The wheel cake actually has tapioca pearls inside！The bliss of bursting cream and pearls bursting forth.

Text & Photos／By DaKou

One day, DaKou and KouMei came to Hsinchu to visit their college friends. After a satisfying lunch, with nothing much to do, they went out for a stroll and unexpectedly came across a video rental shop with a rather long queue. This puzzled DaKou, but upon closer inspection, they realized it was the “Just Bursting Red Bean Cake” right in front of the shop’s arcade area that had everyone lining up. Their friend said this red bean cake was their top choice for afternoon tea and that they would sometimes even make a special trip downstairs just to buy it. Seeing such a long line and the food production traceability sign next to the stall, DaKou felt they simply had to join the queue. Especially since they were also selling a limited-edition pearl cream, which quietly prompted DaKou to start queuing up. Next, let’s take you to see just how amazing the “Just Bursting Red Bean Cake” really is.

[Food Info]
Just Bursting Red Bean Cake
Address: No. 481, Section 1, Guangfu Road, Hsinchu City (in the arcade of Video King)
Business Hours: Starts at 1 PM, until sold out (closed on Thursdays during winter)
Price: NT$15

It’s located on the first floor of a building on Guangfu Road in Hsinchu City. Once you get close, you’ll find a very recognizable stall right next to the video rental shop. In the bustling city center, seeing a long line naturally piques your curiosity, and you’ll soon find yourself drawn in. This little stall exudes a uniquely nostalgic vibe that many people find endearing.　

The recipe itself isn’t overly complicated, using simple ingredients, but it’s not something you can easily replicate at home. In this fast-paced era, the taste of handmade treats brings a sense of warmth and comfort that many find particularly appealing.

The staff here are super friendly. Whether you’re ordering or just curious, they greet you with smiles, creating a very pleasant atmosphere.

The small cakes are neatly arranged, each one looking plump and inviting. Among them, the pearl ones are especially popular. The other two flavors are also quite classic. The preparation process is done right in front of you, so you can see every step.

The fresh ingredients are placed neatly beside the cakes. If you’re unsure what to choose, you can also ask the staff for recommendations—they’ll usually suggest the most popular options.

The entire process of making the red bean cakes is an enjoyable experience to watch. You can see how each cake is carefully made, ensuring quality in every bite.

There are no fancy fillings here—the main ingredients are red bean paste, peanut butter, and taro. Each has its own unique flavor. The cream is also a bestseller here, all priced uniformly at NT$15.

There are also some cute cat decorations nearby that catch the eye. Though it’s a small stall, the owner has put in some effort to spruce it up a bit.

We ended up ordering two flavors—the cream and the pearl cream—since we’d just eaten and wanted to sample a couple of things.

The red bean cakes are very soft and fluffy. Each one we tried looked perfectly round and appealing.

The taro filling isn’t too sweet, nor does it leave a heavy aftertaste. Their pearls are pre-cooked in brown sugar, giving them a particularly fragrant and sweet taste.

The red bean filling has a rich flavor, and when paired with the cream, it creates a lovely balance. The cream is aromatic and smooth, with a hint of sweetness—it feels almost like drinking a pearl milk tea. The combination works surprisingly well together.

Both the cream and the red bean filling are made with high-quality ingredients. The texture is soft yet rich, leaving a delightful aftertaste.

When eating the cream and red bean cake, besides enjoying the crispy crust, you also get to savor the delicate, smooth, and creamy filling that’s full of milky goodness. It’s not at all greasy and leaves you feeling completely satisfied.

“Just Bursting Red Bean Cake” only starts selling at 1 PM every day, but it quickly attracts a crowd of foodies. Their cream-filled red bean cake is smooth, sweet, and rich with aromatic cream. It’s lightly sweetened and not greasy, making it a must-try afternoon tea item for cream lovers. The limited-edition pearl cream is simply divine—Q-tastic pearls with a hint of brown sugar aroma paired with a smooth, creamy filling. One bite gives you the crispiness of the crust and the sweet filling, truly satisfying. Whenever DaKou passes by, they’d definitely want to have one. You could say the people of Hsinchu are pretty lucky.
 

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