments to tune it to how you like so make of that what you will. Personally Just wish it was more numbing. Century Egg and tofu was alright. Service was readily available and affable. However was charged 5 dollars for extra Mala soup base to take home and instead of filling it to the fill line I got a half. Not enthused with that portion especially for 5 dollars. Sorry but since I get half you get half Ox. Only fair lol Place was clean. Eat here during happy hour is encouraged.

The star is undoubtedly the Special Dry Noodle Mala Beef. The beef is incredibly thick, tender, and juicy, living up to its description perfectly. The mala seasoning provides a fantastic, aromatic heat. Whether you choose thick or regular noodles, you're in for a treat--both are excellent and hold the sauce well. Service is both professional and fast. The staff is efficient and attentive, ensuring you get your delicious food without a long wait, even in a compact space. It's a small, no-frills place, but it's impeccably clean and well-maintained. The focus here is squarely on the quality of the food. The Flaming Ox is a gem. It masterfully delivers an exceptional and satisfying bowl of noodles, with incredibly tender beef and perfect spice. Highly recommended for a fantastic, no-fuss meal.

If you haven't been here yet, you're missing out!! When I'm craving something comforting, filling, and flavorful -- this is one of my go-to spots in San Jose! Here's what I ordered: - Dry Mala Beef with Shirataki Noodles - Traditional Beef with Thick Noodles + Extra Tendon - Century Egg + Tofu (a must-order!) - Chilled Eggplant The beef and tendon portions are so generous -- everything is melt-in-your-mouth tender. I also love how customizable everything is. You can go with soup or dry noodles. Choose from thin, thick, or their new low-cal shirataki noodles. And don't skip the century egg and tofu -- it's silky, rich, and pairs perfectly with the savory sauce. Whether you're after comfort food or a protein-packed meal, Flaming Ox will have you leaving full and happy!! :)

Noodle lovers -- check out this cozy comfort spot featuring Taiwanese beef noodles. We got the noodle soup with thick noodles and the spicy dry version with thin noodles -- both were flavorful, and the beef was very tender! We also tried the fried pork chop and popcorn chicken (LOVE!). I was a bit worried the drinks would be too sweet since there's no option to adjust the sweetness, but they turned out perfectly balanced and really refreshing with the meal!

Was craving some beef noodle soup and found this place on Yelp. It was either this or our go to Ox 9 and we decided to try something new since we've seen some reviews mention their broth tastes similar/better. We can on a Sunday evening around 6 PM and it wasn't packed. You order from the QR code once you're seated and they provide a water container and cups for you. Our group order the mala beef noodle soup (one thin and one thick), the minced pork belly rice, side of pork chop, and cold cucumbers. The mala beef noodle soup was good but the mala flavor was strong and overpowered a lot of the taste of the broth. The thick noodles were chewy but I think Ox 9 was better in my opinion. The beef was super tender and was the highlight of the dish. The minced pork belly was really good as well and the flavor combination of the rice, egg, pickled mustard, and pork belly was delicious. The pork chop was okay, probably wouldn't get it again. The cold cucumbers were good but pricey for what it is. Overall the food was decent but I think I rather go to Ox 9 instead. If you do come, I recommend getting the regular beef noodle soup and maybe asking for the mala on the side. The pork belly rice is good as well and would get that again if I ever come back. 4/5

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.

This place serves up one of the best Chinese beef noodle soups in the area! I've tried so many places where the bowl is just full of noodles with 2 paper thin slices of beef. You don't have to worry about that here! Their bowls have the perfect portion of noodles with THICK slices of soft beef. You will leave definitely satisfied. My go to is usually the dry mala beef with thick noodles. The noodles have the perfect chew and holds on to the sauce fairly well. The mala is HoT and will leave you with that familiar mouth numbness. Excellent bowl! Their pickled cabbage appetizer is a nice contrast to the richness of the soup. Their blanched Asian greens with garlic was also delicious and was very fresh. The restaurant is small and gets crowded during lunch on the weekends so best to try and come early. Definitely will add to my rotation.

