A taste full of memories—handmade old-fashioned "taro and peanut ice"

Text & Photos /Old K

Yang Ji Peanut and Corn Ice has been around in Ximending for quite some time. I used to come here a few times as a student, but the memory is so distant that I’ve almost forgotten what it tasted like. That day, I happened to be dining nearby, so I dropped by for a little nostalgia.

I took a look at the menu—the prices were a bit higher than those of regular ice shops, but I remembered they’ve always been a bit pricier than traditional ice shops, so it didn’t feel as expensive as I’d expected. There’s a popularity ranking on the left—if you’re not sure what to get, you can check that out. Their signature dish is peanut and corn ice, but Old K doesn’t like yellow corn XD, so I went for a bowl of peanut and taro ice instead.

The ice here is made up of small cubes. I remember it used to be large cubes before; maybe small cubes are more hygienic? In recent years, I’ve noticed many ice shops have switched to using small ice cubes.

It was a weekday noon when Old K came by, so there weren’t many people.

There are also some photos on the wall you can check out.

Plus, quite a few newspapers, magazines, and TV shows have featured this place.

Taro and Peanut Ice (NT$80)
The way the toppings are cooked here is a bit different from other places. The peanuts and taro both have a thick, almost starch-thickened texture.

Let’s try the taro first. Actually, Old K didn’t use to eat taro XD—I don’t even know when I started liking it. So in the past, I would only order the peanut ice when I came to Yang Ji. The taro here is incredibly soft, fluffy, and has a silky smooth texture. The taro flavor is rich, and the sweetness is just right. Old K really likes their taro.

Peanuts are their signature, of course—it’s like drinking super rich peanut soup. But compared to the taro, the peanuts are noticeably sweeter. Old K prefers the taro’s level of sweetness.

The syrup is poured beneath the ice, but it’s not very noticeable—probably because the toppings overpower the flavor. You can also mix the taro with the peanuts and ice together. The different textures and levels of sweetness create a pretty rich and diverse flavor.

Old K’s little tip: Most people might think this price is a bit steep, but Old K feels it’s a nostalgic, old-school flavor with a unique character. He really loves the taro flavor. Might go for a bowl of taro ice next time. Friends who love taro should give it a try.

Old K’s personal rating (out of 10, higher is better)
Taste: 8
Value for money: 6
Dining environment: 5
Price: 5.5

Yang Ji Peanut and Corn Ice
Address: No. 38 & 40, Section 2, Hankou Street, Taipei City
Phone: (02) 2357-2223
Business hours: Around 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM

Old K
Keep eating them down, Old K style !

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