Slow Food Banqiao: Discover the Delights of Time-Honored Pastry Shops

Ever since the Ban-Nan MRT line opened, the distance to Banqiao has significantly shortened. In addition to visiting well-known landmarks like the Taipei County Government Building, the Lin Family Mansion and Garden, and the Taiwan University of Arts, the old-timey pastry shops that carry the fragrance of tradition are also must-visits while strolling through Banqiao. Especially around Fuzhong MRT Station, on Nanmen Street, walking along the street feels like stepping back in time to old Taipei. Pastry shops, bridal supply stores, and antique shops line both sides of the road, with the aroma of traditional baked goods wafting through the air at all times—making the stroll particularly nostalgic.

Banqiao’s Nanmen Street is also known as the “Pastry Street,” home to numerous bakeries, many of which are long-established, historic shops. Among them, Changxing Pastry Shop, founded in 1974, is the most popular. The bold black-and-gold signboard at the entrance reads “Banqiao Specialty Red Bean Paste Pastry — Changxing Expert in Engagement Cakes,” which is hard to miss. Inside the shop, besides the ever-present aroma of freshly baked treats, there's another highlight: a transparent display case near the historical wall on the left side of the store, showcasing traditional cake molds and stamps passed down from the original owner—tools imbued with centuries-old baking traditions and beliefs.

The founder of Changxing Pastry Shop, Huang A-Chang, originally started out selling miscellaneous groceries and grains during the Japanese colonial period. In the 36th year of the Republic of China (1947), during the Mid-Autumn Festival, he began making and selling mooncakes. The product became an instant hit and successfully transformed the business into a long-standing bakery specializing in mooncakes. At that time, Changxing Pastry Shop helped establish the unique Banqiao custom of eating Changxing mooncakes during the Mid-Autumn Festival. The second-generation owners relocated the shop to Nanmen Street, which triggered an agglomeration effect that led to the concentration of pastry shops along the entire street—an iconic scene is the long queues during holidays as people rush to buy their favorite treats.

The shop’s most popular item is the red bean paste pastry. From ingredients to the entire baking process, traditional methods are strictly adhered to. The finished pastry has a delicate, snow-white, tender appearance, and its melt-in-your-mouth texture upon eating is especially enticing. This delicious treat remains a customer favorite even on regular days, making it a true Banqiao specialty. Other flavors, such as the savory pork floss pastry, are equally beloved by both returning and new customers.

Changxing Pastry Shop
Address: No. 58, Nanmen Street, Banqiao City
Phone: (02)2968-5741
Business Hours: 08:30–22:00

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