A traditional old-fashioned ice shop with the flavors of childhood — enjoying the simplest coolness and satisfaction

Text and photos by /Orange Dog Loves Sweets

As the saying goes, the most profitable industries are: ‘First, selling ice; second, being a doctor.’ Who would have thought this top industry really stands the test of time? Just as summer’s heat begins to show its first signs and before the air conditioners even kick in, I’ve already lost count of how many ice creams I’ve devoured. But ice cream is really just a trend for me — for real refreshment, I think nothing beats Taiwan’s authentic shaved ice. I remember back in school, the greatest little joy of summer was sneaking out during lunch break to eat a bowl of eight-treasure ice. Now you don’t even need to climb over walls to get ice, but come summer, my favorite ice shops are always packed with people. This summer, I’m planning to visit some classic old ice shops, and the first one I want to feature is 【Chang Mi Tapioca Shaved Ice】 on Yongxing Street!!

I wouldn’t say I know Yongxing Street super well, but I do know a thing or two about its basic must-tries. At the corner where an electrical and plumbing shop sits, there's an interesting stall called 【Chang Mi Tapioca Shaved Ice】. In the summer, they sell tapioca and grass jelly shaved ice, and in winter, it turns into red bean cakes and grilled corn. But summer business is better, and at night, another affordable food stall called [Yong Sheng Chicken Rice] opens for business, also bustling with crowds.

This corner is truly a quiet goldmine. In summer, you can see a cluster of people around a tricycle from afar. Although I’ve been eating here for five years, it’s actually been around for over thirty. Almost all the ingredients are prepared in-house.

The tapioca is ground from scratch, and the grass jelly and pearl tapioca are also self-made, so the taste is much more down-to-earth compared to regular ice shops. There's no fancy decor — just a few simple tables and chairs set up under the arcade, where everyone enjoys their ice in the shade.

Looking at the current price list, if you’re not too picky, you can get a basic set of three toppings for just 40 NT. If I recall correctly, I’ve had it for 30 or maybe 35 NT before. After all, I only get to eat it every six months, so my memory of the price is pretty fuzzy. Each extra topping is 10 NT, and you can choose your sugar level — I go for half sugar.

【Signature Tapioca Shaved Ice / Tapioca + Pearl Tapioca + Red Beans / 50 NT】
The basic set comes with three store-selected toppings or you can choose your own, all for a flat 40 NT. Each additional topping is 10 NT. The ice here is handmade crushed ice, which is quite different from the fluffy snow-like ice you find at most modern shaved ice shops. It doesn’t melt super quickly, the coolness lasts longer, and it has that more traditional shaved ice vibe.

I really love their tapioca — it’s Q (chewy) and soft with just the right bite. Some places make it too hard or it falls apart as soon as you scoop it.

Eating it actually feels a bit like having a sweet version of cold noodles, but it doesn’t feel off at all. Also, the pearl tapioca and the... (text cut off) are not too soft, nor do they overcook easily. When cooked right, they have just the right firmness. (Note: Some text seems missing or garbled here.)

Although I feel their brown sugar pearl topping is a bit too sweet for my taste, it’s not overly cloying.

As for the red beans, I’m not sure why they turned out the way they did today... They were cooked a bit too hard for my liking. As for sweetness, they use sugar syrup, but I think half sugar strikes the perfect balance. It complements the icy coolness and adds texture to the toppings. Almost every summer, this place is my first stop.

Compared to the luxury of a bowl of ice at Taipei’s ICE MONSTER, which can cost a couple hundred NT, I actually prefer these traditional old-school ice shops or stalls with nostalgic flavors. They don’t chase after flashy appearances, but what you get is the simplest coolness and contentment. For just a few coins, you can casually sit down and enjoy. Though some say the taste may have changed over the years, I personally feel that aside from a slight price hike, the down-to-earth flavor hasn’t changed much. It’s not mind-blowingly delicious, but it’s that classic taste that makes you want to come back again. A simple sharing of thoughts from me — Up！

【PS: Postscript】
Right after I shared this on FACEBOOK, I saw a reply from a netizen surnamed Zhang. He said: ‘This was my dad’s favorite before he passed away…’ It almost brought tears to my eyes. That’s probably why no amount of exotic cuisine can replace the place street food holds in our hearts — because it’s part of the memories that grew with us. Maybe it’s just a bowl of noodles or a bowl of ice, but it records the innocence of childhood, the impulsiveness of youth, or our attachment to loved ones or certain life stories. It’s not just about the basic flavors of sweet, sour, bitter, and spicy that we taste on our tongues.

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【Chang Mi Tapioca Shaved Ice – Grass Jelly Ice – Yongxing Street │ North District】
Address: No. 116, Yongxing Street, North District, Taichung City (intersection of Yongxing Street and Dehua Street)
Phone: None
Business Hours: 10:30 AM – 6:00 PM
Note: Irregular holidays, usually closes when sold out, not necessarily until 6 PM
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