Taichung's US Military Soy Milk Ice Cream Has an Intense Flavor – Moms Were Shocked and Exclaimed, "How Can It Be So Rich?"

▲ Taichung's US Military Soy Milk Ice.

Reported and photographed by You Tzu-ju / Taichung

In a small alley in central Taichung, there’s a tiny ice cream shop decorated to resemble the early-style Taiwanese ice parlors. The small space is filled with the aroma of soybeans. This little shop, named "US Military Soy Milk Ice," has gained some fame because it’s said to have startled many moms who bought it — they couldn’t help but exclaim, "Why is the flavor so strong?"


▲ % During the day, you can see the staff using Taiwanese-made blenders.

"US Military Soy Milk Ice" gets its name because it’s located next to the site of the former U.S. military club. The store mainly offers desserts and frozen treats such as soy milk tofu pudding and soy milk ice. Yu Ni, an employee at US Military Soy Milk Ice, pointed out that all the soybeans used in the shop come from Taiwan’s Kaohsiung-selected No. 10 variety, grown in Tainan’s Shanhua area. "The key thing about Taiwanese soybeans is that they are all non-GMO, with high nutritional value and are relatively safer to eat."

A simple bowl of soy milk tofu pudding, topped with red beans. Just a small serving is bursting with fragrance, and the refreshing, sweet taste bursts forth continuously in your mouth, as the melted ice swirls like it’s dancing. Yu Ni said that Taiwanese soybeans have a rich aroma, and the owner aims to preserve as much of that soybean fragrance as possible during cooking, so less water is added. "Many moms who come to buy it are surprised and say, 'How can it be so rich?' They even worry if it’s fake."


▲ Soy Milk Tofu Pudding.

It may taste shockingly strong, but it’s all made with carefully selected, quality ingredients. The shop’s signature soy milk ice comes with four toppings, plus soy milk, soy milk syrup, and shaved ice. The flavor is like eating shaved ice made directly with soy milk, and all the fillings like red beans and Job’s tears are homemade. "Taiwanese soybeans are higher in value and are grown without pesticides, making them healthier than the mass-produced foreign soybeans commonly found on the market."


▲ % The various grains and beans used are all cooked in-house.

If you chat with the staff at "US Military Soy Milk Ice," you can also learn more about Taiwanese soybeans. For example, Taiwanese soybeans are non-GMO and grown without pesticides. In addition, apart from being highly nutritious, they’re also beneficial to the soil. When you plant a field of soybeans, their roots develop nodules that absorb nitrogen from the soil and air, increasing the soil’s nutrient content. Soil that has grown soybeans becomes more fertile and healthy. However, taking care of soybeans isn’t easy — Taiwan’s climate allows for only two planting seasons per year, which makes production costs higher.

US Military Soy Milk Ice
Address: No. 380-2, Minsheng Road, West District, Taichung City
Phone: 0989 008 801
Business Hours: 12:00–21:30
Prices: Soy Milk Tofu Pudding 60 NTD, Soy Milk Ice 50 NTD