Summer is here with a splash of coolness—10 must-visit "old-school shaved ice" spots in Taipei to quench your thirst

Reporter Li Zi-yi / Comprehensive report

As summer approaches and the weather gets hotter, how can you beat the heat? What can you do besides turning on the air conditioner when the heat becomes unbearable? ETtoday Ettoday News Cloud has compiled a list of 10 wildly popular old-school shaved ice shops in Taipei. This summer, let’s have a date with “ice”—whether it’s a mango shaved ice bursting with Taiwanese flavor, the creamy taro shaved ice from your childhood memories, or the sweet and comforting classic black sugar shaved ice.

▲ Yong Fu Ice Cream. (Photo / Reposted fromYong Fu Ice Creamfan page)

In business since 1945, Yong Fu serves up tubs of old-school ice cream that look just like the classic “baba” popsicles from your childhood. With eight flavors including taro, red bean, peanut, longan, egg, plum, passion fruit, and strawberry, you get three scoops in one serving—great value for money.

Yong Fu Ice Cream
Address: No. 68, Section 2, Guiyang Street, Wanhua District, Taipei City (at Kunming Street intersection)
Phone: 02-2314-0306

▲ Feng Li Shaved Ice. (Photo /Provided by Bear Cat Rudy)

Opened in 2012, Feng Li Shaved Ice is tucked away in a prime spot in Da’an District. Though it sits in a small courtyard with just a few tables and chairs, it serves up several classic old-school flavors such as taro and peanut shaved ice—and has quickly built a strong reputation as one of Taipei’s go-to shaved ice spots. Their signature Feng Li Shaved Ice features a purple plum shaved ice base topped with pickled pineapple chunks and a whole purple plum—creamy, tangy, sweet, and refreshingly appetizing.

Feng Li Shaved Ice
Address: No. 9, Lane 33, Alley 216, Section 4, Zhongxiao East Road, Taipei City
Phone: (02)2711-8862

▲ Bubble Ice. (Photo / Reposted fromYili Bubble Ice Main Store Taiwan Yili PaoPao Icefan page)

The name “bubble ice” comes from the process: ultra-finely shaved ice is placed in a bowl, mixed with toppings using a spoon at high speed, creating lots of bubbles. Yili is known for using locally sourced Taiwanese fruits and agricultural products to preserve the authentic taste of traditional Taiwanese shaved ice. Their must-try signature bubble ice is the peanut and red bean flavor—richly aromatic and a favorite among peanut lovers.

Yili Bubble Ice (Main Store)
Address: No. 284, Zhongzheng Road, Shilin District, Taipei City
Phone: (02)2832-7909

▲ Jian Zhong Black Sugar Shaved Ice. (Photo / Reposted fromJian Zhong Black Sugar Shaved Icefan page)

A long-standing shop near Jian Zhong High School, “Authentic Jian Zhong Black Sugar Shaved Ice” has been around for 70 years. Their claim to fame is the special black sugar syrup they learned to make under a Japanese master. Topped with over 30 different ingredients loved by Taiwanese, all served over shaved ice, this place lets you refill both the syrup and ice for free if you dine in. It’s full of heartwarming nostalgia and carries the shared youth memories of generations of Jian Zhong students.

Authentic Jian Zhong Black Sugar Shaved Ice
Address: No. 35, Quanzhou Street, Zhongzheng District, Taipei City
Phone: (02)2305-4750

▲A super value ice dessert in South Airport Night Market, hailed by foodies as a “dreamy delicacy in the world of frozen treats.” (Photo / by reporter You t
ru)

Located in South Airport Night Market, “Yongkang Street Taro King” serves the most popular ice dessert made with finely shaved ice as the base, paired with four toppings of your choice. The taro paste is cooked until extremely soft and smooth, not at all cloying. It boasts a rich taro aroma, a creamy texture, and isn’t overly sticky—making it the top-rated option.

Yongkang Street Taro King Zhonghua Branch
Address: No. 5, Lane 313, Section 2, Zhonghua Road, Zhongzheng District, Taipei City
Phone: 02-23323434

Read more >>>>>>>South Airport Eats / Foodie Challenges CNN: Not Just Rice Balls – Dreamy Ice Treats Are Also Hiding Here

▲Shui Guibo’s Classic Old-School Ice. (Photo / fromShui Guibo’s Classic Old-SchoolFan Page)

The popular shop “Shui Guibo,” nestled in the alleys of Shipaili, features decor with red bricks, white walls, and wooden tables and chairs that exude a strong retro vibe. The shop offers two types of ice desserts—banana ice and shaved ice—along with over 20 toppings to choose from. In addition to its popular ice treats, the store’s tofu pudding and black sugar roasted sweet potato balls are also highly sought after.

Shui Guibo Classic Old-School
Address: No. 8, Lane 75, Section 2, Shipai Road, Beitou District, Taipei City
Phone: (02)2827-4788

▲Snow King Ice Cream. (Photo / fromSnow King Ice CreamFan Page)

Operating in Ximending for nearly 70 years, Snow King Ice Cream is especially unique for offering 73 different flavors of frozen treats, including fruits, vegetables, spices, meats, teas, and even liquors. Among the savory options, the shredded pork floss flavor has remained enduringly popular, consistently ranking high on the in-store favorites list. The shop’s more than 20 fruit-flavored ice creams are also a hit with foodies. Though pricier compared to other classic ice treats, it still draws many tourists eager to try something new.

Snow King Ice Cream
Address: No. 65, Section 1, Wuchang Street, Taipei City
Phone: (02)2331-8415

▲Longdu Ice? Specialist. (Photo / fromTaipei Tourism Network)

Located near Longshan Temple in Wanhua, Longdu has been around for nearly a century. It gets quite crowded on weekends and is a favorite ice shop among tourists, though weekdays usually mean shorter waits. The must-order signature Eight-Treasure Ice features soft, moderately sweet toppings, while the shaved ice has little graininess, resulting in a very smooth and pleasant texture.

Longdu Ice? Specialist
Address: No. 168, Guangzhou Street, Wanhua District, Taipei City
Phone: (02)2308-3223

With a history of 60 years, Xia Er Zui was once featured in a book by travel writer Shu Guozhi when it was still a street stall. The old shop’s iconic stools, stalls, and fabric curtains have all been moved into the current premises, preserving an old-school Taiwanese vibe. The store offers just four types of toppings for its ice desserts: rice noodles, red adzuki beans, taro balls, and sweetened beans. Though the selection isn’t as extensive as that of most northern Taiwanese shops, there's no need for flashy presentations. Their signature handmade rice noodles deliver a simple, refreshing flavor that leaves a lasting impression—the true taste of Taiwan that food lovers won’t forget.

Xia Er Zui Rice Noodle Expert
Address: No. 34, Gan Zhou Street, Datong District, Taipei City
Phone: 02-2557-0780

Nestled on a street corner, this small stall serves three types of iced desserts in the summer—red bean, green bean, and mixed—and switches to hot soup in the winter. The white taro balls are made using traditional methods: after boiling, they’re chilled in ice water to achieve a chewy, bouncy texture. The mixed shaved ice features soft, tender red and green beans paired with smooth Job’s tears and not-too-sweet syrup—a truly satisfying taste of authentic local flavor that keeps customers coming back for more.

Zhuang Ji Taro Ball Shop
Address: No. 101, Nanjing West Road, Datong District, Taipei City