Bao Xing Tang Braised Pork Rice & Lamb Soup

Review

Bao Xing Tang is at No. 179, Section 3, Muxin Road in Wenshan, with two headline signs promising hand-cut braised pork rice and warming herbal lamb soup. Supertaste puts it first in its Muzha food guide, and TVBS and a travel site also list it as a Muzha must-eat. The interior is retro, its walls hung with old objects and vintage signs like an old-time corner shop, and it is a regular haunt for Muzha locals.

The signature braised pork rice uses knife-cut pork cubes instead of mince, with a high share of fat and a rich, oily fragrance that is even better with a braised egg. The warming lamb soup carries a Chinese herbal aroma and tastes mellow rather than heating, and there is also a lamb chop soup; side dishes such as braised bamboo shoots are often recommended. Sources give no exact prices, so follow the menu on site; overall it is budget street food.

Fans love how well the pork rice and lamb soup go together, the friendly owner and the photogenic retro décor, and regulars call it an everyday meal they never tire of. Critics find the pork rice too greasy, almost all fat with no lean meat, and the mains heavy; the shop is small, peak times mean waiting for a seat, there is no English menu and drinks are limited.

Hours differ by source, so check before you go: Supertaste lists Tuesday to Sunday 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 4:30 to 8:45 p.m., closed Mondays, while Google currently shows only weekend evenings. Seating is limited and the dinner rush often brings a queue, so avoid 6 to 7 p.m. Parking is scarce; a bus to Muxin Road or a transfer from MRT Wanfang Community Station is easier.

Good for anyone seeking a warm, old-fashioned meal in Muzha, or a bowl of herbal soup in winter. First-timers can order pork rice with a braised egg, a bowl of lamb soup and a plate of bamboo shoots or blanched greens; if you dislike fat, ask for less. Expect about NT$100 to NT$250 per person.