Even preachers love this flavor – traditional shaved ice with raw egg yolk has an incredibly smooth texture

Photos & Text /MIKA’s Food Adventure Journal

It’s said that if you haven’t tried the over-50-year-old traditional Jianhua Ice Shop, you haven’t truly visited Nan’ao. This nearly 60-year-old store is a classic old-school shaved ice shop in Nan’ao Township, and it even has a rare, old-fashioned ice-making machine still in use. The shop’s specialty is its silky-smooth shaved ice made with a traditional old ice machine. The toppings are simple and rustic, but as long as there’s plenty of generous ingredients and the ice is smooth and fine, it tastes absolutely delicious. Jianhua Ice Shop is located on the Su-Hua Road in Nan’ao and is a beloved, authentic local gem.

This is an old-fashioned ice-making machine from the early days – Hualien’s cane sugar ice is also made using this type of machine.

Their menu features signature Preacher’s Ice and various flavors of milk ice, among others. This place also serves as the Nan’ao Tourism Information Center, so you can ask the friendly owner couple anything about traveling in Nan’ao – they’re super helpful.

Upon closer inspection, we found out they also serve rice dishes. Locals highly recommend their pork rib rice, but we were already too full to try it this time – maybe next time.

The signature Preacher’s Ice is also a must-try recommended by locals. It comes in two flavors: one with egg and one with ice cream, both priced at 60 NT$.

Preacher’s Ice with Ice Cream 60 NT$ – Preacher’s Ice is basically traditional shaved ice topped with condensed milk, red and green beans, soybeans, peanuts, and the like, with the option of adding a scoop of ice cream. Legend has it that the name comes from missionaries who visited the area for preaching and always ordered a mixed bean ice with an added egg yolk. Over time, it became known as “Preacher’s Ice.”

Preacher’s Ice with Egg 60 NT$ – Same as above, but the difference is adding a scoop of ice cream versus adding an egg. I thought it was super delicious. The traditional old-style ice cream has a texture similar to shaved ice but is so fine and smooth it feels like ice cream. It’s quite similar to the cane sugar ice from Shoufeng in Hualien. When you stir in the egg yolk, it becomes even smoother and sweeter without any fishy taste – I really love it.

After stirring the egg yolk with the shaved ice, the texture becomes even better. I especially love the peanuts in the toppings – their crispy, fragrant crunch adds a lot to the overall experience.

The owner couple were very chatty. When we talked about Nan’ao’s mysterious beach, the owner enthusiastically said they were just about to go there and offered to take us along – how nice. We walked along a hidden path through a quaint little farming village, and the mountain mist and lush rice ears were so beautiful we couldn’t help but marvel.

After crossing the bridge, turn left onto Yilan Route 58 (Nan’ao South Road), which leads to Mysterious Beach.

Along the way, you can enjoy the natural scenery of fish farms and farmland.

This spot is really only known to locals. Although the weather was a bit gloomy, we could still feel the enchanting charm of Mysterious Beach.

Locals say that if you walk along the beach, you’ll eventually come across a stunning natural sea cave.
But we arrived too late today, so the owner advised us to come earlier next time for safety.

Many cyclists come here to explore. Hope I can make it earlier next time to see the sea cave up close.

【Jianhua Ice Shop】
Address: No. 419, Section 2, Su-Hua Road, Nan’ao Township, Yilan County
Phone: 03-9981150