What to know

  • The Courier’s Rasher is a key ingredient for the Great Taste of Pharloom quest, rewarding Pale Oil for Needle upgrades.
  • You pick it up in Bellhart after freeing the courier siblings, then deliver to Loyal Mergwin in Choral Chambers without fast travel.
  • The rasher decays over time, worsened by hits, wall slams, or big falls—aim for a clean, hitless run.
  • The southern route through Greymoor and Sinner’s Road is fastest; gear like Flea Brew and Silkspeed Anklets boosts success.

Exploring the sprawling world of Hollow Knight: Silksong, you’ll stumble upon side quests that push your platforming prowess to new heights. Among them, the Courier’s Rasher stands out as a pulse-pounding delivery challenge, much like the Delicate Flower from the original game. You’re tasked with carrying a perishable slab of meat across Pharloom’s treacherous landscapes, racing against its decay. It’s a test of skill that rewards you with crucial upgrades and a sense of triumph. Let’s dive into everything you need to ace this quest, from unlocking it to choosing the best route, based on the latest insights from players as of September 2025.

Starting the courier’s rasher quest

Your journey begins in Bellhart, Pharloom’s lively central hub. To unlock the Courier’s Rasher, you first need to complete two prerequisite wishes from the Bellhart bounty board: “My Missing Courier” and “My Missing Brother.” These tasks send you to rescue the courier siblings, Tipp and Pill, who are lost in nearby areas. Expect light combat and exploration—think bug brawls and a few tricky jumps.

Once you’ve freed both siblings, they’ll regroup at a specific spot in Bellhart: a cozy ledge just above and to the left of the bounty board, reachable with a quick wall latch. Talk to them there, and they’ll offer you the Courier’s Rasher job, tying into the Great Taste of Pharloom quest led by Loyal Mergwin, a chef in the Citadel’s Choral Chambers. The rasher is one of five ingredients for his dish, which grants Pale Oil—essential for upgrading Hornet’s Needle at the Needlesmith in Bellhart.

A tip for you: tackle the rasher last among the ingredients. Others, like Mossberry Stew (from a Moss Grotto druid), Vintage Nectar (bought in Greymoor’s Halfway Home after a cellar fight), Crustnut (in Sands of Karak, needing Clawline), and Pickled Muckmaggot (from an optional Sinner’s Road boss, requiring double jump), are less stressful to collect early. This lets you build your movement kit, making the rasher run smoother.

Abilities and gear you’ll need

The rasher’s decay mechanic makes this quest unforgiving—taking mask damage, crashing into walls, or falling too far speeds up spoilage. If freshness hits zero, the meat’s ruined, and you’ll need to restart by talking to Tipp and Pill again. Death also resets the run, so a near-hitless approach is key, though recent patches allow slight leeway for one hit if you’re fast.

Here’s what you need to succeed, along with how to get each ability or item:

Item/AbilityDescriptionHow to Obtain
Double JumpAllows extra airtime for shortcuts and safer fallsFound in Blasted Sands’ hidden chamber after wall climbs and enemy waves
ClawlineLets you latch onto walls for precise navigationEarned in Sands of Karak after defeating a mid-boss
Faydown CloakImproves descent control to avoid decay-causing dropsUnlocked via a Greymoor side quest involving a lost flea
Flea BrewTemporarily boosts run speedGained from “The Lost Fleas” quest in Far Fields
Silkspeed AnkletsPermanent sprint speed increasePurchased or found in Weavenest, Far Fields’ far right
Silk Cuffs (optional)Boosts stamina for sustained dashesBought from a Shellwood trader

Before starting, clear enemies along your chosen route without resting at benches—they stay dead for your attempt, cutting distractions. The Citadel’s path is enemy-heavy, so prioritize it during practice.

Locating Tipp and Pill in Bellhart

Bellhart, nestled in Pharloom’s central-low map, unlocks after defeating the Widow boss early on. Once the city’s Wishwell is active, the bounty board opens up the courier sibling quests. After completing “My Missing Courier” and “My Missing Brother,” find Tipp and Pill on a ledge above and left of the bounty board. It’s a short climb using your basic wall latch—just look for their glowing lantern and chatty banter. Accepting the rasher from them starts the timer, so be ready to move.

