Whether there's angelica or not isn't the point—4 great four-ingredient herbal soup spots in the Greater Taipei area

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

Recently, a man got so upset about not finding angelica in his four-ingredient herbal soup that he smashed up the eatery, leaving the owner feeling helpless. In fact, the original recipe for four-ingredient herbal soup was made with Chinese yam, gorgon fruit, lotus seeds, poria, and pork tripe. Later, Job’s tears replaced poria, and some versions even use angelica or angelica wine instead of Chinese yam. But since angelica tends to dissolve after prolonged cooking, it often can’t be seen in the soup. Still, whether there's angelica or not shouldn’t be the focus—the real question is how tasty the soup is.

▲This hearty, ingredient-packed four-ingredient herbal soup is a true signature dish—you can also add angelica wine for extra flavor. (Photo / Reporter Hsieh Ting-ting)

A-Tong A-Bao Four-Ingredient Herbal Soup
Looking for a more nutritious late-night option? Open from daytime until 5 AM, A-Tong A-Bao Four-Ingredient Herbal Soup revives every foodie’s empty, lonely, and cold stomach. Their signature four-ingredient herbal soup is loaded with pork intestines, and the broth is rich, sweet, and lightly fragrant with Chinese herbs. Want to make it even more flavorful? Add a few drops of the shop’s homemade angelica wine for an extra kick.

Address: No. 153, Minsheng West Road, Datong District, Taipei City
Phone: 02-2557-6926

▲Double-tube four-ingredient herbal soup—with an extra layer of intestine stuffed inside for an amazing chewy texture. (Photo / Provided photo)

Kao Ji Double-Tube Four-Ingredient Herbal Soup
Opened in 1966, Kao Ji is a long-standing spot in Jingmei Night Market, best known for its double-tube four-ingredient herbal soup. The “double tube” refers to the technique of stuffing one small intestine inside another, creating a unique double-layer texture. The store also serves oyster vermicelli, fried rice, and dried oysters, each with its own loyal following.

Address: No. 139, Jingmei Street, Wenshan District, Taipei City

▲The signature four-ingredient herbal soup has a rich broth and strong aroma, with tender pork intestines—a favorite among foodies. (Photo / Provided photo)

Xinzhong Stinky Tofu
Unless you’re a local, you’d probably never find this stinky tofu shop tucked away in an alleyway corner. With a simple stall and a few tables and chairs set up on the sidewalk, the owner has been running the place for over 20 years. The four-ingredient herbal soup is also a signature dish here. The broth, simmered for one to two hours with pork bones and angelica, paired with Job’s tears, is wonderfully aromatic and full-bodied. The pork intestines are cooked to just the right tenderness, making them incredibly easy to eat. No wonder many regulars always order this signature four-ingredient herbal soup.

Address: No. 13-2, Xinzhong Street, Taipei City
Phone: 02-2760-6756

Cisheng Temple Four-Ingredient Herbal Soup
The four-ingredient herbal soup stand in front of Cisheng Temple in Dadaocheng is a 60-year-old veteran. Their mixed-flavor four-ingredient herbal soup is a crowd favorite. Though the “four ingredients” have been simplified down to just Job’s tears, the pork belly is rich and tender, the pork and rice noodles intestines are crispy yet soft, and the small intestines are delightfully chewy. Aside from the mixed version, you can also order pork belly, pork intestines, rice noodles intestines, and small intestines separately.

Location: Opposite No. 34, Lane 49, Bao’an Street, Datong District, Taipei City
Phone: 0922-042-742