Summer is all about enjoying ice treats to the fullest – A lazy guide to 35 must-try ice shops in Yilan

Photos & Text /Purple Smile

When summer heat hits and you’re out exploring, nothing beats a cool treat to beat the sweltering heat. This guide rounds up some of the most iconic ice shops across various towns in Yilan. If you happen to visit any of these areas, don’t miss the chance to find these ice spots. Take a break and indulge in a big bowl of your favorite icy delight – guaranteed to refresh you and melt away the summer heat!!

1. Xiao Liang Yuan (Little Cool Rounds)
Address: No. 88, Kailan Rd., Toucheng Township, Yilan County
Phone: 03-9771678
Enjoy ice in an old house with a row of low windows, retro chairs, and an antique shaved ice machine... it’s such a nostalgic spot. The Eight-Treasure Ice is their signature dish~~ shaved ice topped with a generous helping of red beans, pineapple, adzuki beans, mung beans, wheat crisps, sweet potatoes... and other soft, flavorful ingredients. Delicious, not overly sweet, and full of happiness.

2. Lianfa Taro Ice
Address: No. 190, Section 3, Qingyun Rd., Toucheng Township, Yilan County
Phone: 03-9771356
This Lianfa Taro Ice shop has been around for ages. The ice they serve is similar to the old-fashioned “Babo” ice – the kind street vendors used to sell. Back in the day, there were no ice creams or sorbets, so this is the real deal in traditional flavors. Red dragon fruit, their signature taro ice, and guava ice with its rich fragrance – highly recommended!! This place comes highly recommended!!

3. A Zong Taro Ice City
Address: No. 267, Section 3, Qingyun Rd., Toucheng Township, Yilan County
Phone: 03-977-1362
Business Hours: Monday–Sunday, 09:00–21:00
When it comes to A Zong Taro Ice City, it’s a name everyone knows. Even before it became super popular, many had tried it but didn’t know its official name, because it was the star in things like Babo or Yilan peanut roll ice cream – outstanding yet understated, so it was lesser known back then. But now, it’s a totally different story. Just head to Toucheng in Yilan, drive along Highway 9, and look for the shop with the long line outside – that’s it!!!

4. BAMBINO Italian Gelato
Address: No. 189, Section 1, Zhongshan Rd., Jiaoxi Township, Yilan County
Phone: 03-987-5215
Business Hours: Monday: 12:00–21:00 / Wednesday–Sunday: 12:00–21:00
In recent years, Italian gelato has taken the world by storm. BAMBINO Italian Gelato on Jiaoxi Old Street uses imported ingredients and locally sourced fresh fruits to create its cool, sweet treats with fantastic texture. Especially since “BAMBINO” means “little child” in Italian, the shop is decorated with a playful touch, and enjoying a bite of their delicious gelato feels like returning to childhood and rediscovering the purest joy.

5. Ye Family Spicy Chili Ice Cream
Address: No. 61, Section 5, Jiaoxi Rd., Jiaoxi Township, Yilan County (Opposite Yishunxuan near Tangweigou)
Phone: 03-9882639, 03-9982698
The flavors of their ice cream (peanut, passion fruit, taro, chocolate, etc.) may seem pretty normal at first glance, but they also contain chili flakes. And that’s not all~~~ you can also add chili cookies, chili powder, hot sauce, and other spicy toppings of your choice to drizzle over the ice cream. Hehe, the aroma and taste are truly unique!!

6. Xia Lei Italian Gelato / Coffee
Address: No. 27, Railway Lane 1, Hemu Rd., Yilan City (Right across from Kiwi Gallery, at the intersection of Yixing Rd. and Minquan Rd.)
Phone: 03-933-3030
Recently, Kiwi Square has been getting livelier and livelier. This La Vie Italian Gelato/Café is tucked away beside the fluffy rabbit sculpture in Kiwi Square. Though the shop isn’t big, it’s bright and tasteful, with a very elegant all-white color scheme. The most colorful part of the store is the array of tempting Italian gelato. With an 8% milk fat content, their gelato is refreshing and guilt-free. The high-quality gelato paired with top-notch illy coffee makes for the perfect combo for travelers taking a break. We love sitting under the tree, sipping coffee, and watching the stream of visitors come and go. Sometimes, people are the most beautiful scenery. Don’t forget to stroll over after exploring Kiwi Square!