I love noodles and somehow have been finding alot of Taiwainese noodle soup joints lately on Yelp. Hubby and I decided to try this restaurant as we were running errands in the area yesterday (Sunday) around noonish. The parking lot is big though super busy. I was able to get on the waiting list via Yelp and we arrived at 1215p to the restaurant within the time Yelp said our table would be available. And it was! One table available as the restaurnt was busy. We were greeted immediately by the male staff who somehow knew it was me when I haven't checked in yet. Kudos to him! As customers left, new one came so the restaurant was constantly busy on top of doordash and to-go orders. The restaurant is small with about 12 tables (tables of 2 & 4s). The mural is nice and funny putting a smile on my face as I sit there and look at it...oxes serving humans at the food market. We ordered the following. 1. Mala beef soup with thick noodles: Quite spicy but a very good spicy. The 3 thick slices of meat were very tender and easy to bite into or break apart with the utensils. The bok choys were cut up in small pieces making it bite size and easy to chew vs having to try to bite it in half or stuff the whole thing in your mouth. The soup broth is a little light and the noodles were a little overcooked as it was soft, but overall, hubby enjoyed it. 2. Dry Mala beef soup with thick noodles: Hubby and I really like this over the soup dish as it's very flavorful. The noodles were cooked just right as it was chewey. Similar to the soup dish, the meat is thick and tender and the bok choys are cut up to bite size. Next time I would order a small bowl.of soup on the side if that's an option. 3. Green onions pancakes: Thin qnd Crispy but need more green onions. I barely saw any greens. The sauce to pair with the pancake was light so it didn't really give flavor to the pancake. But since the pancake is think I just ate it on its own. Overall, both the food and service was good. The food came out in good time with the appetizer first then the entree. I didn't feel to rush eating everything at once as it was paced out a bit. The 2 staff working the tables was attentive to the tables, walk-in/pick up customers and was on top of cleaning the tables in prep for the next party. I would definitely return in the future.

I came here with a friend and we both ordered the Mala Beef Noodle Soup (I got thick noodles, he got thin) and shared the popcorn chicken with sweet & sour sauce. The Mala Beef Noodle Soup was the star -- it comes with 1/4 lb of beef shank cooked to a perfectly tender texture that paired beautifully with the flavorful, spicy broth. I went with medium spice and it was just right. The thick noodles were bouncy and chewy, soaking up the broth without getting soggy. 4.5/5 for me. My friend preferred the thin noodles, though I found them a little too soft. The popcorn chicken was also tasty. Not quite as crispy as the versions I used to get from boba shops, but the chicken itself was juicy and tender, and the sweet & sour sauce worked well with it. I'd definitely order it again. 4/5. The restaurant itself is on the smaller side. I forgot to check the Yelp waitlist on a Friday night, but luckily there were only two parties ahead of us. Ordering is done by scanning a QR code at your table -- convenient, though I personally prefer talking to a server when I have menu questions. I'll definitely be back to try the regular Beef Noodle Soup, but the Mala version is already a winner. Highly recommend if you're craving Taiwanese beef noodle soup -- it hits the spot whether you're sick, hungover, or just want something comforting and full of flavor.

Came here during a week day lunch. It was bust but we didn't have to wait. Got the mala beef noodle thinking it wouldn't be too spicy but it was just the right amount with a lot of flavor. The stand out was definitely the beef. I wasn't expecting much most people come for the noods but I was blown away. The portion was large and was extremely tender. Make sure you get the spicy sauce!

I can't believe it took me this long to come here after I've had this spot bookmarked for the longest time. My family and I decided to stop by for dinner before heading home. It's hard to find a good Taiwanese restaurant, so I'm glad I finally found one that I enjoy. We arrived at 7:45pm on a Sunday and were immediately seated. You order on your phone by scanning the QR code that's on the table. I loved the mural of all the Taiwanese food stands. We order a variety of dishes, but my favorite were the noodle soups/dry noodles. Loved the chewiness of the noodles, the tenderness of the beef, and the broth was the perfect flavor and consistency. Also, you can't go wrong with their popcorn chicken - my dad loved it! Overall, we were all very satisfied with their dishes. I can't wait to come back again. The servers were friendly and attentive. There is also plenty of parking available in the lot!

