Started as a street vendor, Ah Shui’s Pig Trotters Have a “Divine Taste” – Even the Little Tigers Loved Them

▲ Ah Shui’s Pig Trotters, carrying on their father’s excellent craftsmanship, were once beloved by stars like the Little Tigers and Yang Fan. (Photo / Reporter Chen Zi-Yin)

Reporter Chen Zi-Yin / Taipei Report

Located in Taipei’s East District, “Ah Shui’s King of Pig Trotters” originated in Taichung. Even as the second branch in Taipei, its reputation remains stellar. The amber-hued pig trotters were once the favorite of pop stars like the Little Tigers and Yang Fan during the heyday of the Empire Grand Theater.

“My father had a very sensitive palate and loved eating pig trotters. Back then, he felt that the Tainan-style ones were too sweet, and the Taipei-style ones too salty, so he chose a more balanced spot in Taichung to start as a street vendor,” said the founder’s daughter, referring to her father. The original Taichung store has been around for 50 years, while the Taipei branch has been operating for 18 years. Continuing her father’s techniques, the shop uses an aged brine made with soy sauce, scallions, garlic, brown sugar, and rice wine—enhanced with sugarcane juice for extra flavor. The pig trotters are simmered in this aged brine for four hours and then left to rest for another half day. Regular customer Ms. Chen said, “The taste of these pig trotters is truly unique. They have a rich, divine savoriness and you can really taste the meat’s aroma—it’s incredibly fresh.”

  
▲ The pig trotters are simmered for four hours and then rested for another half day—a labor-intensive process. (Photo / Reporter Chen Zi-Yin)

Besides sticking to the classic pig trotters, the shop owner also created her own “Ultimate Pig Trotter Noodles”—claiming they’re the best in Taiwan. The noodles are not just stir-fried with sesame oil but also drizzled with the pig trotter brine and chicken broth. The owner explained, “Taiwan is humid, and noodles tend to get mushy. We worked with the supplier through multiple trials to create a thicker noodle than usual—one with a different texture.” Though they may look like regular noodles, they offer unexpectedly rich layers of flavor. Paired with tender yet not overly soft pig trotters that are deeply flavorful, the dish is absolutely delicious.


▲ The shop owner’s self-developed noodles aim to be the best in Taiwan. (Photo / Reporter Chen Zi-Yin)
 
▲ As for the large intestines, the owner says they are thoroughly cleaned without excessive degreasing, and the tendon is flavorful and chewy. (Photo / Reporter Chen Zi-Yin)

【Shop Information】
Ah Shui’s King of Pig Trotters
Address: No. 235-1, Section 4, Zhongxiao East Road, Taipei City
Phone: (02) 2752-1997
Business Hours: 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM, Open Every Day

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