7.Dancing Cream
Address: No. 37, Xinxing Road, Yilan City (Dongmen Night Market Parking Lot)
Business Hours: 11:00–22:30
Dancing Cream specializes in a variety of ice cream flavors, with one new flavor introduced each day. We tried their Tiramisu, Matcha, and Rum Raisin ice creams (one cup with two flavors for NT$80). The texture was very smooth and creamy. Ben especially loved the Matcha flavor, and the Rum Raisin was great too. Apparently, the shop often experiments with new flavors, so adventurous eaters can look forward to unique tastes.

8.30-Year-Old Shop: Lemon and Grass Jelly
Address: No. 156, Zhongshan Road, Yilan City (Longitude: 121.75801, Latitude: 24.748529)
Phone: (03) 935-8698
Business Hours: 10:00–22:00
Signature ~ Lemon & Grass Jelly: Rich lemon aroma paired with cool, chewy grass jelly—smooth and not overly sweet. Yakult Passion Fruit Ice: Slightly tangy passion fruit juice mixed with the sweetness of Yakult, giving it a richer taste that’s a bit sweeter than the grass jelly. Their winter specialty, Longan Tea, is also fantastic—it’s my go-to when I have a cold. Drinking the ginger-infused longan tea warms you right up, perfect for autumn and winter.

10. South Market Cold Tapioca Balls
Address: No. 1, Chenghuang Street, Yilan City (Chenghuang Street & Zhongshan Road Intersection) / Next to the entrance of South Market on Guangfu Road, Yilan City
Business Hours: From 7:00 AM until sold out
A small pushcart is the shop’s biggest feature—the white tapioca balls are what set them apart. Though not as chewy as regular black tapioca, the soft texture is still quite pleasant. Paired with icy brown sugar syrup, there’s a faint hint of old-school banana-flavored drink aroma—ha, it totally beats the heat.

11. Black Shop Ice
Address: No. 63, Section 2, Shennong Road, Yilan City
Business Hours: Weekdays: 11:00–21:50 / Winter: 11:00–18:00, 21:00 (until sold out)
This Black Shop Ice is a well-known old shop far and wide. In recent years, thanks to tourists, its fame has reached new heights. But due to a trademark dispute, the name “Black Shop Ice” can’t be written down—even though it’s famous enough that the shop doesn’t bother putting up a sign, and business is still booming. Milk + Peanut is a local favorite. The peanuts are fragrant and rich, and the milk is smooth and delicious. The texture isn’t as creamy as ice cream, but it’s pretty close.

12. Hei Show Ice Shop
Address: No. 16-1, Bairi Road, Yilan City
Phone: 03-936-1864
This is a branch of Black Shop Ice, hence the name Hei Show. They keep the “Black” theme in the name—pretty fun, right? Though not as bustling as the main shop, business here is also thriving, and the portions seem a bit more generous... at least in our opinion. Compared to the main shop, we actually come here more often because parking is easier, and nearby students from Yilan University often visit. The ice desserts here are almost identical to those at the main shop, with the added option of toppings similar to those in shaved ice. Hei Show’s ice is sold by weight, but you can still choose three flavors to mix. Pineapple, Longan, and Peanuts~~~ all sweet and delicious. Oh, and I should mention again—peanuts and milk are the must-try signature items, and they’re my personal favorites.

13. Qi Lin Ice Desserts
Address: No. 22-12, Donggang Road, Yilan City
Phone: 03-937-0069
Business Hours: 11:00–22:00, Closed on Tuesdays
A happy ending spot for travelers getting off the Yilan Highway interchange. Peanut Pudding is also great, with a strong peanut aroma. Another standout is Almond—unique in flavor, and a must-try for almond lovers. It’s rich but not overly sweet. Also recommended is the Matcha Red Bean—it’s a classic combo where the sweet red beans complement the matcha aroma. The matcha flavor here is a must-order!!

