[Taipei 台北] Sihai Soybean King ♦ 四海豆浆大王－Lynda's Taiwan-logue

< Visited in Mar 2019 & Nov 2018 >

Taiwanese breakfast needs no introduction, its popularity resulting in the local taste progressively being brought to other shores, even if not as impactful as pearl milk tea and chicken cutlet. For me, nothing beats eating the real deal in Taiwan, and do only the famous brands packed with tourists count as the real deal? Honestly, no. There are way too many gems that residents (in half jest) rather people from out of the city or country not know. Sihai (Four Seas) Soybean King 四海豆浆大王 is one such breakfast place for me.

Sihai Soybean King 四海豆浆大王 was one local breakfast place I came across when staying at (the now closed) Ulysses Hotel - just five minutes walk away. Another merit is its relatively long hours, from 6am to 10pm daily (except Sun, till 1pm) - according to Google Maps - though you can expect many items to be sold out during peak hours.

▲ If you are approaching from Zhongshan MRT Station, exit at R4, Zhongshan Metro (Underground) Mall.

▲ If not for its red signboard, the eatery is pretty easy to miss.

▼ Typical of local breakfast places, you can catch all the food and preparation right at the shopfront. Perhaps to entice customers, and for ease of ordering.

▼ Photos were taken over multiple visits and different times of the day. During peak hours, you will likely find two queues, one for dining in and another for takeout. If in doubt, feel free to check with the customer at the end of the queue - locals are usually quite helpful.

▼ Waiting with menu and order sheet in hand, and nearing the order cashier. By now, hungry customers would be even hungrier, admiring all the food within the preparation area.

▼ The lady in red takes orders and accepts payment - customers need to collect your own food when ready. If dining in with companions, you can try to get seats first while waiting for your food.

▼ One trip with two companions (the top right of the order sheet is where you can indicate dining in or takeout)
- warm/iced "rice milk" (but in reality a thick peanut and rice milk beverage) / small 温/冰米浆 / 小 NT$18
- iced soybean milk 冰豆浆 NT$18
- broth filled steamed (usually pork) dumpling 小笼汤包 NT$70 (8pcs - also available in 4pcs at NT$35)
- pork patty with egg in pancake roll 猪排蛋饼 NT$38

▼ Other than a laminated English and Chinese menu with illustration, there is a Chinese menu on the wall. I can only say, I have too many favourites off any Taiwanese breakfast menu.

▼ Seating is limited, at a glance about 10 tables for less than 50 pax (and sitting shoulder to shoulder).

▼ Breakfast for three
A) broth filled steamed (usually pork) dumpling 小笼汤包 NT$70 (8pcs - also available in 4pcs at NT$35)
B) pork patty with egg in pancake roll 猪排蛋饼 NT$38 (x2)
C) warm/iced "rice milk" (but in reality a thick peanut and rice milk beverage) / small 温/冰米浆 / 小 NT$18 (x2)
D) warm soybean milk 温豆浆 NT$18

▼ On another trip, enjoying my favourites again - rice milk, egg with pancake roll and radish cake 萝卜糕 NT$12.

▼ Having one more go on a last day of trip before making my way to the airport, pork patty egg with pancake roll...

... and taking away (back to my home country!) in my own thermal bag ...

... (literally translated as) clay oven roll 烧饼 + dough fritter 油条 NT$34; and glutinous rice roll with omelette 糯米饭团加蛋 NT$40. Portion here is for three of us at home.