Japanese-style shaved ice that's delicious and photogenic: Six top hipster ice shops across Taiwan

By MOOK Scenic Spots Editorial Team, compiled and reported

Japanese and Thai ice shops from abroad have been setting up in Taiwan, offering diners more diverse choices. In addition to traditional-style ice shops, in recent years, more and more ice shops have embraced a hipster vibe—shaved ice with rich textures topped with sauces creates an incredibly healing sight, allowing you to enjoy delicious flavors while taking photos for social media.

1. Danshui Asahi Couple
Located by the Tamsui River, the Asahi Couple ice shop offers stunning riverside views paired with Japanese-style shaved ice, giving customers the illusion of stepping into an Okinawan store. The shop has both indoor and outdoor bar areas, with patrons favoring the outdoor seating to enjoy the hipster-style Japanese shaved ice while watching the beautiful Tamsui sunset.
 
Address: No. 233-3, Zhongzheng Rd., Tamsui District, New Taipei City
Business hours: 12:00 – 20:00

2. Cheevit Cheeva Thai-style Snow Ice
The authentic and creative Thai ice brand Cheevit Cheeva, originating from Chiang Mai, Thailand, has opened its first overseas branch in Taiwan. With a simple and bright interior color scheme paired with a garden-style dining environment, it makes you feel like you're in Thailand. Their signature snow ice is made with fresh milk as the base, then topped with condensed milk and various other sauces, resulting in an incredibly smooth and rich texture.
 
Address: No. 23, Lane 240, Guangfu S. Rd., Da’an District, Taipei City
Business hours: 11:00 – 21:00

3. Kyushu Pure Ice Oishii Kōri-ya
The super-popular Japanese shaved ice shop Oishii Kōri-ya from Kyushu has opened its first overseas branch near Taipei’s Zhongshan Station. It air-freights a variety of ice products originally sold in Japan and uses water imported from Japan to create a cloud-like, fluffy, and smooth texture.
 
Address: No. 20, Lane 18, Nanjing W. Rd., Datong District, Taipei City
Business hours: 12:00 – 19:00 (Closed on Mondays)

4. I Want to Eat Ice
I Want to Eat Ice not only features a very Japanese-style storefront, but its menu also focuses on Japanese-style low-sugar ice desserts and handmade treats. The Uji Kinako shaved ice and the outrageously Instagrammable “White Mountain Blaze Ice” are especially popular, and they also offer healthy Japanese-style vegetarian meals.
 
Address: No. 80, Wenzhou St., Da’an District, Taipei City
Business hours: 12:00 – 22:00