Flaming Ox

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 .

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.

Great food - I have been here multiple times! To start the popcorn chicken or the crispy green onion pancake are amazing! The Mala beef noodles are the bomb and fantastic in any order combination.

Bone broth with tendon and wide noodles was excellent. Broth was rich and not oversalted. Popcorn chicken was a large portion..

One of the most authentic Taiwanese beef noodle soup in the Bay Area! The soup was rich in flavor but not too greasy. The beef was soft and not overcooked and had a good mix of tendon and meat. Highly recommended!

Careful - the "mala" beef noodle is spicy. The menu is quite limited, so know that you want to eat Taiwanese noodles going in. But otherwise, the noodlesl bowls are as you would expect.

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Flaming Ox in North San Jose, and it was an experience to remember. From the moment I walked in, the hospitality was top-notch. The staff was warm, welcoming, and attentive, making sure every guest felt like a VIP. The highlight of my visit, however, was the bowl of beef noodle soup. It was nothing short of miraculous. The broth was rich and flavorful, perfectly seasoned to bring out the essence of the tender beef. Each sip was nourishing, wrapping me in a comforting warmth that made me feel whole and content. The noodles were cooked to perfection, providing just the right amount of bite to complement the soft textures of the beef. Adding to this delightful experience were the side dishes, which were both diverse and delicious. Each dish brought something unique to the table, whether it was a tangy pickled vegetable or a savory crispy bite. They complemented the main course wonderfully, enhancing the overall dining experience with their vibrant flavors and textures. Flaming Ox is a gem in North San Jose, offering impeccable service and unforgettable flavors. It's the kind of place that makes you want to return, not just for the food, but for the genuine hospitality that makes you feel at home.

As a Taiwanese who've been living in the States for 20+ years, this is by far the best and the most authentic beef noodle soup I've ever had. I recently took some of my family members to the restaurant, including one who's currently living in Taiwan and another who's been running a very successful high-end fusion restaurant in the States. Both said the food was authentic and just as good if not better than what you'll find in Taiwan. In particular, the beef noodle soup (牛肉麵) and the popcorn chicken (鹽酥雞) were great and highly recommended.

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!

We came here on a Friday evening and it was not too busy -- wait was around 10 minutes. For our appetizer, we got the chilled cucumbers which were pretty good. I got the dry mala beef noodles with thin noodles. The dish was pretty well balanced, not too oily and pretty flavorful from the mala sauce. The noodles were good but nothing special, however I thought the beef and beef tendon were very good. They give such thick slices of beef and the meat is super tender and delicious. My boyfriend got the traditional beef noodle soup with thin noodles as well, and also thought it was good. The soup is fairly light and drinkable, and not too salty. The inside is not very big, probably would have a harder time seating large parties. Overall a very solid place for classic beef noodles!

I came here on the weekend to have a nice outside soup day (since I was sick). They have 3 outside tables and a ton of tables inside (there was a 5-15 minute wait for inside), but the outside has a parasol / sunshade for each table, which was kinda nice! It's a strip mall, so parking was super easy as well, adding to the experience. That said, I tried the mild soup with chili oil on the side and it was super tasty! Really, really good broth and it was nice to still get the chili oil on the side. I also got the fresh noodles, which were wide and a little bit thicker than expected, which gave a really nice chew. It honestly wasn't even a long wait to get the soup and they had some other apps as well as bone broth soup that looked sooo good, so I'll be back very soon.

I came back because Flaming Ox was pretty good, affordable, and I was in the area. I came in around like 25 minutes before closing on a Sunday evening and they still allowed dine in -- Thank you Flaming Ox staff! The service was good, the food came out and fast, and I was out the door fairly quick. * Popcorn Chicken Rice Plate with Minced Pork Belly - 5/5 stars. The portion on this plate was huge. Popcorn chicken was extremely crunchy and flavorful and the pickled vegetables were refreshing. Overall 5/5 stars again. Definitely will be returning to try the century egg and tofu dish since that caught my eye.

Didn't feel like cooking and wanted some yummy and hearty food. Ordered the family 3 meal special with my roommate and girlfriend and it was perfect. The noodle soup had a ton of flavor and was a massive portion. I got double beef because the meat is super tender and delicious. The other 2 got the fried Chicken, so much flavor! We ordered online and it was ready when we got there, super quick and easy. Glad I came back here and will definitely be back again.

Mala beef noodle soup is super delicious. Prob the best in South Bay. Soup is flavorful with a spicy kick. Beef is huge thick chuck and three pieces of them. Very addictive. Fried pork chop rice is also decent. Love it.

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.

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.

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

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.

