Taipei’s Old-House Teahouse Hides “Truffle Milk Tea,” the LV of Bubble Tea

Text & Photos /Pingzi

In recent years, the revitalization of old buildings has drawn attention. Like Pingzi, travelers who appreciate heritage architecture must explore Wanhua in Taipei. Conveniently located near Taipei Metro Longshan Temple Station and Ximending Station, I highly recommend this local favorite, iHERE tea & cafe. It’s known for its cult-favorite truffle milk tea—dubbed the LV of bubble tea—as well as Britain’s centuries-old royal TWININGS tea and USDA-certified organic Rainforest coffee from the United States. These unique local beverages in Wanhua and around Longshan Temple have even earned praise from popular food show hosts.

iHERE tea & cafe is tucked away on Guiyang Street, just a short walk—mere minutes—from Taipei Metro Ximending Station and Longshan Temple Station. If taking the metro, exit at Longshan Temple Station’s Exit 3, walk north along Kangding Road until you reach Guiyang Street, then turn right.

Next door is the renowned Sanwei Shokudo, while across the street is “Dongxiantang,” famed for its winter melon tea. iHERE tea & cafe stands out as a beverage shop well worth visiting.

Its small black signboard, with its retro yellow logo, hints at the fusion of Eastern and Western influences that define this local drink brand.

The entrance of iHERE tea & cafe is adorned with hanging banners featuring recommendations from major media outlets such as Apple Daily and Formosa TV News. Even before stepping inside, these endorsements build anticipation for what’s in store.

Even the hosts of the popular travel show “Food Safari” have recommended iHERE tea & cafe, listing it as a must-visit hidden snack spot in Taipei.

Before even entering iHERE tea & cafe, you’ll notice a small blackboard at the entrance showcasing the shop’s top-selling items and drink recommendations. One item immediately catches the eye: “truffle milk tea”—a drink that feels like the LV of bubble tea, exclusive to Taiwan, and naturally sparking Pingzi’s curiosity.

There’s also a sticker promoting delivery via foodpanda, and Pingzi has even tried ordering through the app herself.

iHERE tea & cafe is housed within a two-story traditional Taiwanese old house, preserving the building’s original structure. The brand design features bold black and yellow tones, giving it a distinctive charm. The blend of old and new elements creates a unique vibe that highlights both tea culture and the character of the historic building.

Once inside, you’ll find that although the space is compact, it’s surprisingly well-equipped. The old-house layout blends various design elements, with thoughtful touches and a sense of sharing evident throughout.

Fans of Pingzi’s writing know she’s a dessert enthusiast and an avid afternoon tea lover. At many such cafes, she often enjoys centuries-old British royal TWININGS tea. Here, the shelves are lined with Earl Grey tea tins from floor to ceiling—an impressive sight. It’s clear iHERE tea & cafe uses quality ingredients to brew great tea, adhering to traditional English tea-brewing techniques. They measure tea leaves precisely, pay close attention to water temperature, and focus on every brewing detail. No wonder the aroma of tea wafts through the air.

British-style teas abound, filling the space with a rich British charm.

iHERE tea & cafe offers takeout service, with bottled drinks available in three sizes: large, medium, and small.

Pingzi decided to dine in and headed upstairs. There, the traditional old-house structure remains intact, including its classic pull-down windows—a charming feature that adds to the experience. As someone who loves old buildings, Pingzi has spent years researching and visiting restored heritage eateries. iHERE tea & cafe is recognized as one of Wanhua’s notable old-house architectural gems, a testament to its popularity.

The black-and-yellow retro color scheme gives the place a hip, literary vibe. The shop has a one-drink minimum and offers free Wi-Fi.

Flipping through the menu reveals a wide selection. The brand’s signature yellow color scheme dominates, highlighting offerings that include organic coffee, British TWININGS tea, and stove-brewed milk tea. The cafe serves both dine-in and takeout customers, and also offers delivery.

