Tainan's Guohua Street is a place with a very high density of delicious food; whether it’s braised pork buns, rice cake, or beef soup, you can find places with long lines just by walking around. However, this time my goal was more specific: I wanted to eat fish soup, and ideally, it should be made with fish freshly killed and cooked on the spot – the fresher, the better. The Shuixian Temple Sanxiong Fish Soup shop is located inside the Shuixian Temple market, and it’s an old shop that locals often frequent. At first glance, the sign might make you think it's just a fish soup stall, but after experiencing the food, you’ll feel that their braised pork rice could stand on its own as well.

Their braised pork rice features fatty meat with a light sauce color; it’s not overly salty, but instead has a subtle sweetness, and the gelatinous texture leaves your lips slightly sticky after eating. It’s rich but not greasy, full of aroma, and pairs perfectly with the fish soup.

During a previous visit, I asked the owner at the counter what kind of fish was available that day. I ended up trying a black ling fish and ordered it as a two-in-one dish: pan-fried fish + miso fish soup. It was incredibly impressive. The skin of the pan-fried fish was perfectly crispy, while the meat inside was tender and without any muddy taste; the soup tasted as if it had just been scooped from the sea, and the fish was so soft that even drinking the soup made my lips curl into a smile.

This time, I got to eat a red fish; the owner mentioned it was called 'red stripe fish,' but I had trouble understanding his Taiwanese. For those who know fish, maybe you can look at the photo and tell me what it is🤩. Anyway, it was also crisp on the outside, with delicate and tender meat, with hardly any bones, making it a comfortable bite.

What stood out to me about this shop is that the fish is really fresh, the frying technique is impressive, and the miso soup is not too strong, allowing you to taste the freshness of the fish. Overall, it’s very simple but has real strength. Pairing it with a bowl of braised pork rice was extremely satisfying. If you ask me to recommend a fish soup place on Guohua Street, I would unhesitatingly point to the Shuixian Temple shop first.

It is a long-established famous restaurant that insists on making fresh and delicious dishes. They have regular grouper and various types of fish caught on the same day. The staff is very thoughtful and suggests ordering the freshest catches of the day. They also consider your preferences to recommend suitable types of fish. You can freely choose the fish and different cooking methods, and the staff is very patient and enthusiastic. The lightly pan-fried baby squid has a creamy flavor and is very fresh and delicious. The chosen fish, golden snapper, has few bones, and the clear soup is very fresh and sweet, making it very tasty.