Found this place from Instagram post and did not disappoint. Got the braised beef noodle and it was very flavorful and rich flavors. The meat was very tender. The soup was flavorful. The noodles here are hand pulled which makes it nice and chewy and fresh. The beef pancakes were great. Tender beef slices and flavorful. Parking is ample as the shopping center has nice size lot. The service was ok. We are outside since it was a nice day and the restaurant was full and hot/stuffy inside. The waiter rarely came out to check on us. We asked for extra napkins/utensils but never got them. We ended up going inside to get them ourself. Wasn't a fan of the Taiwan Apple cider. Will come back for the noodles next time in the area

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.

Met up with a friend at this Taiwanese restaurant in San Jose. It's located in the Brokaw Commons with a lot of restaurants. Parking could be a bit tight around lunch time even though the parking lot is big. The restaurant is kinda small but clean and new. Service is pretty decent and efficient. We shared a Blanched Greens with Shallots, Mala Spicy Beef Thick Noodles, and a Fried Pork Chop over Rice. The Greens were very good, I think it was spinach. The Mala Spicy Beef Noodles were delicious. The beef shank slices were melt in your mouth tender. The thick noodles had really nice texture. The broth was spicy and tasty. The Fried Pork Chop over Rice was average. The pork chop was slightly dry but not too bad. Overall it was a decent meal and prices were reasonable.

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.

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.

This was was my first time here during Yelp's AANHPI week and came with a lunch buddy who confirmed this is a good place to eat. The place is clean and very small; and, of course, it filled up quickly. To place your order, you can scan the QR code on your table or traditionally with a server. I contemplated between the Traditional Beef Noodle soup which is "mild spicy" and the Mala which is "spicy and numbing." I wanted to try mild spicy first as a baseline. We each ordered the Traditional Beef Noodle soup which come with what seems to be chopped pickle on the spoon and a side of chili oil. I stirred everything together. The broth was very mild and yummy. But the beef...oh the beef...was soooo tender, OMG! We also ordered the Crisp Green Onion Pancake appetizer. Very good! I really like the sauce. My friend is Korean and says it's authentically Korean. I'm definitely coming back to try the Mala with more heat.

Amazing food and service! We showed up at 8:06 PM and got seated promptly. The original beef soup was not spicy in my opinion, but it was perfect with the chili provided at the table. The meat was actually melt in your mouth! I will definitely return. Bathrooms were clean and parking was available as well.

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!

This was actually my second visit to Flaming Ox. When I first opened, I tried the noodle soup; and to be honest, I was a little underwhelmed. i thought the soup flavor was alright, but the beef was a little tough. This time, however, the soup was more flavorful and the beef was super super tender. I also tried the popcorn chicken and it was okay but it was actually hard and not crispy.And the portion size wasn't great, either. Coupled with the fact that it was like nine dollars, I don't think it was worth it. But the real soup was definitely a highlight and I'd go here again if I was in the area.

What stood out was the texture of the beef, I could "cut" through it with my chopsticks. I got the spicy Mala pho, and it was great. Ordering is done through thier web site. A line started to build to get in as seating is limited to the size of the room.

Came in on a Saturday morning at opening and was seated quickly. We ordered the traditional beef noodle soup, minced pork belly rice bowl, and popcorn chicken with basil through the QR code on the table. The food came out fast and it was all delicious! The restaurant is clean, including the bathroom, and there is seating both indoors and outdoors. The staff was promptly and friendly. Would be happy to eat here again if I'm in the area. Recommend giving it a try!

Service: Quick and efficient, had QR code to order, got seated right away on Sunday at 1pm, and food came out within 5 mins Food: ordered beef noodle soup and Taiwanese pork chop rice plate. Both were very flavorful, good portion, meat was tender and the right texture/flavor. Felt good for what I paid for. Other: they had both outdoor and indoor seatings, restaurant was overall pretty clean looking, and the vibe inside was fun and relaxed Parking: located in big plaza so plenty of parking and other things to do nearby Bonus: they tax on subtotal rather than total amount

I came here for lunch on a Friday and we were seated right away. The service is really great and we ended up all ordering the Mala Beef Noodle Soup. I love these noodle texture, and the mala spice had that signature slightly numbing spice in the perfect amount! The meat was also cooked perfectly and was coming apart as I ate it. I'd say this broth was more spicy than savory, and I'm not sure how I felt about the pickle side in the soup. Overall this place was pretty good and I can definitely see myself coming here when I am craving a noodle soup.

