Even when a cold wave hits, I still crave this！Giant bowl of taro ice

Photos and text byviviyu

MojoMojo Enchanted Ice Treats & Cold Drinks
Address: No. 29, Zhongyang Street, Taoyuan City, Taoyuan County (near Qingxi Junior High School)
Phone: 03-333-3140

I saw someone share this shop in a group chat. The photo showed this huge bowl of taro ice piled high with toppings, so I decided to bring the whole family out for some ice cream on a weekend. This is a beverage specialty shop tucked away in an alley, offering ice treats, drinks, puddings, and cakes. Even though the weather has turned quite cool, I still really wanted some ice. Actually, Zhongyang Street was part of my childhood stomping grounds—my old home used to be on Taoyuan Second Street. Back then, it was a standalone house with a yard where we had starfruit trees, which were the fruit tree I looked forward to blooming the most as a child. Who would’ve thought that after all these years, it’s now become a popular ice and beverage shop? The memories come flooding back, yet everything has changed so much.

The exterior is quite understated—you could easily walk right past it without noticing. Parking nearby isn’t great, so it’s best to come by scooter. You might have better luck finding a spot on Chenggong Road. If I hadn’t known in advance that this was an ice cream and dessert shop, I probably wouldn’t have stepped inside even if I walked by a hundred times.

The shop name is well-chosen—it’s catchy and easy to remember. It’s like some kind of enchantment; once you try it, you’re hooked. That’s just my own little theory.

The items on sale are displayed on the wall, kind of like how ancient emperors would choose their concubines. Once something sells out, they take the sign down—pretty eco-friendly, since the daily fruit supply can vary slightly.

We came around lunchtime, and to our surprise, there were no seats left. You have to wait outside for a “waiting list” before you can dine in. Isn’t it winter already? Why are there still so many people eating ice?!

The glass display fridge holds prepped fruit for juices and the desserts available that day—the offerings may change slightly from day to day.

As for the interior decor, calling it an ice shop feels off—it actually reminds me more of a Japanese restaurant. The Japanese-style design is clean and comfortable.

For drinks, I went with VINCENT’s favorite: “Banana Milk.” The cup looks just like those from a regular bubble tea shop. I think it’d feel a bit more upscale if it came in a glass. The banana really elevates the milk flavor—you can taste plenty of banana, and it’s rich, aromatic, not just your average taste but smoother and more indulgent.

The taro milk ice is served on a wooden tray. And here comes today’s star: the “taro ice.” The moment it arrived, everyone’s eyes were drawn to the big pudding in the center. There’s so much mashed taro, it looks like it’s about to overflow any second. I scooped up a spoonful and instantly got a whiff of that earthy taro aroma—my mouth watered, and I couldn’t wait to dig in.

The brown sugar syrup isn’t overly sweet, and it actually enhances the taro fragrance. Every time I scoop some, I worry the taro on top will plop onto the table—but because the portion is so generous, by the time you get to the middle, it starts to feel a bit empty.

A large bowl of taro ice is just right for two people to share. The serving size is huge, and the ingredients are abundant—when it comes to ice, you just gotta go all out. Who cares what the weather’s like? I’m here for the ice. Originally, I wanted to order both taro milk ice and red bean milk ice, but the shop ran out of some ingredients, so unfortunately I only got to try one. Still, the flavor was good—but at this price, you can’t have it too often. Just once in a while is perfect…

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