Tender and melt-in-your-mouth pork ribs, slow-cooked to perfection — a sweet and savory broth that’s even better with a touch of sugar

▲The sweet and tender pork meat requires little effort to chew — the ribs are so soft they practically melt in your mouth.

Photos & Text /Shadow

At the bustling intersection of Xifeng Street and Harbin Street, no spot is livelier than Zhangji Pork Ribs. Despite its long history and the decline of Xifeng Night Market, business here remains unaffected. Come mealtime, it’s always packed with a steady stream of customers.

As for why we came, it’s because after trying the Xifeng lamb earlier, we realized every snack stall here is so beloved by locals — definitely worth introducing to everyone. That’s why we made another trip to Xifeng Street on a later date.

It was during a cold snap, with everyone bundled up in heavy coats, yet only this stall’s steamer kept puffing out clouds of hot steam. With no proper storefront, they operate under the arcade or by the roadside, with no fully enclosed dining space to block the chilly wind. Even so, people still flock here to warm up with a bowl of these decades-old aromatic pork ribs. What’s the charm? Let’s find out for ourselves.


The counter is already lined with pork ribs waiting to be steamed. The ribs are pre-marinated and ready to go into the steamer with winter melon, while the already-steamed ones are being served to customers one bowl at a time. Day after day, the same routine continues, yet the boss remains full of energy.


The simple price list on the wall shows all the items for sale, each costing no more than 50 NT — incredibly affordable.


Stewed Chicken Feet with Mushrooms (45 NT): Served in a retro-style clay pot, this dish must have been using the same container for quite a while. The chicken feet are rich in collagen, and the mushrooms are fragrant, though a layer of chicken oil floats on top, it doesn’t feel overly greasy — especially when served hot, it’s invigorating.

Even my husband, who usually dislikes picking at chicken feet, was willing to eat them thanks to this soup. The chicken feet are tender enough, and while they do take some effort, they’re full of collagen — great for women.


Pork Ribs (45 NT): The daily fresh-fried pork ribs are steamed with winter melon, resulting in an incredibly sweet broth. This is mainly due to the salt and sugar added for flavor, plus the marinade seeping into the soup, giving it an amber hue.

To prevent customers from burning their fingers, the rib bowls are placed inside larger bowls — not only to avoid burns but also to make it easy to discard the bones. Such a thoughtful touch. The pork meat carries a hint of pepper aroma, and all the seasonings are locked into the meat. No wonder this is the shop’s signature dish — a soup you shouldn’t miss.


Glutinous Rice Cake (25 NT): Plain sticky rice topped with generous amounts of shredded pork floss and a bit of tender ginger — simple yet full of old-school charm. It may not be the best glutinous rice cake around, and the sauce isn’t particularly mind-blowing, but it’s still decent when eaten plain with the rice. The grains are firm and chewy, making for a fairly solid performance overall.


Pork Rice (20 NT): Compared to the glutinous rice cake, the pork rice lacks a bit of wow factor. The pork sauce isn’t particularly outstanding, lacking any truly memorable elements. If you’re just looking to fill up, it’s passable, but in terms of deliciousness, it probably wouldn’t make my top ten list.


This shop is famous for its pork ribs, and the soups are of a certain standard. No matter which soup you order here, you probably won’t be disappointed. As for the glutinous rice cake or pork rice, it depends on personal taste — some like rich sauces, others prefer lighter flavors, but the pork ribs are a must-order. Don’t miss them if you pass by.

[Zhangji Pork Ribs]

Address:No. 99, Harbin St., Sanmin District, Kaohsiung (left side)
Phone:07-3126310
Business Hours:16:00～23:00

ShadowSpecializing in introducing local snacks from Kaohsiung and Pingtung. Hope to find more food buddies through sharing~ Also welcome everyone to leave the address, store name, and recommended dishes of your hidden gem snacks on the “Foodie Community” graffiti wall. A food review will be shared with you soon！

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