I've gotten the taiwanese beef noodle soup a few times now as a pick-up order, and it hits every single time. The broth is soooo rich and flavorful, and they don't skimp on the meat at all (they give you really thick cut pieces). They also give you chili oil crunch on the side so you can control the amount of heat! One of these days I'll actually dine in! I've also tried their popcorn chicken and it's good but nothing special. Parking can be cramped on the weekends since it's in a busy parking lot.

Wanted to try out a this place out after being recommended. The place is a little small but cute because the wall had painting/mural design similar to Studio Ghibli artwork with each head being an ox which I thought was pretty cool. Food wise, the rice bowl was good but a tad bit salty. Noodles were spicy but not too spicy. The chilled/pickled cucumbers were amazing. Refreshing to eat during the summer. Service was good.

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.

party of 2, came on a thursday night around 7pm and there was no wait! you order through their website so pretty minimal interaction with the waiters/servers - green onion pancakes: thin, light, and crispy! they also serve it with a house dipping sauce which i thought was pretty unique. can't quite figure out what they put in it (soy sauce & maybe a peanut sauce??) but it was enjoyable! - dry mala beef noodles: i can usually take the mala kind of spice, but their noodles are SPICY. if you can handle spice, this is a great dish to try -- even through all the spice, you can still taste the flavors of the actual dish so its not just heat (i ended up ordering an extra side of noodles to mellow out the spice) - dry traditional beef noodles: truly enjoyable, also has a little bit of a kick to it but i would say it's a level that most people would be able to handle overall, my favorites about this place is the texture of their noodles (love the variety, especially the thick/wide noodles) and how thick each piece of beef was!! they definitely do not skimp on their portions

Came here after making an online reservation on Yelp. This was such a time saver! The server sat us down immediately upon our arrival. I ordered the Mala Beef Noodle, wife ordered the non-spicy Bone broth to share with the kids, and we also got the Popcorn chicken w/ Basil. I enjoyed my Mala soup very much...it was spicy but not too spicy. The thick pieces of beef was super tender which is impressive since most places nowadays makes them tough or contains chewy pieces you have to spit out. The wide noodles were nicely cooked as well. My only complaint was the popcorn chicken could have used more basil flavor but the batter was not bad.

It looked a bit crowded on Tuesday when I walked in a little before 1:30 pm but there were still a few tables available. Very few parking spaces were left in the plaza though (with all the other stores around). I ordered takeout with the time set to 1:30 pm for the happy hour promo but it was ready by 1:15 pm. Inevitably, the drive home made the popcorn chicken (rice plate) and fried pork chop a little soggy but nothing an air fryer couldn't fix. It looks like even reviewers who dined in had the same issue. Everything tasted great (pickled cabbage, minced pork belly rice, and the delicious black pepper garlic sauce) although the popcorn chicken isn't seasoned the same as what you'd find at other places selling "Taiwanese popcorn chicken." I ordered medium spicy but it wasn't spicy at all to either of us. Pork chop was okay. Decent texture and seasoning but not too memorable.

We went during weekday lunch, no wait! I wasn't in a soup mood, so I ordered dry mala spicy beef with thick noodles. The beef was incredibly tender and melted in my mouth. The mala flavor was good, but wish it was spicer. The thick noodles had a nice chew. I also ordered extra bokchoy for 50 cents. My friend ordered the soup version and really enjoyed her meal. The ordering process was super smooth: just scanned the QR code on our table, placed the order, and our food arrived pretty fast. Service was efficient and friendly.

Came here around 5:30 pm with my girlfriend on a Friday, wasn't too packed but there was plentiful people. We got sat instantly and we you can order all the food through your phone when you scan the QR code. It was happy hour so the traditional soup with thin noodle was $15.50 and the popcorn chicken was $8.50, for being in the bay around a busy plaza center it was fairly priced and one of our cheaper eats for sure. Everything was so delicious. The place is pretty small so if it is peak hours i would say to arrive early. There are plenty parking spaces outside but tends to get really crowded and hard to find a parking spot since there are so many places around as well.