I tried the popcorn chicken rice plate here the other day and was pleasantly surprised! Even though Flaming Ox is a Taiwanese spot, I feel like it's more known for beef noodle dishes, so I wasn't sure what to expect with the Taiwanese popcorn chicken. After trying it, I probably would come back just for the chicken. The coating is super crispy and nicely seasoned, and the meat didn't feel too dry. Portion size was also good for the price. Service was very friendly and welcoming. Ambiance is akin to what you'd find in another fast casual spot. The only thing I don't like is that parking in this crowded plaza can be hard to find depending on the day, but not impossible. Overall, not sure if it's a place I'd crave all the time, but I'd definitely come back! Curious to try their beef noodle dishes as well :)

Great spot for quick, authentic Taiwanese food! Ordered a braise pork belly bowl, beef noodle soup, and a popcorn chicken appetizer to try. Everything was delicious and well portioned. The popcorn chicken came with a sweet soy glaze that was very unique. I preferred the pork belly bowl over the beef noodle soup however both were very good. Would definitely recommend this spot if you're in the area and in the mood for something home cooked!

Got the Chilled Cucumber, Mala Beef Noodle Soup, and Spicy Minced Pork Belly Rice Plate. Both plate and broth were great! The mala beef definitely has a spicy kick and it paired well with their side cucumber. We didnt have a wait time around 5:30pm but when we were seated it definitely got busy almost to 6 o'clock on a saturday and they dont have enough space for more tables so definitely recommend come earlier.

Tried this place while visiting on business based on a high rating that, put plainly, is undeserved. Popcorn chicken was burnt to a crisp, mala was more oily than rich, and neither were as spicy as the spice level suggested.

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.

The food is fantastic, served hot, and in great portions! I drive down from San Francisco at least twice a month just to eat here! The owners are typical Taiwanese friendly, helpful, and always so welcoming--" True Taiwanese Hospitality." (I'm in love with the Taiwanese!) The seating is roomy, and the owners have done a great job with the space they have. Make sure it's available to buy a jar of the hot sauce to take home! PS: In my bio, there is a picture of Jiufen. (That's how much I love Taiwan!)

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.

Yummy beef noodle soup place with large portions of meat! The beef falls apart so easily with just your chopsticks, the beef broth is on the lighter bone broth side but the taste is amplified with the chili crunch side! The minced pork over rice was so tender and soft I barely had to bite down on the pork! They give you a large portion in a bowl of rice with pickled vegetables too! Service was fast, there's a QR code to order but heads up the signal is sometimes a little slow so you may have to refresh the page to order. The store itself is on the smaller side with some tables outside, they don't take reservations so make sure you take advantage of the yelp waitlist if you have a larger party!

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.

The restaurant got quite busy so make sure you have time or get there early. They had a chilled veggies section, appetizers, beef noodles (their speciality), a vegan bowl, rice bowls and beverages. I ordered the chilled cucumbers and got the minced pork belly rice bowl. The Cucumbers were fresh and tasty. The bowl was very filling and enormous. I couldn't actually fully finish it. One wall had a great painting of a street with noodle vendors that added to the environment. The place was clean and well set up. It got very busy and loud but they also have outside seating.

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

Busy place located in a strip mall. Recommend visiting early evening before 5:30 PM to avoid waiting. They have Yelp waitlist. Popcorn chicken with seasoned spices and Basil leaves was a fantastic starter. Pork chops had just the right amount of tenderness and paired well with the vegetable sides. The ambiance is super casual, food chain vibe.

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!

Flaming Ox is located in the Brokaw Commons. The parking can be challenging during peak hours because of all the popular businesses, including City Sports Club, Noah's Bagels, Dave's Angry Chicken, Yoshi's, etc. The decor is cozy and welcoming. The staff is friendly and nice. Order via QR code or paper menu. Each table has its own condiments (salt, white pepper, soy sauce, black vinegar, & freshly minced chili peppers). cold water carafe provided too. Beef Noodle Soup: Choice of thin or wide noodles. All noodle soups are served with pickled mustard Greens, blanched green veggies, & sliced green onions. *Traditional: Taiwanese inspired, soy sauce based, meat broth, beefy flavor, spices (4/5). Served with signature chili oil. The broth just warms you up on a chilly day. Hey Song Soda (Taiwanese Dr Pepper). Milder, less sweet, and more sarsparilla flavor. Support your local business!

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.

3.5 stars Not sure why this place has such high ratings but besides the two outstanding servers who were knowledgeable and prompt with service, the basic Taiwanese starters were meh. 4 Appetizers--Tofu with Century Egg was way too salty even when I ordered "less sauce." Chilled cucumber was not "smashed" well and presented as coins so the marinade didn't take. Chilled eggplant didn't have any flavor. Tasted like eggplant cut in slices that came out of the fridge. The pickled cabbage was the only decent app. Beef Noodle Soup had 4 juicy and tender pieces of meat but the broth was lacking depth. Fried Pork Chop over Rice was a soggy pork chop with some light batter, not crispy Popcorn Chicken with basil did not taste like Taiwanese popcorn chicken with the white pepper kick. Crispy and salty but could have been from any store. Blanched greens (spinach) with shallots was overly seasoned with oyster sauce. Braised Pork Belly over Rice was not tender enough.