14. Long Lai Fruit Juice Specialty Store
Address: Section 2, Minquan Road, Yilan City (right across from Yilan Black Shop Ice)
Phone: 03-9329849
The location is easy to find—just right across from Yilan Black Shop Ice. The juices are definitely thick and rich. If it’s good, the price isn’t an issue. Papaya Milk hits the mark from the first sip—the fresh milk doesn’t overpower the flavor. Instead, it’s perfectly balanced with the thick, luscious papaya taste. The ratio is just right. Papaya Milk~~ so good you don’t need to wait in line to buy it. Then there’s my favorite, Avocado Milk—the natural sweetness of the fruit paired with a hint of creamy milk. Gulping it down, I finished it in no time!!

14. Sanpingban Bean Curd Pudding
Address: No. 8, Lane 16, Bairi Rd., Yilan City
Phone: 03-931-1231
Business Hours: 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM
As the name suggests, the shop is only three and a half ping (approx. 11.6 square meters) in size, run by the wife of master calligrapher Lai Dongcai. The interior is filled with calligraphy works by her husband—even the lanterns outside, walls, and ceilings are all brush-written by the owner. The bean curd pudding is made from scratch: they grind the beans, cook them, strain them, and make the pudding themselves, with no defoamers added. All ingredients are freshly made daily, even the syrup is made from winter melon and black sugar—it’s not just a simple sugar mix.

15. Yilan Dongmen Night Market * Old Shop Bean Curd Pudding
Address: Under the Donggang Bridge, Yilan City
Ever since I was a kid walking to Yilan Night Market for snacks, my family would always stop by this bean curd pudding shop. Their pudding has a rich flavor and plenty of toppings—I especially love their tapioca pearls and the soup that isn’t overly sweet. Both the mixed bean curd pudding and the ginger-flavored version are just 25 NT dollars. It’s a great choice for a snack or something sweet when exploring the night market in the evening.

16. Yilan Dongmen Night Market * Shaky Ice
Address: Donggang Bridge, Yilan City (at the entrance of Dongmen Night Market under the bridge)
Located right under the night market sign, this Shaky Ice is the perfect summer night treat. This once wildly popular Shaky Ice from the old days now only lives on in the memories of those who grew up in the '60s and '70s. They offer just a few simple ice flavors: mung bean, lemon, and milk. The milk ice has a rich, fragrant taste, and the freshly squeezed lemon ice also tastes great—tangy and refreshing. Highly recommend the mung bean flavor—it’s so hearty, packed with thick mung bean slush, and has such an aromatic, cool flavor. I became a loyal fan after just one try!!

17. Yilan Dongmen Night Market * Three-Color Pudding with Eight Treasures
Address: Donggang Bridge, Yilan City (at the entrance of Dongmen Night Market under the bridge, opposite Peng Cong You Bing)
As the name implies, the three-color pudding consists of white bean curd pudding paired with chocolate and egg puddings. But here’s the highlight: it comes with a generous helping of the “eight treasures” toppings and a big bowl of crushed ice with black sugar syrup. I didn’t count exactly how many treasures there are, but you can ask the owner to leave out any you don’t like. Every ingredient is high quality, and the bowl is piled high with goodies—you’ll need to dig down to get to them all. The large cup even comes with a whipped cream ball. Once you drizzle that on top, it becomes Jean’s go-to summer refresher. It’s not overly sweet and has a subtle creamy flavor. Sometimes you’ll bite into distinct red or green beans, other times you’ll get the rich taro paste or chewy bits. Honestly, one big cup is enough for two to share—highly recommended!! A real must-try.

18. Tiejilu Foot 1963 Ice Treats
Address: No. 2-5, Shenghou St., Yilan City (next to the level crossing near Yilan Night Market)
Phone: 03-9312176
On a summer evening, after visiting Dongmen Night Market, I came here specifically to check it out. As it turned out, my memory was spot on—there really is an old-school ice shop by the railway under Donggang Bridge. Once you arrive, you realize it’s literally by the train tracks, and the storefront faces a one-way road, making parking very inconvenient. You have to park nearby and walk over. They serve peanut red beans, pineapple, milk, strawberry, passion fruit, and taro ice... There’s nothing fancy about the decor here—it’s very simple. I fell in love with their strawberry flavor, which actually has real strawberry bits!! Strawberries taste best when they’re sweet and juicy, and these had a fragrant, fruity aroma. With one bite, the sweet-tangy, rich flavor bursts out~~~ such a mouthful of sweetness.

