On a recent episode of the Hong Kong variety show Try Real D, five television personalities sampled an NT$8,000 (about US$250) bowl of medicinal herbal soup in Taipei that left them reeling with bizarre physical reactions. The soup, brewed from sweet rice wine and four wild herbs, triggered uncontrollable laughter, dizziness, and muscle twitches among the hosts, making it the most talked-about segment of the series.
The show’s “real taste” challenge in the Taiwanese capital began with a visit to a vegan restaurant to cleanse the palate, followed by a test of creative noodle soup variations. The five hosts—Jiang Meiyi, Zhu Minhan (known as Zhu Zai), Wu Yekun, Zeng Zhanwang (nicknamed GM), and Zhang Zhenlang—each drew a sealed ball to decide their broth flavor. Options included lemon jelly, papaya milk, and bubble tea.
When Zhu Minhan pulled the papaya milk ball, Jiang Meiyi cracked a joke linking it to his muscular build, asking, “Did you purposely drop that in?” The playful mood quickly soured when the dishes arrived. Bowls of “bubble tea noodle soup” and “pearl moon dumplings” drew looks of disgust from most of the group. Only Zeng Zhanwang remained composed, declaring, “No problem, I’ll eat it,” daring the others to go first.
A Bowl That Fights Back
The producers saved the most anticipated—and expensive—item for last. The NT$8,000 soup was said to contain four wild medicinal herbs with alcohol as a base, and claimed to produce physical signals that vary by person, such as bloating, nausea, or numbness, as indicators of hidden health issues.
The effects were immediate. Zhu Minhan appeared dazed after just a few sips: his eyes bulged, his tongue stuck out, and he began shivering, rolling his eyes back until he wore a vacant expression. Zeng Zhanwang went into his own performance, acting like a human breathalyzer and declaring he could detect an alcohol content of over 30 percent. He then started swaying and dancing, laughing loudly.
Zhang Zhenlang and Jiang Meiyi also reacted strongly. “It’s pure alcohol,” Jiang said. “One bowl is enough to get drunk,” Zhang added.
Entertainment Meets Folk Medicine
While the soup’s medicinal claims remain unverified, the episode delivered pure entertainment, blending food tourism with slapstick comedy. The hosts’ chemistry and willingness to endure such challenges have drawn praise from fans, who are already anticipating the team’s next outing.
As Try Real D continues its run, these outrageous eating challenges remain a staple, turning simple taste tests into unforgettable television.
