Italian gelato in the Gongguan shopping district – buy 2 scoops, get 1 free | Drinks also feature a hidden menu

Reporter Hua Shaofu / Taipei Report

Located in the Gongguan shopping district, IC Airport specializes in Italian gelato. Now in its fourth year of operation, the shop may be tucked away in an alley, but it frequently attracts National Taiwan University students and nearby tourists curious to explore. With over 80 flavors available, the store offers around 10–12 flavors on any given day. Unlike other shops, they also sell beverages, coffee, juices, pancakes, and even milkshakes—rarely seen elsewhere—with a variety of unique flavors.

The shop originally only sold coffee and gelato, later adding pancakes, and milkshakes were introduced this year. A single scoop of gelato costs NT$80, a double NT$150, and a triple NT$220. On the day of the reporter’s visit, many uncommon flavors were spotted, including strawberry milk, blueberry cheese milk, and lemon grapefruit. There was also something called “Alpha Gado,” which the owner explained is a floating gelato drink.

▲IC’s Italian gelato comes in over 80 flavors. (Photo / Reporter Hua Shaofu)

The shop was formerly known as IC Airport but is gradually being officially renamed iC. It also offers delivery services—gelato is frozen to -35°C using flash freezing before being packed in insulated bags for delivery. “We recommend customers freeze it again before eating, as the texture will be even better,” the owner smiled. “Since we use all-natural ingredients, the colors aren’t as vibrant. Many might think it looks unappealing, but that’s actually the most authentic flavor of the ingredients.” As for Italian gelato, everything is made fresh to order each day. “If we don’t sell out by the end of the day, we give it away—once gelato is exposed to air for too long, the flavor completely changes.”

Uniquely, the shop also offers a “custom Italian gelato making” service, where customers can bring in their own ingredients to create special-flavor gelato, such as sweet potato, pumpkin, or potato. “We’ve even made bee-flavored Italian gelato—not honey gelato, but gelato with frozen bees inside!” the owner said. Recently, they also sold “rice ice” on the shelves. “What’s rice ice? It’s kind of like Hawaiian ice cream with macadamia nuts—we just put rice inside the ice.”

▲The avocado mango is made from a whole mango, while the lemon grapefruit is the shop’s sourest flavor. (Photo / Reporter Hua Shaofu)

Avocado Mango & Lemon Grapefruit
Made from a whole avocado mango, the preparation process is intricate, resulting in a flavor that’s slightly sweet and tangy, with even a hint of fibrous texture. The lemon grapefruit is made with 100% lemon juice and Korean yuzu jam. This flavor is the sourest Italian gelato at the shop—not only refreshing but also perfect for summer.

▲The mint chocolate milkshake is refreshingly cool. (Photo / Reporter Hua Shaofu)

Mint Chocolate Milkshake
Despite using four large scoops of gelato, it only costs NT$150—making it the best value item on the menu. The menu lists only four fixed flavors, but there’s also a hidden daily milkshake that changes based on the available gelato flavors. However, not every gelato works well in a milkshake; it depends on the flavor profile. This mint chocolate milkshake is incredibly refreshing and a real treat on a hot summer day.

▲The blueberry cheese milkshake has a rich flavor. (Photo / Reporter Hua Shaofu)

Special offer: Until the end of November, show the ETNEWS News Cloud app when visiting the shop to get an exclusive deal of three scoops for NT$150 (plus one free extra scoop)!

iC

Address: No. 6, Lane 104, Section 3, Tingzhou Road, Zhongzheng District, Taipei City
Phone: 02-2367-9586
Business hours: Monday to Thursday 14:00–21:00, Friday 14:00–22:00, Saturday 12:00–22:00, Sunday 12:00–21:00. No days off.

ETNEWS News Cloud is currently collaborating with the shop for an interview and promotional event
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