19. Little Water Buffalo Snowflake Ice
Address: No. 385, Minzu Rd., Yilan City
Phone: 03-9330113
Business Hours: Mon–Fri 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM / Sat–Sun 10:30 AM – 10:00 PM
Little Water Buffalo is a memory from my middle school days. Back then, the shop was near Shenong Rd., and in the summer, classmates would gather there for ice treats. Their signature item is snowflake ice, available in four flavors: milk, peanut, matcha, and bamboo charcoal, plus various toppings. The snowflake ice piles up like a small mountain—it’s quite a generous portion, enough for two people to share a bowl and enjoy the cool refreshment!!

20. Chenghuang Temple Mouth Cold White Tapioca Pearls
Address: No. 1, Chenghuang Rd., Yilan City (at the intersection of Chenghuang St. and Zhongshan Rd.)
Phone: 03-9362562
Business Hours: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM (until sold out)
These white tapioca pearls differ from the usual red ones not only in color but also in their less sticky syrup. Just watching how they scoop the pearls shows that, and the sweetness is moderate. These white tapioca pearls also have a softer texture—you don’t need to chew much, just slurp them down. As the sign says, cold white—this cool, refreshing drink tastes pretty good.

21. Wangpin Bean Curd Pudding
Address: No. 121, Xinmin Rd., Yilan City (diagonally opposite Yilan Hospital)
Contact number: 03-9351017
Business hours: 09:00–22:00; Sundays 09:00–17:00 (open year-round)
Signature flavors (tofu pudding + tapioca pearls + peanuts), mixed flavor (tofu pudding + tapioca pearls + mung beans). The tofu pudding is rich and delicious, with a smooth texture, plus the chewy tapioca pearls and the cooling mung beans, all topped with refreshing shaved ice or slush... truly a summer essential, no wonder even locals love it.

22. Beimen Mung Bean Dessert
Address: No. 208, Section 3, Zhongshan Road, Yilan City (intersection of Zhongshan Road and Jiucheng North Road, Yilan City)
Phone: 03-9322852
Business hours: 10:00 until sold out
This is also one of Yilan City’s old shops—expect to queue if you want to try it. The original mung bean dessert, haha~ Of course, photos can’t capture its richness, creaminess, and aroma—all of which you have to experience in person. Honestly, mung bean dessert is just mung beans blended into a slush. There’s no trick to it, so don’t expect too much variety. But at least this old shop still maintains its quality—you won’t get a bad one. The shop also serves popular drinks like papaya milk and taro slush.

23. Sunflower Ice Shop
Address: No. 72, Section 2, Fuxing Road, Yilan City
Phone: 03-932-8958
Business hours: 10:00–23:00
This place is famous for its elaborately designed shaved ice—Birthday Ice, Volcano Eruption Ice, Treasure Basin Ice... haha. Even the menu has so many choices, it’s overwhelming~ Our usual pick is mango shaved ice, but Ben spotted highland liquor lemon white ice and gave it a try, hehe.