Highly recommend the beef noodle soup. The meat and tendon are impossibly tender. Huge chunks of meat with zero resistance. The pork over rice is also solid! Service very friendly and they have seating outside with umbrella if the inside is all filled up!

We visited on a Friday night and we luckily found parking in the busy plaza. For the appetizer we ordered the popcorn chicken which was well-seasoned and tender and it came with a sweet and sour sauce which was unique and yummy. I ordered the beef noodle soup with thick noodles and bone broth base (non-spicy). At first the beef broth was too hot so I ate the popcorn chicken in the meantime but once it cooled down it was delicious. The thick noodles were amazing, I loved how thick and flavorful they were! I liked the Bok choy in the soup so I was happy with the whole meal. The staff was attentive and friendly. The ambiance was chill and a great dining spot; a little pricy but worth it.

This blew my expectations out of the water. The beef and tendon were mouthwateringly tender and the broth was so tasty. I appreciated the fair amount of veggies they give compared to other Chinese beef noodle soup places. The service was very friendly and attentive and the food came out quickly. Love the ox themed decor!

Delicious Taiwanese food. The recipes are definitely from someone who has lived in Taiwan before. One of the better Taiwanese food in the US, though it is authentic, there is less of the pork knuckle and specialty dishes

Food:3.5/5 I tried the Traditional Beef Noodle Soup, Bone Brother Beef Noodle Soup, Dry Beef Noodles, and Popcorn Chicken w/ Basil. All were pretty decent. My favorite was probably the popcorn chicken with black pepper sauce on the side. The beef soup could be beefier but the portion size was pretty good. The noodles were not the best but it did the job. Service:4/5 Pretty good service. Staff checked in to see how everything was. We asked to take our leftovers home which they gave us containers for and asked us if we wanted a bag which we said yea. They forgot but it was not a big deal. Ambiance:3.5/5 A simple restaurant, not much decoration but clean.

Haven't been to flaming ox in a while, when i am craving some taiwanese beef noodle soup, this is where i go. They have a nice online yelp waitlist that you can join. I recommend checking the waittime as the restaurant is not too big. Nice qr code ordering and the food came out pretty quick. Great for a quick lunch as long as you get in. The green onion pancake, portion wise could be a-little more. It was also a-little too fried for my liking. The beef noodle soup was great, and the highlight. They have a chili spicy sauce on the side, that you can add in as needed to adjust your spice level. The meat is really tender, you have an option to have half tendon and half meat for extra cost as well. Really balanced in my opinion. If you are in the area and want some nice taiwanese beef noodle soup, this is a great place to go.

Was not happy to see a line of people outside the door as I walked up. Asked if there was a line and was directed inside to get on the waitlist. This was accomplished on an iPad and all handled electronically. While I was considering my options and thinking about doing takeout since I had things I needed to do later, a waiter came out and said there was no waiting if you wanted to sit outside, so I took him up on the offer. It was a bit breezy and cool so I changed my intended order from a noodle plate to a steaming bowl of noodle soup. I went with the spicy "Mala" option. It came out very quickly after navigating the order by phone requirement. Taste was very good, noodles well cooked, but the star was the tender beef. Sichuan peppercorn influence was indeed there, giving a bit of numbing sensation, especially if you accidentally get some into your sinuses. As an aside, I generally do not like places that make you order with your phone. It was not terrible here as they do have actual menus for you to look at before you have to go on the phone. Some small price inconsistencies between the printed menus and the electronic ones, but not major.

