隨著六月南風吹拂，夏天正式拉開序幕。
每年夏日時節，旅巷總是會讓旅人有機會嚐嚐這最在地的滋味「麻薏」。走在台中的舊城區，你會發現許多傳統小攤的餐牌上，悄悄掛上了麻薏湯。在每年不斷地介紹下，相信旅巷的老朋友們對麻薏早就不陌生；今年，這碗湯更是在知名台中作家楊双子的《台灣漫遊錄》得獎加持下，變得更廣為人知（還沒買書的大家趕快買下去～）。
還不認識麻薏湯的旅人，可以看看農業部分享的麻薏湯小短文分享唷！
這道呈濃稠綠色、帶著甘苦底蘊的湯品，對土生土長的台中人小管家來說，有著特別的記憶。小時候看著那碗綠綠的湯其實覺得有點可怕，但那入口後苦中帶甜的滋味，是每個夏天因為天氣熱、胃口不好時，身體會自動渴望的消暑良藥。現在，小管家總會在推薦台中必吃美食時，第一個推薦給所有旅人。雖然常常得到旅人喝不懂的評價，但看著大家挑戰台中特有的味道，還是覺得無比高興。
我們這幾年開發的麻薏檸檬凍飲、麻薏酸種麵包、還是麻薏檸檬飲，都是希望讓還沒吃過麻薏的人，願意跨出嘗試的第一步。而今年，我們特地與在地的老字號麵攤合作，為大家準備最傳統的麻薏湯。阿姨在舊城區煮了幾十年，每到夏天，便用那雙溫暖的手悉心搓揉麻薏、沖洗去除苦水，再與金黃的地瓜一同慢火細熬。在這個六月的每個週日早晨，為了讓所有來到旅巷的旅人都能享受這份美味，阿姨特別熬煮了純蔬食版(不加魩仔魚)，僅用最純粹的黃麻嫩葉與地瓜，呈現最原始的甘甜。
歡迎你在週日早晨醒來，喝上一碗最接地氣的台中味。。
(蔬食早餐自助吧用餐時間：7:30 am~10:00am)
旅巷的私房推薦：在地麻薏老店地圖
如果你不小心錯過了旅巷的週日早餐，或者在平日也想品嚐更多不同風味的麻薏湯，小管家特別為你挑選了三家步行或騎 Youbike 就能抵達的在地老店：
- 炒麵 便當 切仔麵 麻薏 阿姨的店。除了夏天必喝的麻薏湯外，他們的古早味便當與現切的切仔麵也是一絕，是非常平實溫暖的在地早餐、午餐選擇。
- 山河魯肉飯（第二市場老店） 來到第二市場絕對不能錯過的名店！點一碗香氣四溢、肥而不膩的爌肉飯，再配上一碗甘甜消暑的麻薏湯，這就是老台中人最滿足、最經典的夏日午餐組合。
- 廖家麵攤（第五市場） 如果你計畫到附近的台中文學館或漫畫博物館走走，千萬別錯過第五市場的廖家麵攤。這裡的古早味麵食配上一碗熱騰騰的麻薏湯，能讓你用最在地的味覺記憶為這趟舊城散策劃下完美句點。
As the June breeze ushers in the summer heat, a unique culinary tradition quietly appears across the old streets of Taichung: “Ma-Yi” (Jute) soup.
Every summer, Loosha loves introducing this deeply local flavor to our travelers. Thanks to our annual introductions, many of Loosha’s long-time friends are already familiar with Ma-Yi. This year, the soup has gained even broader recognition worldwide, thanks to its feature in the award-winning novel Taiwan Travelogue by famous Taichung author Yang Shuang-zi (highly recommended for your travel reading list!).
This thick, vibrant green soup, with its complex balance of initial bitterness and sweet aftertaste, holds a special place in the heart of our housekeeper, a born-and-raised Taichung local. “As a kid, I was honestly intimidated by this bright green soup,” they recall. “But I realized its bittersweet flavor was exactly what my body craved during those hot summer days when I lost my appetite.” Now, it’s always the first local recommendation we give to travelers. Even though we often hear guests say they “don’t quite get the taste,” we are always thrilled to share this Taichung-exclusive experience.
At Loosha, we believe that the best part of traveling is experiencing local life just like a resident. Over the years, we have developed creative treats like Ma-Yi Lemon Jelly, Ma-Yi Sourdough Bread, and Ma-Yi Lemon Drinks, all to help travelers take that brave first sip.
This June, we are partnering with a legacy local noodle stall nearby to bring you the most traditional version of Ma-Yi soup. The hosting auntie has been cooking in our historic district for decades; every summer, she hand-picks the jute leaves, vigorously rubs them to remove any bitter sap, and slow-cooks them with sweet potatoes.
To welcome all our travelers, we prepared a purely vegetarian version for our Sunday breakfast—featuring only fresh jute leaves and sweet potato, with no fish added. The natural sweetness of the potato perfectly balances the herbal bitterness of the jute.
It’s more than just a dish; it’s a zero-waste, low-carbon treat (sourced less than a 5-minute walk away) and a warm embrace of Taichung’s heritage.
We invite you to wake up on a June Sunday morning, sit in the natural light of our lobby, and enjoy a bowl of Taichung’s most beloved summer tradition.
(Plant-base Breakfast Buffet：7:30 am~10:00am)
Loosha Secret Picks: Local Ma-Yi Soup Map
If you happen to miss Loosha’s Sunday breakfast, or want to explore different local variations of Ma-Yi soup during weekdays, here are three highly recommended local spots easily accessible by foot or Youbike:
- Auntie’s Food Stall (炒麵 便當 切仔麵 麻薏) A cozy local spot radiating everyday warmth. Aside from their refreshing summer Ma-Yi soup, their traditional bentos and noodle soup(切仔麵) are absolutely delicious and perfect for a hearty breakfast and lunch.
- Shan He Lu Rou Fan (山河魯肉飯 — Second Market) An absolute must-visit in the historic Second Market! Pairing a bowl of their signature savory, melt-in-your-mouth red-stewed pork belly rice (爌肉飯) with a bowl of refreshing Ma-Yi soup is the ultimate, satisfying summer meal beloved by generations of Taichung locals.
- Liao’s Noodle Stall (第五市場 廖家麵攤 — Fifth Market) If you plan to stroll around the nearby Taichung Literature Museum or Museum of comics, make sure to visit Liao’s Noodle Stall at the Fifth Market. Their traditional noodles paired with a hot bowl of Ma-Yi soup will complete your historic district walk with the most authentic local flavors.