24. Stuffed Tapioca Pearls
Forest Park Branch Address: No. 127, Zhongzheng North Road, Luodong Town, Yilan County   Phone: 03-9566528   Business hours: 09:30–19:00
Park Branch 1 Address: Stall 1079, Night Market, Luodong Town, Yilan County   Phone: 03-9562528   Business hours: 11:00–24:00
Park Branch 2 Address: No. 95, Park Road, Luodong Town, Yilan County   Phone: 03-9560528   Business hours: 11:00–24:00
Post Office Branch Address: No. 69, Xingdong Road, Luodong Town (Luodong Post Office)   Phone: 03-9553155   Business hours: 11:00–24:00
Station Branch Address: No. 2, Gongzheng Road, Luodong Town, Yilan County (second floor, Luodong Railway Station)   Phone: 03-9552807   Business hours: 10:00–21:30
Crescent Branch Address: No. 6, Lane 38, Section 2, Minquan Road, Yilan City (fourth floor, Crescent Plaza)   Phone: 03-9101688   Business hours: 11:00–21:30
Jiaoxi Branch Address: No. 35, Section 5, Jiaoxi Road, Jiaoxi Township, Yilan County   Phone: 03-9889566   Business hours: 11:00–24:00
After the split, whether it’s Wei Jie’s Stuffed Tapioca Pearls or Jing Yuan Hong’s version, there’s not much difference—they’re both delicious!! So-called stuffed tapioca pearls are tapioca pearls filled with red bean—a brilliant idea!! They’re served hot and paired with cold desserts for a unique combo. But as someone from Yilan City, I’ll be honest—I personally prefer the all-stuffed tapioca pearl shaved ice. Eat it hot in winter, cold in summer... besides the stuffed tapioca pearls, there are tons of variations—stuffed soy milk tofu pudding, stuffed ginger juice tofu pudding, stuffed longan and white fungus, stuffed yogurt slush, stuffed pudding with condensed milk, stuffed mixed pudding, stuffed grass jelly... amazing.

25. Ice Snow
Address: No. 43, ZhenTai Street, Luodong Town, Yilan County
Phone: (03)954-6853
Business hours: 10:30–23:00
Ice Snow is one of the night market’s old shops. It offers a wide variety of food and drink, with plenty of seating—great for group meals and full of memories for local students. They also serve steak, which has a pretty good reputation by Luodong Night Market standards, though I haven’t tried it yet. You could even have steak and then dessert—how convenient!!

26. Luodong Red Bean Glutinous Balls
Address: No. 180, Section 3, Zhongshan Road, Luodong Town, Yilan County
Phone: 03-9548328
Business hours: 10:00~22:00
A shop with over 40 years of history—enjoy it hot in winter and cold in summer. The tangyuan (sweet glutinous rice balls) are soft yet chewy without sticking to your teeth, and the red beans are smooth and creamy. Honestly, I found it a bit too sweet and not quite to my taste!! But then again, maybe it’s that classic old flavor, passed down through generations by word of mouth—any change might make it feel off.

27. Jianfang Pharmacy Tofu Pudding
Location: No. 35, Minquan Road, Luodong Township, Yilan County (in front of Jianfang Pharmacy)
This unassuming yet delicious tofu pudding shop in Luodong is a must-recommend. It’s been around for at least a decade, and the place gets packed with customers on weekends. Located at the end of Luodong Night Market, on Minquan Road near Jianfang Pharmacy (walk straight past ㄚ灶柏 Lamb), it’s just a small stall with a few tables and chairs. Traditional tofu pudding served with brown sugar ice water—this simple yet satisfying flavor has won over many locals. The sugar water isn’t overly sweet, and there are chewy black tapioca pearls and silky-smooth tofu pudding. Truly a legendary summer treat.

28. Jinweifang Tofu Pudding
Address: No. 321, Gongzheng Road, Luodong Township (opposite Luodong High School)
Phone: 03-9517937
An old shop opposite Luodong High School, frequented by students. I’ll just say the three-color pudding has a fragrant taste, the syrup isn’t too sweet, and the pudding cubes are richer than those at the Yilan Night Market. Here comes the highlight—the warm QQ (chewy) pearls are big, soft, and smooth, unlike the usual artificially stiff ones. They hold their own even in the cold three-color tofu pudding sweet soup. The most surprising part? They also sell retro-style shaved ice and oyster omelets. Man, they really know how to charge.

29. Yide Food (Sanxing Scallion Ice, Admiral Pear Ice)
Address: No. 25, Lane 376, Section 3, Shangjiang Road, Dayi Village, Sanxing Township, Yilan County
Phone: 03-989-8467
Business hours: 08:00 ～ 18:30
The Sanxing scallion ice cream is bursting with scallion aroma—you’ll still taste the scallions long after you finish. The Admiral pear ice cream is also great, filled with the fruity scent of pears and bits of fruit for added texture. Really lovely.

