Uncle Rayfang opens an ice cream shop on Old Street in Ruifang District. He believes that if you don’t know how to do something, you can learn and probably master it.

▲The ice cream truck inside Lick Lick Ice Cream’s Lick Shop boasts super cute colors that have become a major highlight of the store. (Photo / Reposted fromLick Lick Ice Cream Official Fan Page)

By Reporter Zhou YRong

Ruifang, a transit hub for nearby attractions such as Jiufen, is home to a uniquely styled little shop called “Lick Lick Ice Cream Lick Shop.” This ice cream shop was founded by four uncles with a combined age of 188 years old. These four veterans each had impressive careers in their respective fields—two long-time experts in advertising visuals and animation, and the other two self-taught engineers specializing in circuit and mechanical design as well as makers. Their personalities vary greatly, including artistic, dreamy, and engineering types.

But all four share the same belief:“If we don’t know how, we’ll learn.”By chance, they discovered that the ingredients in ice cream vary greatly, and realized there are very few shops that truly use high-quality ingredients without chemical additives. So, the four uncles made up their minds to create the most natural ice cream, completely free of chemical additives. From having no knowledge of ice cream whatsoever, they developed key technologies and successfully created chemical-free ice cream. They handle everything themselves, from production methods to ingredient selection.

▲Using Taiwanese fruits and incorporating local design elements and packaging, Lick Lick Ice Cream crafts ice cream filled with happiness. (Photo / Reposted fromLick Lick Ice Cream Official Fan Page)

As for why they chose Ruifang, it was all about “fate.” The owners explained that finding such an old house in Taipei is not only difficult but also unaffordable. After doing extensive research and sacrificing many weekends over several years, they finally got to know members of Ruifang Old Street through the introduction of the neighborhood chief. They rented this 60-year-old house. The owners feel that the name “Ruifang” is beautiful, and since it’s a necessary stop whether you’re exploring Jiufen’s old streets or releasing sky lanterns in Shifen, the area sees a large number of international tourists and has an excellent location, which they find quite appealing.

Everything is difficult at the start, and they soon realized just how tough it would be—especially in Ruifang. Frequent rain and the small scale of their project meant construction crews often didn’t prioritize them. The four uncles often had to help the cement workers carry sand, bricks, and stones themselves. Fortunately, after a busy year, they finally created what they had envisioned. Although Ruifang Old Street isn’t yet a must-visit tourist spot, the owners hope that one day Lick Lick Ice Cream will become one of Ruifang’s landmarks. This is the wish of many locals, including the Old Street Association and the neighborhood chief. Carrying everyone’s hopes and their own dreams, the four uncles continue to move forward.

▲Oops, dropped the ice cream ! A drooling dog statue and fallen ice cream on a chair are also part of the store’s charm. (Photo / Reposted fromLick Lick Ice Cream Official Fan Page)

The interior design was decided by two uncles with backgrounds in advertising and artistic temperaments. A dreamy-colored ice cream truck rolls into Lick Lick Ice Cream, and the playful, eye-catching decor inside immediately grabs attention. There are seats at the entrance, where a drooling dog statue gazes at fallen ice cream decorations, plus a large dog mural painted outside. Travelers to Ruifang are sure to leave their mark here and take away some memories.

▲The super cute ice cream truck and interior design attract many visitors to take photos. (Photo / IG@doouble23Provided. Please do not repost without permission to avoid copyright infringement.)

▲It’s hard not to be drawn in by the giant dog mural, whether you’re just passing by. (Photo / IG@tiffanyuitingProvided. Please do not repost without permission to avoid copyright infringement.)

All ice cream at Lick Lick Ice Cream is handmade, with only three flavors available each day. Once sold out, they switch to other flavors. The flavors change seasonally, using fresh local fruits. No chemical additives or artificial flavorings are used in the ice cream. Though the production process is complex, it’s clear the shop puts great care into offering customers the best, safest, and most delicious ice cream possible. Even the cones are baked by staff daily, rolled while hot for a crispy texture. The combination of a crunchy cone and naturally delicious ice cream keeps things simple but full of authentic flavor.

▲The ice cream cones are baked fresh daily by the staff—crispy and refreshing. (Photo / IG@bubblesdiaryProvided. Please do not repost without permission to avoid copyright infringement.)

To get through the winter, in addition to continuing to sell seasonal flavors like sesame, red bean, and longan, Lick Lick Ice Cream will also introduce hot drinks and warm food. Staying true to their principles, no chemical additives will be used, and items will only go on sale if they taste good.

When you have time to stroll through Ruifang Old Street, be sure to grab a natural, delicious handcrafted ice cream and enjoy the vibrant charm of the area.
 

Lick Lick Ice Cream Lick Shop
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Address: No. 33, Ruifang Street, Ruifang District, New Taipei City
Phone: 02-24978428
Business Hours: Monday to Sunday, 10:30 AM – 6:00 PM