Soybean curd with a smoky aroma, the key to its deliciousness: none other than Guanyin (the Bodhisattva)

▲The tofu pudding has a hint of smoky fragrance, which is the biggest hallmark of Shan Wei Tofu Pudding.

Text and photos by Wife No. 95

For the sweet-toothed "Wife No. 95", hidden tofu pudding and sweet soup shops tucked away in alleys and side streets are the perfect spots for post-meal desserts. Located in Taipei’sShan Wei Tofu Pudding, it is one of her favorite spots. After cycling or jogging around Dadaocheng Wharf, she always rewards herself with a bowl of cool tofu pudding here.

Compared to typical sweet soup shops, Shan Wei Tofu Pudding’s tofu has a rich bean fragrance and a slight old-fashioned smoky flavor. When paired with sweet syrup and toppings, it offers a layered taste. Moreover, the way the shop scoops the tofu is bold, so every piece in the bowl is thick and tender. The tofu itself is not only smooth but also has a certain firmness, making it very satisfying to eat in big bites.

▲The shop’s retro-style decor matches perfectly with the flavors of its own products.

In addition to common toppings like tapioca pearls, Job’s tears, red beans, and peanuts, the shop also offers white fungus, taro, and lotus seeds, totaling over ten different options. Take the Job’s tears—Wife No. 95’s favorite—for example: they’re not too mushy, nor overly sweet to overshadow the tofu. Other bean products are distinct yet soft, each with its own unique flavor. Sweet potatoes and taro that have been slow-cooked for a long time have a slight bite and bring out their natural sweetness, making them popular toppings at the shop.

For those who enjoy frozen treats, Shan Wei Tofu Pudding also offers shaved ice and snowflake ice, along with nearly twenty types of tea drinks and more than ten kinds of sweet soups like peanut soup and mung bean soup. The variety is quite extensive. On a hot day, a bowl of mixed shaved ice is instantly refreshing.

▲Tea drinks, tofu pudding, shaved ice, and sweet soups—there are dozens of products to choose from.

The outgoing and chatty owner shared during a chat that the name “Shan Wei Tofu Pudding” doesn’t come from cooking the tofu over cedar wood, but because his nickname is “A Shan”, and he wants customers to taste“the flavor of A Shan”.Hence the name Shan Wei Tofu Pudding.

What does “the flavor of A Shan” taste like? The shop owner, who is part of the “Class of ’55”, explained that back then, most tofu puddings on the market were mass-produced by machines, lacking the smoky aroma he remembered from childhood. So he insisted on using non-GMO soybeans and traditional methods to preserve that natural, old-fashioned smokiness in the tofu, allowing more people to taste that nostalgic flavor from his memories.

▲An array of icy toppings that look absolutely mouthwatering.

Although many younger customers can’t quite accept the smoky taste, the owner believes there’s no single flavor that everyone will love. So as long as even 0.01% of customers enjoy this subtle old-fashioned taste, he’ll keep doing it. Over the 14 years since opening, this smoky flavor has become “the flavor of A Shan” and the unchanging trademark of Shan Wei Tofu Pudding.

▲The deft movements of the chef, scooping tofu from the ice bucket.

Besides his personal commitment, the owner humbly says the real reason behind Shan Wei Tofu Pudding’s popularity is“faith”.A devout Buddhist, Owner A Shan believes that viewing the food business through the lens of religion—such as karma and good deeds—makes him more cautious and meticulous about ingredient hygiene and cooking processes. With faith as support, profit is no longer his main goal. Instead, the true purpose of running the shop is to let every customer eat healthily and happily with a “clear conscience”.

▲Some vintage items in the shop add a touch of rustic charm to the dining atmosphere.

The owner jokes that really, any religion can provide the strength of conviction. That’s why there are no surveillance cameras in Shan Wei Tofu Pudding. Instead,the Bodhisattva enshrined on the wall silently encourages the staff to fulfill their duties and uphold their ideals for food quality.

%The bustling scene of customers enjoying their meals here is actually a reflection of the owner’s faith from decades ago.