30. Bai Xue Taro Ice / Nostalgic Clear Ice
Address: No. 2, Lane 12, Zhongshan Road, Sanxing Township, Yilan County
Phone: (03)989-3530
Business hours: 7AM~6PM
This is an old shop with about eighty years of history, tucked away in the alleys of Sanxing Township, not far from the main road. Their traditional ice treats use high-quality ingredients. On a hot summer day, a bowl of their ice is incredibly refreshing.

31. Dongshan Little Kite Snowflake Ice
Address: No. 17, Zhonghua Road, Dongshan Township, Yilan County (in front of Dongshan Railway Station)
Phone: 03 959 0875
Business hours: Weekdays 10:30~21:30 / Holidays 10:00~22:00
This snowflake ice shop across from Dongshan Railway Station is easy to find. Their uniquely double-colored snowflake ice looks like a pleated skirt—or maybe a Jadeite Cabbage?! One serving gives you two specially made flavors, which is super distinctive. Try flavors like matcha milk snowflake ice, banana chocolate snowflake ice, lemon lemonade snowflake ice, pumpkin soy milk ice... and you can add toppings. Snowflake ice can be surprisingly varied!! Fun fact: you can enjoy your ice while watching all kinds of trains pass by.

32. Xinjianli Ice Shop
Address: No. 81, Sugang Road, Su’ao Township, Yilan County
Phone: 03-9963557
Business hours: Weekdays 08:00-22:00 / Holidays 08:00-22:00
This old shop originally focused on wholesale ice production and has been around for over sixty years. Their homemade ice uses quality ingredients, and the traditional flavors are made with real, wholesome components. The taro ice is made with genuine taro, giving it a rich taro aroma and unique texture. The peanut ice is made with thick peanut butter—definitely a must-try for peanut lovers. It’s a traditional ice shop you can’t miss when visiting Su’ao Township.

33. Liang Yi Baba Pu Specialty Store
Address: No. 98-2, Section 1, Zhongshan Road, Su'ao Town, Yilan County (directly opposite Bank of Taiwan)
Phone: 03-9965858
Business Hours: Summer (June–October) 10 AM–10 PM / Weekdays: 12 PM–10 PM
This is a local shop that has been around for over 40 years, mostly supplying pre-made ice desserts to businesses across northern Taiwan. As the shop itself is an ice factory, most customers who come here to enjoy ice treats are real connoisseurs. Among their offerings, “Taro Ice” is the most popular. Signature bestsellers include taro, peanuts, longan, pineapple, preserved fruits, and kumquats... Seasonal specials include mango, avocado, cactus, and dragon fruit—don’t miss the especially popular Taro Bubble Tea Ice. They also offer freshly squeezed juice slushies 〈lemon, orange, passion fruit〉 as well as ice cream cakes. Additionally, to cater to dessert lovers, they’ve introduced handmade traditional tofu pudding and grass jelly in a wide variety of flavors.

34. Nanshing Ice? Room
Address: No. 67, Dadao Road, Su'ao Town, Yilan County
Phone: 03-9981-171
Red Bean, Egg, and Milk Ice – this is their signature. Finely shaved, smooth slush ice that’s not too sweet, with a light fragrance and excellent flavor. The red beans have a subtly sweet taste, and the raw egg on top of the ice turns into a solid “ice egg flower” – how fun. Next time you’re passing through Nan’ao, try the different flavors.

35. Jianhua Ice Shop (Missionary Ice)
Address: No. 419, Section 2, Su-Hua Road, Nan’ao Township, Yilan County
Phone: (03)9981150
Missionary Ice – it’s said that this was a favorite among missionaries traveling between Yilan and Hualien back in the day. They liked to add ingredients like red beans, large red beans, cowpeas, mung beans, and peanuts, plus a raw egg yolk, which is why it came to be called Missionary Ice. But honestly, isn’t that just a mixed ice? The texture of the ice is very smooth, and adding a yolk is indeed surprising—but there’s no fishy taste as I’d imagined, which is quite satisfying.

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