At the table
Use a spoon for soup and chopsticks for the meat. Stir in a little extra vinegar or chili only after tasting. Order soup alone, or confirm whether noodles, rice vermicelli or rice are included.
Contains fish and sesame. Fish paste and fried shallots may contain other binders or seasonings; check for wheat, egg or soy if relevant. Not every rougeng uses fish paste, so ask about the actual version.
Contains fish and sesame. Fish paste and fried shallots may contain other binders or seasonings; check for wheat, egg or soy if relevant. Not every rougeng uses fish paste, so ask about the actual version.
GET TO KNOW THE DISH
What goes into it?
Explore some key ingredients below. Preparations may use additional seasonings and ingredients.
Contains fish and sesame. Fish paste and fried shallots may contain other binders or seasonings; check for wheat, egg or soy if relevant. Not every rougeng uses fish paste, so ask about the actual version.
Typical ingredients
In some versions
Recipes vary by restaurant.
How does it taste?
Tender pork strips in a lightly thickened savory soup with bamboo shoots and shiitake. This version coats the pork in springy fish paste, giving each piece a soft bite with a firmer center.
- Chili heat
- Texture
- Tender pork strips in a lightly thickened savory soup with bamboo shoots and shiitake. This version coats the pork in springy fish paste, giving each piece a soft bite with a firmer center.
- How it’s made
- Marinate pork with black vinegar, sesame oil, sugar and fried shallots, coat with fish paste and poach. Simmer pork-bone broth with bamboo shoots, shiitake, salt and sugar, thicken with sweet-potato starch and add the pork, sesame oil and coriander.
Contains fish and sesame. Fish paste and fried shallots may contain other binders or seasonings; check for wheat, egg or soy if relevant. Not every rougeng uses fish paste, so ask about the actual version.
A CONNECTION TO PLACE
Origin & regional roots
Associated with Taiwan.
About this regional connection
Taiwan: Pork thick soup is part of Taiwanese small-shop and market cooking.
Ask if they have it first
请问你们有台式肉羹吗？
Do you have this item?
A LITTLE SOMETHING TO READ
Story & history
Taiwanese pork thick soup (rougeng)
Rougeng belongs to Taiwan’s small-shop soup tradition. Cooks vary the meat coating and soup thickness; noodles or rice turn the same soup into a more substantial meal rather than a different meat filling.