Takeout family packages are offered ranging from $58-$78. Happy Hour is available Monday - Friday for lunch from 1:30 pm - 2:30 pm and dinner from 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm where entrees for dine-in or takeout is $15.50 and appetizers are half off. Food Green onion pancake - $7.00 Made with flour, green onions, and served with a side of special house sauce. Every piece was very warm, crispy, and crunchy. Beef Bone Broth Soup with thick noodles - $17.00 Chinese inspired, 12 hours bone broth base, and light delicate spice with a side of the chili oil. I ordered non spicy, half tendon, half meat with thick noodles, and had a nice chewy bite. Popcorn chicken - $8.50 Served with marinated chicken, basil, garlic, soy, and spices. I ordered medium spice and it was a perfect level with a light kick. The pieces were substantial chunks of chicken meat and not overly coated in batter. Braised Pork Belly Rice - $16.00 Pork belly slow-cooked in a flavorful soy based broth with a blend of spices and aromatics, a boiled egg, and rice. It was a very comforting dish that felt homemade. Chilled eggplant - $6.00 The eggplant was served cold with a soy glaze, cilantro, and topped with green onions. This plate is unique and definitely worth a try. Customer Service I added my name to the Yelp waitlist and was seated after 10 minutes of waiting in the front small area. Excellent customer service was provided during the dining experience. The staff was attentive with my needs. Ambiance There is a small waiting area near the front entrance by the Yelp waitlist kiosk stand. There's plenty of tables inside ranging from booths and chairs with modern pendant light fixtures and an open concept kitchen. Location Nested in the plaza next door to Taiwanese mini grocery store in the same plaza as Chase, City Sports gym, Noah's Bagels, and UPS. Parking was a bit tricky during the lunch hour.

Tried the spicy beef noodle soup (mild, half tendon, hand-pulled noodles). Honestly, it was kind of basic--good, but nothing special. Could probably make something similar at home. Maybe the thin noodles would've tasted better. Got takeout, and the packaging was great--noodles separate from the soup so they didn't get soggy. Also tried the cold sesame/peanuty summer noodles--tasty and yummy. Again, simple enough that I could make it myself. Kind of like a bibimbap bowl but with noodles. Shaking it in the takeout box made it nicely mixed and easy to eat. Overall: solid flavors, thoughtful packaging, but nothing that really wowed me. 6.5-7/10.

Wow! I honestly can't express how much I enjoyed this place, for someone who's never had Taiwanese beef noodle soup. I've always drooled over videos online, but finally had my first experience today and let me tell you, the noodle soups were sooo beefy and flavorful while the actual beef and tendon were like butter! Here are my ratings: - traditional beef noodle soup : 10/10!!! (Recommend) -mala beef noodle soup: 8.7/10 (better if u want a sichuan numbing experience) -chilled cucumbers : 10/10 again! A must for appetizer or side I didn't get the egg plant, but saw a few tables for this so it must've been good. For location, they chose the right plaza because it's in such a great area with tons of other restaurants. I wouldn't consider them competition, but just a nice area in general. The server who helped us was super polite so it def helped with the overall experience. They also have an open kitchen which is nice to see + a cool animated wall which I posted a picture. I actually go to the gym that's in the same plaza so I will 100% be back. I couldn't recommend a place more!

I tried flaming ox again and it turns out that I really loved their beef bone broth noodle soup! The beef was so amazingly tender, broth was great, and noodles were cooked perfectly.

After running in the cold for awhile, coming to Flaming Ox was def the move. Parking straight up sucks so good luck finding someone who's leaving. With this plaza so packed with other businesses and a gym... it's just chaos. In the chance you do find parking and manage to get into the restaurant, you'll be impressed at how packed it can get. We went on a Tuesday night and there was a crowd right after we got seated so consider us lucky. Their bowls are quite huge so I do recommend sharing a bowl with another person that way you can also share appetizers. We had gotten the Traditional Beef Noodle with Thin Noodles and Popcorn Chicken. When our bowl arrived, we noticed they had gave us Thick Noodles so we called a server over and he was able to change that out for us which was very appreciated since my girlfriend likes it thin. I don't know what kind of beef they use but one bite into it and it instantly melted in your mouth. Very tender and flavorful, the amount of beef too was generous. POPCORN CHICKEN..... HOLY S#*T, I'm coming back and ordering this FOREVER. SUPER CRISPY, like EVERY SINGLE BITE CRISPY. They even lightly crisp the basil so there's a nice crunch to it. More places need to get on this level.