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

Casual restaurant with limited seating. Got there a bit before 12 and luckily got a table for 4 immediately. Once we left there was a line out the door though. Got to try the popcorn chicken, pork chop rice, and beef noodle soup. The popcorn chicken was crispy, flavorful, but a bit too salty. The pork chop rice was great, didn't need the extra sauce on the side. Also didn't like that you have to pay extra for some minced pork sauce over rice as other places have that on for free. Pork was very tender and soft! The beef noodle soup had tender beef and a flavorful broth which we liked. Noodles were standard. Will definitely return if I'm ever in the area!

Wow wow so good! Came here w my roommate and we tried a little of everything. Must get that spicy mala beef noodle! So flavorful and beefy with an actual kick. I downed the entire bowl. The bone beef broth is nice if you want something light and comforting. I just want to say this is the best beef I've had in a noodle soup. The chunks were very thick yet incredibly soft and tender. The noodles were nice and chewy and soaked up the flavor pretty well. We also loveddd their braised minced pork belly over rice which was just umami overload. Again, meat was so soft. Green onion pancakes were great, popcorn chicken was okay. I think we came on a Tuesday during lunch and it was PACKED. The place isn't so big so we had to wait a few minutes. All the workers were really nice. I knocked down one star simply because I've had beef noodle soup in Taiwan and nothing here truly compares. Also, prices were pretty high for a bowl of noodle soup. But it's a very close 5 star for me, and I would definitely come back!

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!

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!

Joined the Yelp waitlist (in-person kiosk) and it was a short wait of under 10 mins for a Sunday lunch around 12pm. Restaurant is pretty small and cozy. We shared the chilled eggplant, traditional beef noodle soup, and fried pork chop rice plate (added pork belly over rice for additional $1.50). Chilled eggplant was decent - would've preferred a softer exterior for the eggplants but that's my personal preference. Traditional beef noodle soup was pretty good and I liked that you get the option of thin / thick noodles. The broth was good and wasn't heavy at all so it didn't leave me feeling bloated after. The beef was very soft and had a good amount of tendon in it. Fried pork chop rice plate had good variety and was a generous portion. The fried pork chop itself was decent but really glad I got the additional pork belly over the rice. Loved the fatty pork belly pieces that made the rice extra flavorful and juicy. For the rice plate, you get the option of pickled cabbage or stir fried cabbage and I went with stir fried. Food came quickly and service was good.

Great option for an incredible Taiwanese spicy soup! For me, it's a 3.5/5. MALA: It has the pefect amount of SPICE that is bursting in your mouth! The soup has a great beef flavor, and their meatis incredibly TENDER, almost melts in your mouth! However, the broth is TOO SALTY for my preference. Towards the end, my lips tasted like I had salt chapstick applied around my lips. Service is impeccable! Their are very attentive, and they also check in on you often for your needs. The place has a casual vibe. It is located at a prime spot for getting all errands done!

A Hidden Gem with Authentic Taiwanese Flavors My girlfriend and I tried the traditional beef noodle soup and the pork chop rice plate--and both dishes were fantastic! The flavors were rich and comforting, and they instantly reminded me of the food back in Taiwan. Everything tasted fresh and authentic, just like home-cooked meals. If you're in the area and craving something hearty and delicious, I highly recommend giving this place a try. You won't be disappointed!

Came here with a friend & we ordered a mild popcorn chicken appetizer to split, along with the bone broth beef noodle soup and mala beef noodle soup (both with thick noodles). The popcorn chicken was so delicious! It came with basil leaves and a light dusting of chili powder. Really good breading & juicy meat. The mala beef noodle soup was so good, I had just undergone oral surgery & was finally able to have spicy food so this was definitely a great first meal to have! I loved the noodles & how tender the beef was, the broth was definitely on the spicier & saltier side so I consumed it in moderation but it had an amazing flavor. The bone broth noodle soup was fantastic, it had a clearer and more refreshing flavor that juxtaposed quite well with the more intense mala broth. Service was quite good, we got a water jug for refills and they asked whether we wanted smaller bowls to share which was very sweet of them. Definitely would come back here if I find myself in North San Jose again.

Always looking for a good Taiwanese beef noodle soup when I travel and literally found this awesome place five minutes from my hotel near the SJ airport! The price point was spot on and their choices of small pick foods was great - $6-$8.50. While I was there they had a happy hour which was $2 off my bowl of beef noodles. I started off with the chilled pickled cucumber and a jasmine ice tea. I went for the traditional beef noodle soup which the soup base was mild spicy and had quarter pound of three nice tender chunks of beef. The noodles were cooked perfectly. My server was good and even offered some advice on top things in the menu. The interior was very clean with an open kitchen where you can see them preparing the dishes. Judging by the wide choices on their menu and setting the other yummy dishes I saw others eating will definitely need to go back again!