The menu also includes grilled toast, cookies, and other light snacks that pair perfectly with drinks.

Handmade cookies (two pieces per serving) cost NT$25 each. A mixed selection (four pieces, one of each flavor) is NT$49, or NT$39 when paired with a drink.

On one table, there’s a display of real truffles—ingredients used in the drinks. As someone who loves high-end truffles, Pingzi was surprised to see them incorporated into bubble tea and couldn’t resist trying it.

Truffle Milk Tea – NT$129Available hot or iced. Pingzi ordered one of each. The hot version is brewed in a ceramic cup. All milk teas are made fresh, which requires a short wait. Once served, the aroma of truffle blends with the creamy scent of milk tea.

The first sip of the hot truffle milk tea tastes like a classic milk tea, but soon your palate picks up the unique fragrance of truffle melting in your mouth—an intriguing sensation.

The fresh milk comes from I-Mei, delivering a rich creaminess. This is genuine milk tea with freshly shaved truffle—you can clearly see the generous chunks of truffle inside. If you’re a fan of milk tea, as Pingzi learned from the staff, iHERE tea & cafe also offers another bestseller: stove-brewed milk tea. This one is made by pouring brewed tea directly into milk, resulting in a flavor distinct from regular milk tea—unique and memorable. It’s definitely worth a try.

Truffle Coffee Au Lait – NT$129The iced version comes in a whole glass bottle—an unusual departure from typical plastic cups and a standout feature. The iced truffle coffee au lait combines coffee with milk tea, offering not only the aroma of truffle milk tea but also a stronger, more pronounced flavor than the hot version. It also has a distinct coffee note, making it perfect for summer. Truffle and milk tea truly are a creative and delicious pairing.

Earl Grey Fruit Iced Tea – NT$85With its gradient appearance, this tea is perfect for hot summer days. The distinct layers feature Earl Grey tea on top, orange juice in the middle, and cane sugar at the bottom. The Earl Grey tea is brewed with fruit to create a fragrant, sweet-and-sour taste enhanced by natural fruit aroma — delicious!

Matcha Milk SlushA summer seasonal special, available in 500cc for NT$49. A must-try for matcha lovers.

A refreshing slush is perfect for cooling down in the summer heat. This matcha slush offers a rich matcha aroma, a cool and icy texture, and a smooth, velvety flavor — truly enjoyable.

Winter Melon Fresh Lemon – NT$45Made with the shop’s special fruit syrup, fresh lemon, and winter melon tea, it delivers a sweet-and-sour flavor. The winter melon aroma pairs wonderfully with the citrusy brightness of the lemon.

Crispy Sugar Toast (Chocolate Flavor)Priced at NT$49, it’s perfect as an afternoon snack. Made fresh to order, the toast is baked until super crispy and pre-cut into bite-sized pieces. Just peel them apart and enjoy the rich chocolate sauce paired with the crunchy toast — a delightful sweet-and-crispy treat.

Pingzi suggests planning a one-day tour in Wanhua: start your morning with a stroll through Bopiliao, have lunch at Sanwei Shokudo for Japanese cuisine, then head to iHERE Tea & Cafe, a charming local teahouse in a revitalized historic building, for a relaxing drink. What a cozy and fulfilling itinerary. Enjoy an afternoon drink with your friends, stay cool and have fun. Start planning this little trip to Wanhua and Longshan Temple now!

iHERE Tea & Cafe — a local teahouse
Official Website  Facebook Fan Page
Phone: 02-2311-5960
Business Hours: Tuesday to Saturday 11:00 – 21:00. Closed on Sundays and Mondays.
Address: No. 112, Section 2, Guiyang Street, Wanhua District, Taipei City

upssmile Pingzi (up’s smile — upward smile)
She is a designer and also a photographer for Up’s Smile Travel, Food, Design & Film.
Passionate about “travel,” “food,” “design,” and “photography/film.”