I'm always on the lookout for places that serves fresh noodles since fresh is always usually the best. However, the noodles here was so thicccc that I couldn't really enjoy it. Like they didnt roll it thin enough too? I don't know if I got a bad batch or what? I ordered the traditional beef noodle soup which was $17.50. It comes with 3 really thiccc, I mean super thick, pieces of shank meat. The meat was super tender, came with small pieces of bok choy, and green onions. Overall, I did not like this. The soup was also pretty salty and I think they use a lot of msg. I had to drink a lot of water. I also didn't even finish my bowl as it was just not appetizing. I also ordered the popcorn chicken appetizer for $8.50. In hindsight I probably should have ordered the rice plate with the popcorn chicken instead. The popcorn chicken was nicely seasoned inside, juicy, and had a nice crunchy exterior topped with fried basil. This came with a nice dipping sauce on the side. They also have Family packs to go which I think is a good deal. Pack A: Chose 3 entrees, 2 appetizers for $58 Pack B: Chose 4 entrees and 3 appetizers for $78 Since I like the popcorn chicken and I know my kids will too, I would come back to order that and try the other appetizers and rice dishes (fried pork chop, or braised pork belly). They also have Happy Hour deals too! I hope they're just having an off day for noodles and maybe if you go the noodles will be much better for you.

We finally got to try Flaming Ox, later than we wanted to. Visited for a lunch and it was pretty busy. The food, mostly noodle soup, was good. It was a bit better than you'd expect. Portion sizes are a bit smaller than what you'd expect for at the price. Moreover, extra couple of dollars for some tendon is rather messed up. Beef noodle soup should always have aome tendon. Still, the food was nonetheless, quite good and the beef was very soft. Service was non-existent. Didn't even feel like they tried. Green onion pancake was good to get. Tasty, crunchy, a bit over fried but overall, pretty good. The mala beef noodle soup was solid. The beef was very tender and each bite was very good. The mala was uniquely spicy, and I liked how they amped it up. The normal beef noodle soup was good and the flavor profile was rich. Visit was enjoyable. Dislike the pricing, but good food here.

This review has been long overdue since it's been my favorite go-to spot now for beef noodle soup for some time now. Everything from their hand-pulled noodles to their thick cut beef and tendon has been consistently on point each time I've come. My go-to items were the mala beef noodle soup (since spice is life) and basil popcorn chicken. I was delighted to find out that they recently added the dry mala noodles so that is now my entree of choice, of course with beef and tendon. I'm a sucker for thick cut noodles so that's the only type I get here. Here are my reviews of everything that I've tried: Mala Beef and Tendon Noodle Soup (5/5): Broth is very well balanced, not overly salty. It has the perfect amount of spice- not too much, not too little. Beef is thick cut consistently soft, and I'm surprised to find out it's not even sous vide, just simply cooked out of a labor of love. The tendon is also nice and soft, not chewy at all like a lot of other places that serve it. The noodles were nicely thick cut and cooked enough to have that nice light chew to it. Dry Mala Beef and Tendon Noodles (5/5): I actually prefer dry noodles over soup so them offering this option made me so excited to try. They had the perfect amount of sauce that didn't make the dish overwhelming. Again, the beef, tendon and noodles are on point. Basil Popcorn Chicken (5/5): Great flavor and spices, was tender and juicy. I HATE dried, overcooked anything. Basil had a nice light crisp to it and added a balanced aromatic flavor. Pork chop appetizer (4/5): Had good flavor and a nice crisp breadcrumb coating without being too overwhelming. I think I would prefer for it be thicker cut rather than thin cut to bring out the pork flavor more and juicy texture. Service here has been attentive the past few times that I've went. They started doing a happy hr here since April and has extended it to Tues-Fri from 1:30-2:30 and 5-6:30pm. $15.50 for all entrees which is great and such a steal considering the portion sizes are decent. Highly recommend to those who love noodz!

