When it comes to summer cooling desserts, tofu pudding and shaved ice are the most popular, while frozen taro is less commonly seen. In fact, there are quite a few specialty stores for it in the central and southern cities. Although frozen taro is simply chilled taro, its preparation is somewhat labor-intensive. Generally, betel taro is used because it has a high starch content, fine texture, unique flavor, and is rich in nutrients, including crude protein, starch, various vitamins, and inorganic salts. In terms of preparation, high-quality taro is thoroughly cooked and then sealed in airtight containers to ensure the fresh taro flavor is preserved. A serving of frozen taro is just two small pieces of taro in a bowl of sugar water, but the taro is truly soft, fragrant, and sweet without being mushy. Two pieces are just enough without making you feel overly full. The chilled sugar water also has a strong taro aroma and is not at all greasy. The taro has a soft, smooth, and sweet texture, making it an excellent summer cooling dessert.
Douliu Ice City
Douliu Ice City, despite its name, is actually an ice cream shop with a decor that exudes a sense of time. It specializes in handmade traditional ice cream. Although the shop may not look impressive, it is one of the locals' favorite ice cream shops! The signature ice cream black tea combines sweet ice cream with rich black tea. There are also sundaes, ice cream cakes, popsicles, and other options, offering a wide variety of flavors. The handmade process makes it more natural and aromatic! Especially recommended is the ice cream sandwich, which uses ice cream between biscuits. It looks great and tastes even better.
Hai Zhi Bing is the founding store of large bowl shaved ice, located next to the Kaohsiung Ferry Pier in Gushan District. The store offers shaved ice, snow ice, and tofu pudding, with shaved ice being the most classic. Established in 1995, the site was formerly an ice factory adjacent to the Kaohsiung Fish Market. At its peak, over a hundred boats docked daily for unloading, resupply, and rest. During the hot summer, dock workers wanted to eat ice but also save money, so they made their own ice and bought ingredients from street vendors, mixing them with syrup in large bowls. Hai Zhi Bing's large bowl shaved ice was founded on this tradition, promoting a sharing concept. Unlike other ice shops where each person gets their own bowl, the store offers 2, 4, 6, 10, and 30 times large bowl shaved ice, as well as challenge cups (1000cc) and world cups (5000cc) cold drinks. This amazes first-time visitors to Kaohsiung and makes sharing food with friends feel especially joyful.
Grandma's self-developed mixed tea combines 'Kumquat Lemon Plum Tea + Winter Melon Tea + Marble Soda' into a cup of sweet and sour intertwined mixed tea. Each cup contains a plum, giving the first sip a soda-like sensation, but also a hint of the sweet and clear taste of plum tea, offering a very layered texture. Unfortunately, Grandma is no longer around, and it is likely that her relatives are now helping out.
A Hui Ai Yu Grass Jelly
Ai Yu Ice and Grass Jelly Ice are considered the most common and traditional summer cooling desserts on the streets of Taiwan. Ai Yu is actually made by placing Ai Yu seeds in a cloth bag, rubbing them in water, and then letting them sit to form a jelly-like Ai Yu gel, which is completely natural and healthy. A Hui's Ai Yu is freshly made by the owner every morning, using high-quality Ai Yu seeds selected from Taoyuan, Kaohsiung, and pure mountain spring water. With years of experience and skill, the owner creates crystal-clear and slightly chewy Ai Yu. Don't underestimate this small stall; the owner, A Hui, has been selling Ai Yu Grass Jelly here for over 20 years. According to the owner, the price hasn't increased in over 20 years, just to ensure everyone can enjoy delicious Ai Yu and Grass Jelly.
Chucai Fengshan Tofu Pudding
Tofu pudding is a dessert that looks simple but is not easy to make outstanding. To make good tofu pudding, it needs to be freshly made every morning. The soybeans are soaked for 10 hours, releasing a rich bean aroma. Following traditional methods, a small amount of sweet potato starch is added, making the tofu pudding fragrant, tender, and smooth. I ordered the mixed tofu pudding, which was a large portion. Besides the rich tofu pudding, it also included pearls, mung beans, tapioca balls, and red beans, making it rich in ingredients and diverse in texture. It was cool and moderately sweet, without any cloying aftertaste, leaving a refreshing and sweet sensation in the mouth. Additionally, the bowls used in the store are quite exquisite, which I really liked.
Lao Jiang can be considered one of the pioneers of Taiwan's 24-hour retail industry. For over 60 years, it has been open 24/7 without closing. Regular customers can satisfy their cravings for that cup of black tea milk at any time. Lao Jiang's black tea milk has a sweet and smooth taste, with rich milk flavor complementing the mellow black tea, making it truly delicious.
Sanxingyuan
Sanxingyuan Matcha is a matcha specialty store with over 500 years of history in Japan. It has opened several branches in southern Taiwan, gradually becoming a popular dessert brand in the region. The store features a strong retro Edo atmosphere, where you can sit on tatami mats and enjoy matcha desserts. Sanxingyuan is definitely a must-visit for matcha enthusiasts.
