"Three Gorges Ice Factory" sells ice, coffee, and nostalgia

▲The "Three Gorges Ice Factory" sells ice, coffee, and rich retro flavors.

Intern Reporter Xu Jiaqi / Taipei Reporting & Photography

When you think of Sanxia, images of croissants, stinky tofu, and indigo dyeing come to mind. On the nostalgic old street, there’s a "Three Gorges Ice Factory" that serves traditional delicacies.

During the Japanese colonial era, Sanxia Old Street was a bustling commercial hub, home only to influential families. The 2008 financial crisis devastated Taiwan’s economy, leaving many areas struggling. Six years ago, the New Taipei City Government decided to restore Sanxia Old Street to its former glory. The Three Gorges Ice Factory opened around that time.

In this shop, there’s no greasy smell or leftover food—just a nostalgic ambiance, music from 1950s singers, and traditional Taiwanese treats like milk tea with shaved ice, classic plum juice, puff pastry, almond tea, and youtiao.


▲The walls of the "Three Gorges Ice Factory" are covered with the owner’s collections.

The walls are also adorned with the owner’s collectibles, many over 50 years old—such as vintage movie posters, train timetables, graduation certificates, and Tatung dolls. It was also a filming location for the movie *Love Practice* and the idol drama *Rainy Night Flower*. A college student surnamed Jiang from Kaohsiung, visiting the north, said the shop’s unique exterior caught her eye, so she and her boyfriend decided to try it.

All the food here comes with the owner’s personal guarantee. Though she had no prior experience in the food industry, the owner is highly sensitive about food safety, working only with certified suppliers and never cutting corners—so every bite is worry-free.


▲The milk tea shaved ice has a unique flavor.

Take the milk tea shaved ice, for example: the bottom layer features thick, hot milk tea and classic shaved ice toppings, topped with a dense mini ice mountain, drizzled with brown sugar, and sprinkled with milk tea powder. The texture is truly one-of-a-kind. The shop also sells coffee to cater to diverse tastes, using Starbucks beans ground in-house—you get the same great taste at half the price. Owner Anna said, "One customer even quit instant coffee after trying ours."

The classic plum juice is the shop’s signature drink. Anna says it’s perfect for Taiwan’s sweltering summers.The plum juice has just the right balance of tartness and sweetness—if you want it colder, just ask the owner. Anna added that they didn’t originally sell plum juice in winter, but after customers said they craved it even in the cold Sanxia winter, it became available year-round.


▲The movie *Love Practice* and idol drama *Rainy Night Flower* were also filmed here.


▲They sell both ice and coffee here.

Shop Info
Address: No. 97, Minquan St., Sanxia Township, New Taipei City
Phone: 0922-500557
Business Hours: Noon until crowds disperse (around 6 PM)


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