Celebrate Lunar New Year at Flaming Ox with delicious food and special perks during their promo! the service is quick and the place is small and cozy. @theflamingox keeps it simple with a short, focused menu that delivers big on flavor. Indulge in signature Taiwanese beef noodle soups, comforting rice plates, and appetizers like the tofu and century egg. Plus, don't forget to grab a jar of their irresistible chili crisp to enjoy at home! Some additional information: CNY promo will last from 1/29 to 2/12 or until supplies are gone. Flaming Ox CNY Promotion: Spend $30 and get a red envelope gift where you can randomly win a discount or freebie with purchase! Limit one red envelope per person. Chili crisp by the jar is on sale 20% off until 1/29 with all proceeds going to @tapsf to support our local Taiwanese community - -- -- - Chilled Cucumber Tofu & Century Egg Mala Beef Noodle Soup Braised Pork Belly Rice Plate

I love a great beef noodle soup and this is by far the best one! Their soup is incredibly flavorful and rich, with a bold, beefy taste. I ordered the Mala Beef and thick noodles and you can really savor the spices, and it has just the right amount of kick--a perfectly balanced combo. The noodles were perfectly bouncy, and the thick beef slices were braised to tender perfection while still retaining a good bite. They've truly nailed every element of a great beef noodle soup, and this has officially become my go-to spot! I also tried the popcorn chicken as an appetizer, and it didn't disappoint. The chicken was perfectly crispy, well-seasoned, and came in a generous portion for $8.50--a much better value than what you'd typically find at most milk tea shops. Service was great and the decor is modern & clean. Overall, Flaming Ox is a must try if you love Taiwanese dishes!

I actually wasn't planning on coming here for lunch, I wanted a sandwich but that place was closed. Stumbled on flaming ox near by, and since there was a line I knew it had to be good. 10/10 highly recommend. My friend and I shared the chilled cucumber to start. Super refreshing and the perfect amount of chili oil. I can't remember which soup dish she had but I had the pork belly rice plate, and it was one of those dishes that you keep eating well after you're full because it's soo good and you just don't want it to end. I can't wait to go back. I don't even want to try anything else, that pork belly rice plate has immediately become my "usual" and I have been craving it ever since. Please check them out.

I was on a very specific craving for Braised Pork Belly over rice. I searched and searched all over help and finally landed on this location. Braised Pork Belly over rice - Flavor and portion size was absolutely PERFECT, it was the melt in your mouth type of pork belly They serve during lunch hour so they expect you to leave as soon as you finish your meal (1 hr cap) Anyways, I definitely recommend y'all stop by and try them out when you're on a tight lunch schedule

Glad I finally got around to try this place after seeing it featured in one of FeedMeiMei's YouTube video. Fast and reliable service along with super tender beef - definitely one of the top places in the Bay to get beef noodle soup. On a Sunday night around 5:20pm, only two tables were taken but things picked up around 5:45-6. - GO Pancake (4.5/5) not the best pancake by itself but they give you some sort of umami tangy dipping sauce that goes very well with the pancake. Pancakes are crispy, though! - Fried Pork Chop (4.5/5) this pork chop wasn't as crispy as I thought (although I didn't look at too many pictures of it beforehand). It was very tender though and was on the smaller side. It had good flavor and the texture reminded me of Din Tai Fung's pork chop. - Beef Noodle Soup (5/5) amazing beef. They were big circular slices and were so soft. The broth had a good level of salt to it and a very faint hint of pepper and spice. The chili oil on the side that it comes with was not very spicy - I recommend adding the chilis from the table. With the additional chilis, you can adjust the heat level to your liking. The thick noodles also had a good chew. I would be interested in returning for the noodle soup and also their rice dishes.

Taiwanese beef noodle soups are like a warm hug in winter. Discover San Jose's newest gem for authentic Taiwanese cuisine- Appetizers are all under $9, so I have no guilt ordering a bunch of dishes. - Traditional Beef Noodles: robust and savory, perfectly seasoned for a deep, comforting taste. Good amount of noodles for the price! - Minced Pork Belly is richly flavored, served over rice for a satisfying meal. - Crisp Popcorn Chicken: offers a delightful crunch with every bite. - Green Onion Pancake is such a good side dish, with its flaky layers and aromatic scallions. - Tofu Century Egg, a traditional dish that combines silky tofu with preserved egg for a unique flavor experience. Definitely one of my favorites! I'm so glad that there's another casual and solid service Taiwanese spot in the Bay Area. Plenty of parking in the plaza.

