An Italian gelato shop bursting with childlike charm — the playful decor makes kids fall in love at first sight

Photos & Text /Purple Smile

This ice cream shop was discovered by my sister with the curly perm. She kept saying, "That gelato place that Fu Jen University students absolutely love — wanna go check it out?!" I thought it was just your average ice cream joint, but when I heard the keyword "Italian," I immediately said, "Let’s go!!"

(Bambino Gelato is tucked away in an old alley!) Having a navigation app is such a lifesaver — my sister and the others were still searching along the provincial highway!!

Who would’ve thought such a small shop entrance could be decorated so adorably?

With such playful decorations, unknowing passersby might think it’s a kids’ goods store.

Not only does the sign feature a horse, but there’s also a cute rocking horse at the entrance.

Stepping inside, the narrow shop has two balance beams?! Turns out they’re tables — the owner’s creativity is really something.

Little Beibei dashed over to play house, having the time of her life. Boss~~ are you running an ice cream shop that doubles as a family restaurant? Hehe.

After chatting with the boss, I learned that "BAMBINO" means "child" in Italian.

The Bambino logo and the little wooden horse at the entrance were designed with family in mind — since the owner’s wife, mother, and newborn daughter all have the zodiac sign of the horse. The goal was to make eating gelato feel like a return to the simple, joyful moments of childhood, so the entire shop’s decor was designed with childlike fun in mind.

Having come to Yilan for work and fallen in love with the place, he summoned the courage to break free from the endless cycle of daily work and chose to make the gelato he loves, pouring his energy into chasing his dream. What an energetic boss Ah-Zhe!!

Seeing the toy car, Little Beibei refused to budge.

These aren’t decorative fruit bags — they’re fresh fruits, the very ingredients used to make the gelato every day. And yes, the gelato is made fresh by the boss every morning.

Ingredients and their descriptions are displayed nearby.

Even Jean’s favorite vanilla flavor is made with care.

Boss Ah-Zhe explained that while vanilla gelato is the most basic flavor, it’s surprisingly not simple to make!!! He uses imported premium Bourbon variety natural vanilla beans (from Madagascar and Indonesia), which are steeped for months before being left to infuse in milk overnight. The vanilla seeds are then scraped out, simmered, and finally churned into a rich, creamy vanilla gelato. It’s absolutely nothing like gelato made with artificial vanilla powder or low-quality essence!!!

Natural vanilla beans

Now I finally understand why Fu Jen University students love coming here for ice cream!! With the second scoop at half price and check-in discounts, it’s no wonder the word spreads like wildfire. But truthfully, it’s the delicious taste that’s the real draw — recommended by the students themselves.

The display in the freezer looks so unique!! The gelato is stacked in layers, creating a wonderful sense of depth. Italian gelato typically has about 8% milk fat and is also called gelato. Each flavor is thoughtfully topped with its key ingredients, giving off such a lovely vibe.

I couldn’t help but take a photo of every single flavor — what do you want to try?! Ugh, it’s so hard to decide… Can I have one of each?

Boss Ah-Zhe, you’re the best!! You’ve satisfied our picky group’s demands — we each got to try a little taste of everything^^

The boss said that since fruit availability changes with the seasons, the flavors vary daily. If the quality isn’t up to par or the texture isn’t satisfying, they won’t sell it (then can I have it?!).

Ruirui had red guava + mango. The boss said: lighter flavors should go on top, heavier ones on the bottom, to bring out the best taste. And the mango? A mix of Ataulfo, native varieties, and lemon for a richer, layered flavor.

Little Beibei ended up with watermelon (chosen by Dad) + hazelnut (chosen by Mom). The gelato was so smooth and sweet, super refreshing~~~ Amidst the parental snacking, poor Little Beibei was left with just the crunchy biscuit cone.

Wang Liangliang’s favorite chocolate flavor even got her an extra button-shaped piece from the kind boss!!

This wave of Italian gelato mania has truly hit Yilan, and each shop has its own unique style and flavors. We loved the ambiance and setup of this place — sure, it’s small, but the variety of flavors makes it a highly recommended spot.


【BAMBINO Italian Gelato】
No. 189, Section 1, Zhongshan Road, Jiaoxi Township, Yilan County
03-9875215
Business hours: 12:00–21:00 (Closed every Tuesday)
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bambino.gelato

We are Ben & Jean, and we love food, travel, photography, and 3C.
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