A Kyoto-style shaved ice loaded with white jade dumplings and red beans—just a coin away from bliss.

Text & Photos /Orange Dog Loves Candy

Though autumn and winter have arrived, the regions on either side of the Tropic of Cancer still refuse to sync their climates. Back in Tainan, the weather remains mildly warm. That afternoon, the streets of Fuchien Road were leisurely quiet, with just a few scattered pedestrians and vehicles. At twenty-seven degrees, the sun was warm enough to bring a light sweat. By chance, I spotted a corner of an old building with a sign that read “Little Steps—Handmade Happy Sweets,” set against a Tiffany-blue green palette. The fashionable vibe blended with a retro touch, and the little fabric flag at the entrance was what finally clued me in—it’s actually a Japanese-style shaved ice shop. I searched my memory, but I don’t recall anyone ever mentioning this place before, which made me curious enough to keep it in mind. Luckily, winter hasn’t fully settled in yet, so my craving for cool treats hasn’t faded. After wrapping up a busy work stint, I made a special trip here to give it a try.

It seemed like I was the only one willing to step into the shop that whole afternoon, but how could I not take a second (or third) glance at those charming retro tones?

The little pig signboard at the entrance looks adorable and cheerful, topped with stickers of mischievous cats. The reason? The owner has cats and occasionally brings them inside to greet customers—but the glass door is always pulled shut to prevent any feline escapes.

The interior decor is currently quite simple. Since no customers came by all afternoon, I ended up chatting with the owner for a bit. She told me her original shop was in Pingtung… She only moved to Tainan this year to start anew. She kept the same name, but since it’s just the beginning, the decor is still minimal. Still, I think it has a certain charm.

There’s a long, tall counter with two or three small wooden tables. The fun part? The glass display case in the back—it’s a little boy’s dream space, filled with one SD Gundam model after another. They’re the owner’s hobbies and collection, and each one is hand-painted with exquisite detailing. There are also plenty of figurines around. I play with those too, after all.

I took a quick look at the menu. They serve ice cream and Japanese-style shaved ice. The ice cream is just 65 NT, and the Kyoto-style shaved ice is only 50 NT—a real bargain. The most expensive item is the Deluxe Kyoto Shaved Ice. I was tempted to try it, but after seeing the portion size the owner brought out, I decided to play it safe and stick with something lighter for now. XD It’s a bit tough selling ice treats in autumn and winter, but the owner mentioned they might add their usual red bean soup and grilled sweet potatoes to the menu next week depending on the weather. That would be nice—something warm to balance out the cold. But for now, I’m still pretty fond of my icy treat.

[Kyoto-Style Shaved Ice / 50 NT]
Kyoto-style shaved ice isn’t exactly a stranger to Taiwanese people—it’s a common dessert on many menus. But theirs is pretty affordable. The matcha syrup, white jade dumplings, and red beans are all prepared and cooked by the owner herself. While 50 NT won’t get you portions as huge as those black sugar shaved ices you see elsewhere, the amount of red beans and white jade is more than generous. The top is piled high with sweet red beans, drizzled with condensed milk. The beans come from Wandan, Pingtung, and even after cooking, they hold their shape well.

I thought they’d be hard, but they turned out soft and lightly sweet—nothing like the overly puffed-up kind you usually get. The matcha syrup underneath has a stronger tea flavor, and when paired with the condensed milk on the crushed ice, the sweetness hits just the right note.

The ice is made with a Japanese-style shaved ice machine, so it has that satisfying crunch. The white jade dumplings are great too—they’re cooked fresh after you order, so they stay Q and tender. The owner said she prefers to cook them to order because pre-made ones tend to harden. No wonder it took a bit longer to make my order than I expected. Even though autumn and winter are here, Tainan hasn’t gotten too cold yet. Treating yourself to a bowl of shaved ice is still a lovely little indulgence.

[Handmade Ice Cream Waffle / Choose Two Flavors / 70 NT]
There are four ice cream flavors to choose from. What surprised me was when the owner said she even makes the ice cream herself. Not because of food safety concerns, but because she’s been doing it since her Pingtung days—it’s just her style. It really fits the “handmade” theme of the shop’s name. After all, most places don’t do this unless they’re specialty ice cream shops.

A large square waffle is stacked with two scoops of ice cream. Surprisingly, the waffle didn’t get too soggy from the melting ice cream—in fact, the crispy outer layer gave way to a slightly chewy interior. It paired perfectly with the ice cream. Today, I went with Kyoto matcha and sweet apple. The sweet apple flavor was surprisingly good—it’s definitely worth a try.

Tainan is such an interesting place—affordable, delicious, and full of little surprises waiting around every corner. The old house trend is still going strong in this city, but Little Steps offers something even warmer: a personal touch and reasonable prices. The owner makes every bite feel genuine, and the relaxing space is perfect for a casual stop-in. Definitely worth trying if you’re passing by!!

◎ Shop Info: [Little Steps Handmade Happy Sweets – Fuchien Road, near Yanding Prince Shrine │ Central & West District]
◎ Address: No. 111, Fuchien Road, Central & West District, Tainan City (diagonally opposite Quail Savory Pie)
◎ Phone: 0977-123435
◎ Business Hours: 2:00 PM – 9:00 PM
◎ Note: Closed on Tuesdays. Small space. Affordable and honest pricing.
 

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