As someone of Taiwanese descent, I'm so glad that the Bay Area is finally getting a revitalization of Taiwanese restaurants and businesses. @theflamingox is a new welcome addition to the North San Jose food scene, specializing in Taiwanese street/comfort foods such as beef noodle soup, Lu ruo fan (braised pork rice), popcorn chicken, green onion pancakes, and more! I checked this spot out with my very picky Taiwanese family, and we all agreed that this spot carries decent (albeit not the best), no-frills Taiwanese cuisine that hits the spot when you need a quick and easy fix for your cravings. Service was very fast and friendly, although I would recommend going with groups of 4 and under for a shorter wait, especially during peak dining hours. Featured here: traditional beef noodle soup with thick and thin noodles beef bone broth noodle soup with thin noodles green onion pancakes popcorn chicken

My new go-to spot for Taiwanese food in San Jose! Wow, I did not expect to like every single dish I ordered here! Flaming Ox is part of a shopping plaza, and while the parking lot is big, it definitely fills up during peak mealtime, so parking can sometimes be a bit tricky. If you go before 6:00, you'll generally get seated pretty quickly. There is a QR code on the table to scan and order. We started off with some apps including the Chilled Cucumber, Chilled Eggplant, Crispy Green Onion Pancake, and Popcorn Chicken. Both the cucumber and eggplant were so nice and refreshing! The green onion pancake was also yummy, and it's served with a dipping sauce. One of the best popcorn chicken's I've had in the Bay Area! A decent portion, the perfect amount of battered texture, and topped with the crispy basil that I love. They're known for their Beef Noodle Soup, so we definitely had to try this. We got their Traditional Beef Noodle Soup, and the bowl was huge! The beef was super tender too! Make sure you get a side of their Chili Garlic Crisp Oil to add in! We also tried two of their other noodles dishes--their cold noodles and Zha Jiang Mien. The cold noodles come with shredded chicken breast, ham, egg ribbons, cucumber, and carrots. Then you pour on the tangy sesame sauce and spicy chili crisp. They're so refreshing and tasty! The Zha Jiang Mien is a vegan version, so it comes with Impossible meat. Mix these quickly, since if you wait, the noodles start sticking together! These were really yummy too. The texture of the Impossible meat went great in this! While I loved everything I had here, the one dish that really stood out was the Braised Pork Belly Rice Plate! Their version of Lu Rou Fan, this bowl came with a generous portion of delicious, flavorful pork belly. It also comes with an egg and some pickled veggies. It's SO good! Definitely reminded me of what I would get in Taiwan! Can't wait to come back!

Found this place from BILT neighborhood dining. We got the popcorn chicken, mala noodles, and the regular noodles. The popcorn chicken is not bad but portion is kind of small for the price. Bowl is a good size but I felt the mala is way too salty. The broth does taste good but that may be due to the special ingredient which I don't mind. The thick noodles taste fresh and good. However it's only one type of meat unless you pay extra. This lacks value compared to pho which I would take over Taiwanese noodles any time.

Great Taiwanese Food with a Few Minor Misses Tried this spot and was overall pretty happy with the food! The mala beef noodle soup had a solid spice level, but it lacked that signature numbing sensation you'd expect from mala seasoning. Not a dealbreaker, though--the broth was flavorful, and the beef was incredibly tender. The popcorn chicken rice plate was a hit! My wife now ranks this as her second favorite place for popcorn chicken (just behind iTea). We went with regular spicy, which had a nice kick but wasn't too overwhelming--we'll definitely try hot next time. The green onion pancake was decent, though the vinaigrette-like sauce was an unexpected twist. It added a bit of sweetness, which was interesting but not exactly what I was expecting. Overall, solid food with some minor misses, but we'll definitely be back!