The word milk can set the wrong expectation
Doujiang is soy milk; xian means salty or savory. In the savory version, the bowl may contain pieces of fried dough, preserved vegetables, scallion and dried shrimp. Shanghai's government catering-service recipe also lists rice vinegar and soy sauce. The particular combination depends on the shop.
That makes it quite different from adding a pinch of salt to a carton of sweetened soy milk. There are solids to eat and seasoning distributed through the liquid. Use a spoon and take a mouthful that includes the toppings. Drinking only from the edge can leave the most substantial part at the bottom.
The bowl does not need to resemble a dairy product to succeed. Think about whether the soy base, salt, acidity and toppings form a coherent savory dish. Judging it against a café latte is an easy way to order something interesting and then complain that it is the wrong thing.
Texture is part of the order
The appearance can vary, including soft, curd-like flecks rather than a perfectly uniform liquid. Do not assume every bowl will look like the same photograph. The seasonings, temperature and preparation affect what arrives. If a particular texture matters to you, ask to see the bowl the shop actually serves.
The fried dough changes as it sits. Some pieces soften and absorb liquid; others may retain more resistance at first. Taste early, then again later. That change is part of eating a mixed breakfast bowl, and a reason not to spend the first ten minutes arranging the surface for a photograph.
I prefer a bowl where the toppings remain distinguishable. A spoonful can then move between the soy base, a little pickle and a piece of dough rather than deliver one uniform salty mixture. This is a preference, not a rule by which to disqualify a different local style.
How to ask for the version you want
Keep 咸豆浆 visible on your phone. For comparison, sweet soy milk is tian doujiang (甜豆浆), and plain unsweetened soy milk may be described as yuanwei or wutang, depending on the menu. Point to the listed option rather than assuming every shop offers all versions under the same wording.
Ask about chili separately. A savory bowl need not be a request for every condiment the counter supplies. If you want to compare the base before adding heat, indicate that the chili should be separate or omitted if possible. A prepared mixture may limit what the server can change.
The same applies to dried shrimp. This is an important ingredient question, not a decorative preference when someone avoids seafood. A plain-looking soy base does not establish that the finished savory dish is vegetarian. The kitchen needs to explain its toppings and preparation; the name cannot do that work for you.
Give it the right solid companion
One savory bowl and one solid breakfast item is a sensible starting order. A flatbread can provide something to tear and alternate with the spoonfuls. A rice roll makes a more filling combination. Choose according to what else you plan to eat that morning.
Do not automatically add a large separate order of fried dough without checking how much is already in the bowl or inside the rice roll. Repetition is not forbidden, but it can make breakfast heavier and less varied than intended. If the purpose is comparison, a small additional portion shared between two people may be more useful.
A savory soy milk breakfast is worth sitting down for if seats are available. Holding a phone, spoon and bag of bread while blocking the counter is not an essential local experience. The convenience of the food does not oblige visitors to eat every component while walking.
What to notice after the first spoonful
Notice whether the seasoning becomes tiring halfway through. A small bowl can begin as pleasantly assertive and end as mostly salt. Notice whether the fried dough contributes texture or simply fills space. Notice whether you actually enjoy the soy flavor once the novelty has passed. These are more useful observations than calling the dish strange.
If you prefer the plain version, order it next time. That is a legitimate conclusion, not a failed attempt at local eating. You can still learn from the savory bowl: it demonstrates how the same base becomes a drink in one order and a dish in another.
For a guided breakfast, say whether you drink sweetened soy milk at home and whether seafood or preserved vegetables are acceptable. Those details help choose a first bowl. The aim is a breakfast you can understand and enjoy, with enough specificity to order again on your own.