Sishen soup, also known as Four Herbs Soup (), is a traditional Taiwanese soup widely enjoyed as a comforting and health-promoting
xiaochi
''Xiaochi'' () is an important category of Chinese street food, commonly found in Chinese populated communities around the world. ''Xiaochi'' are substantial snacks, which can be eaten together or with more substantial dishes like the Spanish t ...
. Known for its herbal properties, this soup is typically made using
traditional Chinese medicine
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is an alternative medicine, alternative medical practice drawn from traditional medicine in China. A large share of its claims are pseudoscientific, with the majority of treatments having no robust evidence ...
ingredients and is a popular dish in
night markets
Night markets or night bazaars ( zh, 夜市) are street markets which operate at night and are generally dedicated to more leisurely strolling, shopping, and eating than more businesslike day markets. The culture of night markets originates from C ...
and eateries across Taiwan. The soup is particularly valued during colder months or as a remedy for fatigue, reflecting the fusion of traditional medicinal beliefs with everyday culinary practices.
Ingredients and Preparation
The name 四神, which translates to Four Deities, refers to the four primary ingredients in the soup, traditionally considered to have medicinal benefits in Chinese herbal cuisine. The typical ingredients include:
*
Lotus seed
Lotus or LOTUS may refer to:
Plants
* List of plants known as lotus, a list of various botanical taxa commonly known as lotus, particularly:
**'' Nelumbonaceae'', a single-genus family of aquatic flowering plants, consisting of just two species ...
s: Known to aid digestion and calm the mind.
*
Chinese yam
''Dioscorea polystachya'' or Chinese yam ( zh, s=山药, t=山藥), also called cinnamon-vine, is a species of flowering plant in the yam family. It is sometimes called Chinese potato or by its Korean name ''ma''. It is also called huaishan in M ...
: Believed to improve digestion and enhance kidney function.
*
Gorgon fruit: Aids in reducing excess moisture in the body.
*
Barley
Barley (), a member of the grass family, is a major cereal grain grown in temperate climates globally. It was one of the first cultivated grains; it was domesticated in the Fertile Crescent around 9000 BC, giving it nonshattering spikele ...
: Often used to promote healthy skin and reduce inflammation.
In addition to these core ingredients, Sishen Soup often includes:
* Pork intestines or ribs: Commonly used to add richness and flavor.
* Ginger and garlic: To enhance the taste and provide warmth.
* Herbs and spices: Such as dried
tangerine
The tangerine is a type of citrus fruit that is orange in colour, that is considered either a variety of the mandarin orange (''Citrus reticulata''), or a closely related species, under the name ''Citrus tangerina'', or yet as a hybrid (''Citr ...
peel or medicinal roots to boost the soup's health benefits.
The ingredients are simmered for hours to produce a broth with a mild, earthy flavour that is both soothing and nutritious. While the classic version features pork intestines, many vendors offer variations to cater to diverse tastes. These include vegetarian options by using mushrooms or tofu as substitutes.
Origins
Despite a common belief that Sishen Soup originates from
China
China, officially the People's Republic of China (PRC), is a country in East Asia. With population of China, a population exceeding 1.4 billion, it is the list of countries by population (United Nations), second-most populous country after ...
, the dish is distinctly Taiwanese in its preparation and cultural context. While it incorporates ingredients and concepts from traditional Chinese medicine, its modern form, flavor profile, and presentation have been shaped by Taiwanese culinary practices. The term "四神" (Sì Shén) is a homophonic misnomer of "四臣" (Sì Chén), both pronounced similarly in
Taiwanese Hokkien
Taiwanese Hokkien ( , ), or simply Taiwanese, also known as Taigi ( zh, c=臺語, tl=Tâi-gí), Taiwanese Southern Min ( zh, c=臺灣閩南語, tl=Tâi-uân Bân-lâm-gí), Hoklo and Holo, is a variety of the Hokkien language spoken natively ...
. Sishen Soup is commonly paired with other Taiwanese specialties, such as
Bah-oân or
Gua bao
''Koah-pau'' or ''gua bao'' or ''cuapao'' also known as a pork belly bun, ambiguously as bao, or erroneously as bao bun, is a type of lotus leaf bun originating from Fujianese cuisine in China. It is also a popular snack in Taiwan, Singapo ...
. Taiwanese vendors have adapted the recipe to emphasize taste and accessibility, creating a comforting dish rather than a strictly medicinal one.
See also
*
Taiwanese cuisine
Taiwanese cuisine ( or ) is a popular style of food with several variations, including Chinese cuisine, Chinese and that of Taiwanese indigenous peoples, with the earliest cuisines known of being the indigenous ones. With over a hundred years of ...
References
{{Taiwanese cuisine
Taiwanese soups