Kaohsiung’s Budget Eats: A Hidden “Mung Bean Soup” That Brings Back Childhood Memories

Text & Photos /Shadow

Aside from scallion meat buns, Youchang has another hidden gem—a mung bean soup spot. The more low-key a place is, the more we love it. We found the address online but couldn’t locate it even with a map. We walked up and down this road twice before finally recognizing it. This legendary mung bean soup shop is tucked away in a residential alley, with no signboard—only its appearance and address number give it away.

This shop has been operating locally for quite a long time and is known among residents as serving delicious mung bean soup. With no marketing at all, it relies solely on word of mouth from those who’ve tried it, and has become one of Youchang’s beloved street food snacks.

Besides mung bean soup, they also sell oden, though it’s not as popular. Most customers come specifically for the mung bean soup. The cooked mung bean soup is kept chilled with plenty of ice, and when customers arrive, it’s scooped into bags.

The same method is used for the black tea—there are lots of ice cubes around, and the tea itself is packed with ice. When bagging it, the ice cubes go in too.

Mung Bean Soup – NT$30

Serving the mung bean soup in a plastic bag is such a retro touch. The owner says it’s about 1000cc, a very generous portion that’s enough for two people.

The mung beans are distinct and tender—apparently, they’re steamed first before being simmered in sugar syrup, which helps them stay whole with intact skins. The sweetness is on the stronger side, reflecting the preference for sweeter flavors in earlier times.

Black Tea – NT$30

Also around 1000cc in volume, it comes with some ice cubes inside. Just pop in a straw, and it brings back memories of drinking bagged black tea as a kid.

The tea has a rich aroma—it doesn’t taste like just plain black tea, but seems to have a hint of herbal flavor too. It’s a bit sweet, but adding more ice helps balance the sweetness while keeping the flavor bold and enjoyable.

Even the price list on the wall is very basic, making it hard to tell it’s a shop at all.

This cheap and hearty mung bean soup is such a great deal. The owner makes it with an old-school, nostalgic flavor that brings back many memories. The couple running the shop are really friendly. It’s rare to see such a simple, unpretentious store these days. They’re committed to making delicious food, and customers who’ve tried it can definitely feel their care and effort. I wholeheartedly recommend it—if you’re ever in Youchang, don’t miss this super-hidden mung bean soup spot.

Youchang Mung Bean Soup
Address: No. 3, Lane 134-1, Youchang 1st Alley, Nanzih District, Kaohsiung City
Phone: 07-3613813
Business Hours: 09:30–18:00

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