Text by Li Xinyi, Wei Ruiwei, Jiang Mingli | Photography by Li Xinyi, Wei Ruiwei, Jiang Mingli, Tao Chen | Partial information sourced from Monocle Editorial Department

The previous feature introduced 22 unique local delicacies from northern, central, and southern Taiwan. This installment will focus on gifts from eastern Taiwan as well as the outlying islands of Matsu, Kinmen, and Penghu. In addition to well-known specialties, we’ve also scoured the regions for freshly launched items: affordable yet luxurious French-style cakes, claypot fish head sourced from reservoirs, health-conscious and adorable Angry Birds buns, pineapple cakes with a spicy twist, slightly tangy and healthy cactus tea, and lampshades made from Ali Mountain cypress wood. Join us in exploring these newly emerged specialty gifts, and you’ll discover the boundless creativity and local cultural essence they embody.

Yilan

23. Sesame Cake

With a 40-year history, Sanhe Bakery is best known for its scallion sesame cake, made with Sanxing scallions and natural plant oil. The savory, crispy texture is a childhood favorite for many locals, and the bakery still insists on handmade production every day. They also sell sweet beef tongue pastry and Chinese toon sesame cake. Home delivery is available, but fresh-out-of-the-oven cakes are only available from 10:00 to 17:30. It’s best to visit during those hours, though some say the cake tastes even better when cooled. Feel free to compare for yourself.

Sanhe Bakery

Address: No. 2-4, Lane 95, Taishan Rd., Yilan City

Phone: 0922-923-266

Price: NT$65 / 10 pieces

Website: www.sun-he.com.tw

24. Duck Jerky

The over 70-year-old San Yuan Hang is most famous for the “Three Treasures of Lanyang”: duck jerky, preserved liver, and kumquats—the first two being its signature products. Other offerings such as ready-to-eat meat floss and cured meats—no steaming or cooking required—are also extremely popular. While favored by tourists, the shop’s biggest customer base remains the locals.

San Yuan Hang

Address: No. 46, Shengping St., Yilan City

Phone: (03)932-3759

25. Taro Ice

Did you know that even the peanut ice cream rolls sold at scenic spots care about branding? Ajong Taro Ice City, which has been in business for over 50 years, is the wholesale supplier of ice products for various vendors at tourist sites. Ajong uses sugar, starch, water, and flavor-specific ingredients to make its ice treats—no chemical additives—so the taste can vary slightly with ambient temperature. Taro, red bean, and pineapple were among the earliest flavors offered. Speaking of the signature taro ice recipe, owner Huang Chih-an is quite the expert on taro. In summer, they use taro from Jiaxian and Dajia—dark purple in color with a chewy texture—while in winter, they switch to taro from Hualien, which has a similar texture but lighter color.

The owner said his family initially sold old-fashioned popsicles and “poppers.” The traditional popsicles declined under the competition from Pichi Pichi ice pops, but the poppers continued until 1992. Then, influenced by the emerging bubble tea trend—and around the time Huang Chih-an took over the family ice business—he switched to selling peanut ice cream rolls and wholesaling taro ice to vendors. Unexpectedly, the move became hugely popular, and peanut ice cream rolls could be found all over scenic areas, with over a hundred vendors at the peak. Sadly, the SARS outbreak dealt a major blow, leading them to shift focus back to retail. Visitors to Ajong Taro Ice City never stop coming. Each bite of their taro ice delivers genuine ingredients and carries the sweet taste of Taiwan’s transformation from hardship to prosperity.

Ajong Taro Ice City

Address: No. 267, Section 3, Qingyun Rd., Chengdong Li., Toucheng Township, Yilan County

Phone: (03)977-1362

Price: NT$40 / cup, choose any three flavors

Website: www.ajon.com.tw

Hualien

26. Pastries

The area around Zhonghua Road near Zhongshan Road in Hualien City can truly be described as a street of famous local specialties. Along this stretch, there are numerous well-known shops selling Hualien’s signature products, such as Bodhi Cake Shop’s Bodhi Crisps, Zongtai Food’s Red Chestnut Rice Crackers, Rose Cookie House’s rose cookies, Wenchang Duck Roast Shop’s Wenchang duck, Fuqi Pastry’s glutinous rice cakes, and Tea Fragrance Pastry’s tea-flavored pastries. In fact, visitors can pretty much find all the must-try local treats in one stop here. Among them, Tea Fragrance Pastry’s best-selling “Black Sugar Osmanthus Cake” and Rose Cookie House’s beautifully packaged rose cookies are especially popular among tourists from Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, and Macau.

Fengxing Pastry Shop

Address: No. 296-2, Zhonghua Road, Hualien City

Phone: (03)832-3436