Take Courier's Rasher Delivery orders from Tipp and Pill

Choosing the best delivery route

You can’t use the Bellway for fast travel during this quest, so picking the right path from Bellhart to the Citadel’s Choral Chambers is critical. Two main routes exist: the northern path through Shellwood and Blasted Steps (longer, with tough climbs and enemies) and the southern path via Greymoor and Sinner’s Road (shorter, flatter, and beginner-friendly). The southern route is the community favorite, cutting travel time by 20-30% with double jump shortcuts.

Here’s the optimal southern route, step by step, assuming you have the listed abilities:

  • Exit Bellhart south: Dash through open streets to Greymoor. Pop Flea Brew early for speed but stay grounded to avoid falls.
  • Navigate Greymoor to Halfway Home: Double-jump over mossy gaps, keeping momentum. Clear enemies in advance to avoid surprises.
  • Enter Sinner’s Road: Use Clawline for tight turns in narrow corridors. Jump gently to avoid wall bumps, which tick decay.
  • Ascend to the Citadel: Double jump shines in vertical sections—time your climbs to dodge patrols. The Faydown Cloak helps with controlled descents.
  • Take the Blasted Sands shortcut: If unlocked, veer left for a flat, low-enemy sprint. Watch for sand pits that slow you down.
  • Pass the Grand Gate: Dodge projectiles in this quick gauntlet—no full boss, just evasion.
  • Reach Choral Chambers: Navigate the Citadel’s upper levels, avoiding choral echoes (sound hazards). Drop carefully into Mergwin’s dining room—don’t slide into the door frame, as it dings freshness.
Hand over the Courier's Rash to Loyal Mergwin to Complete Great Taste of Pharloom Quest

Expect 2-3 minutes with optimal gear; first tries may take 4-5. Community speedrunners favor this path for its balance, as seen in recent hitless run videos.

Route Southern (Greymoor/Sinner’s Road) Northern (Shellwood/Blasted Steps)
Length Shorter, fewer segments Longer, more detours
Hazards Low enemies, flatter terrain High verticality, dense enemies
Time 2-3 minutes 3-4 minutes
Best For Speed runners, newer players Players with cleared enemies
Key Shortcut Double jump in Sinner’s Road Clawline in Blasted Steps

Keeping the rasher fresh

To nail this delivery, focus on avoiding decay triggers. Here are player-honed tips:

  • Practice the route: Run it without the rasher to learn jumps. Use benches for prep but don’t sit, or enemies respawn.
  • Stay hitless: One mask hit speeds decay by 20-30%. Dodge over fighting.
  • Mind walls and falls: Sprinting into walls or dropping far counts as damage. Jump obstacles and glide down.
  • Stack speed gear: Pair Flea Brew with Silkspeed Anklets for bursts, but ease off if control feels shaky.
  • Time the quest: Save it for after other ingredients to maximize mobility. It’s key for Needle upgrades.
  • Avoid pitfalls: Don’t attack the delivery pedestal—it knocks you back, ticking decay. Skip northern mist areas, as they obscure jumps.

A September 2025 patch added 5 seconds to the freshness timer, easing the challenge slightly, especially for console players, but precision still rules.

Courier's Rasher is a Side Quest in Great Taste of Pharloom Quest

Why the rasher matters?

Completing the Courier’s Rasher isn’t just about checking off a quest—it supercharges your game. The Pale Oil from Great Taste of Pharloom powers up Hornet’s Needle, boosting damage by up to 50% and unlocking combos for bosses like Moorwing or Savage Beastfly. For you, it’s a masterclass in Pharloom’s map, revealing shortcuts that ease main story navigation. The decay mechanic, a fresh twist by Team Cherry, adds high-stakes tension, emphasizing Silksong’s focus on skillful movement and combo-driven combat. Speedrunners love it, with hitless runs becoming a competitive staple.

Is the rasher run for you?

The Courier’s Rasher is a heart-pounding challenge that rewards your patience and platforming finesse. If you love Silksong’s fluid exploration, this quest amplifies the thrill, turning a delivery into a skill showcase. Try it once you’ve got the right abilities—early attempts might sting, but the Needle upgrades and map mastery are worth it. If it feels daunting, grind easier wishes for gear or study route videos. You’re ready to conquer Pharloom’s toughest haul.