THE INGREDIENTS
Different combinations
Job’s tears, lotus seeds, yam, and other soup ingredients depend on the recipe.
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TAIWAN, ONE DISH AT A TIME
Si Shen Tang — Taiwanese Four-Herb Soup四神湯 · Si Shen Tang
Gentle grain flavors, a warm pause in the day.
Si shen tang is less mysterious to taste than its name may suggest. A pale or milky-looking broth may hold Job’s tears, lotus seeds, and other soup ingredients alongside pork intestine or another meat. It brings gentle grain flavors and each shop’s own aromas. With a steamed bun, mi gao, or another staple, it adds a quiet moment for a spoonful of soup.
For a first visit, what is in the bowl matters more than memorizing a story about its herbs. Recipes differ in the soup ingredients, use of offal, and possible rice-wine or angelica-wine seasoning. Approach it as a dish with flavors and textures to explore: sip the broth, then try an ingredient you feel comfortable with.
7 places to explore • DISHES & PLACES
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THE MEAT
Ask which part is used
Pork intestine is common, but other meat options may be available.
THE AROMA
Wine is not a fixed rule
Alcohol may be in the broth or added later; smell alone is not a reliable guide.
THE GUIDE MEETS THE TABLE
Where to try Si Shen Tang — Taiwanese Four-Herb Soup
Choose an MRT area or station, then open a shop page for the actual dish and directions.
Station codes and line colors match the selected MRT area.
7 shops in this selection
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R12Shuanglian · 雙連Taipei / New Taipei / Tamsui-Xinyi Line
Four Herbs Soup
四神湯
阿桐阿寶四神湯
A Tong A Bao Si Shen Tang
The pork-bone broth is clean, the intestine chewy, and the pearl barley plump. Adding angelica wine introduces herbal and alcoholic aromas.
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Dish photo unavailable
G01Xindian · 新店Taipei / New Taipei / Songshan-Xindian Line
Warming Four-Herb Soup
溫補四神湯
赤崁傳統美食舖
Chi Kan Traditional Food Shop
Mellow and naturally sweet, with small intestine and both small and large barley grains. Easy to sip and generous with ingredients.
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Dish photo unavailable
O01Nanshijiao · 南勢角Taipei / New Taipei / Zhonghe-Xinlu Line
Four-Herb Soup
四神湯
豬一十五 新北中和店
Zhu Yi Shi Wu
The milky broth contains pork stomach, intestine, lotus seeds, and pearl barley. Generous ingredients and mild herbal fragrance reset the palate after spicy noodles and gua bao.
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Dish photo unavailable
O12Daqiaotou · 大橋頭Taipei / New Taipei / Zhonghe-Xinlu Line
Four-Herb Soup
四神湯
妙口四神湯肉包
Miao Kou Si Shen Tang Rou Bao
The broth is relatively dark, with herbal fragrance and a light rice-wine note layered over mellow sweetness. The intestine stays tender yet springy, while Job's tears and lotus seeds are cooked soft and creamy.
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Dish photo unavailable
BL20Houshanpi · 後山埤Taipei / New Taipei / Bannan Line
Mixed Four-Herb Soup
四神湯綜合
松山割包
Song Shan Gua Bao
Pork intestine and tripe share the same bowl: the intestine is tender and rich, while the tripe keeps a lightly crisp bite. The portion of ingredients is generous. Job’s tears and lotus seeds are cooked soft, creating contrast with the offal, and the clear broth carries a gentle rice-wine aroma. A good pick for anyone who likes offal texture and the flavor of four-herb soup.
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Dish photo unavailable
O18Xinzhuang · 新莊Taipei / New Taipei / Zhonghe-Xinlu Line
Four-Herb Soup
四神湯
阿淑清蒸肉圓
A Shu Qing Zheng Rou Yuan
The generous soup contains chewy intestine and abundant ingredients, with gentle ginseng-wine and rice aromas. Substantial but not greasy, it refreshes the palate beside meatballs or bowl rice cake.
See this dish at the shopMenus and availability may change. Check with the shop before visiting.
A FEW WORDS GO A LONG WAY
Your first order, made simple
Start with the menu and portion size. The Chinese phrases below can help you ask; choices and adjustments depend on the shop.
Find out what is in the bowl
這碗有哪些湯料和肉？
What soup ingredients and meat are in this bowl?
Ask about alcohol
湯裡有酒嗎？可以不加嗎？
Is there alcohol in the soup? Could it be left out? Ask whether it is already in the stock.
Choose one staple
可以配包子或米糕嗎？
Can I order a bun or mi gao with it? Check the available menu.
FIND YOUR FLAVOR
A different kind of soup alongside your meal
Compare the preparation, texture, and serving style to decide what you would enjoy.
四神湯與一般清湯
Si shen tang and a simple clear soup
Grains or herbal ingredients and the chosen meat can contribute texture and aroma beyond the stock itself.
What to look for
The ingredients you want to try.
單一肉料與綜合湯
One meat ingredient or a mixed bowl
A mixed bowl may offer several textures; a single-ingredient option can keep the order more familiar.
What to look for
Check which options the shop actually serves.
GO A LITTLE DEEPER
Get to know the bowl through its ingredients
Soup and a staple form an everyday partnership
A bun, mi gao, or another snack can give si shen tang a different place in the meal. The broth provides a gentler contrast to the main food. There is no Taiwan-wide rule for the pairing; looking at the shop’s own specialties is a useful starting point.
One name does not mean one identical recipe
Versions may use Job’s tears, lotus seeds, fox nuts, yam, poria, or other ingredients. The mixture differs, and not every ingredient will necessarily appear whole in the bowl. Try the softness of a grain or lotus seed, then the broth, instead of focusing only on ingredient names.
You can ask about the offal before deciding
Pork intestine has a particular chew, while other cuts have different textures. For a first taste of offal, ask what is included and how much. You need not order a mixed bowl; some shops offer a meat you already know.
Distinguish wine aroma from the rest of the broth
Some versions carry wine or herbal notes, while others are simpler. If avoiding alcohol, ask about both the broth and final seasoning; heating should not be treated as a guarantee that none remains. Otherwise, take small sips and notice how the aromas sit alongside the ingredients.
Before your first order
Does si shen tang always contain pork intestine?
It is a common choice, not a universal requirement. Check the menu for the meat used and any alternative versions.
Can I order it without a wine flavor?
Ask whether wine is used and at what stage. A final addition may be optional, but wine already in the broth may not be removable.
What should I eat with my first bowl?
Choose one available staple, such as a bun or mi gao, then check the portions before adding more. There is no required pairing.
KEEP EXPLORING
Another Taiwan flavor is waiting at the next stop.
Compare another Taiwan flavor, or return to the MRT food finder.