Drinks in Tainan Know No Limits—Give “Fever Watermelon” a Shot!

▲Fever Watermelon. (Photo/Bee Orange Fusion DiningProvided)

Reported by Reporter Li Zi Yi

In Tainan, where the weather is fantastic and the sun is shining bright, you’ll find a beverage shop every few steps. From milk tea and fruit juice to sparkling drinks, there’s something for everyone. Ranging from trendy “young meat” milk teas to vending machine-style drinks, the locals are full of creativity. Recently, the “Fever Watermelon” has made an appearance—a whole mini Shixia watermelon gets a syringe inserted, filled with milk, which is then slowly injected into the fruit. The process of giving the watermelon a shot looks hilariously kuso.

Bee Orange Fusion Dining, which has just opened in the past few days after a two-week trial sale, was originally two separate eateries—a brunch spot and a shaved ice shop. Because the two owners were good friends, they decided to merge their businesses, combining their strengths to open this fusion restaurant that serves Italian cuisine, brunch, juices, shaved ice, and cocktails. The interior has a cozy pub-like vibe, with low sofas adding a laid-back feel and a dartboard for some extra fun.

▲“Watermelon with Milk” uses three tubes of milk with one watermelon; “Watermelon with CC” pairs one tube of lemon juice with one watermelon.

The most popular item at the shop is the Fever Watermelon series, where syringes filled with fresh milk or lemon juice are injected into mini Shixia watermelons. Though the combinations may seem simple, they are surprisingly fun—and only 50–60 are made available each day. One of the owners, Mr. Li, explained that they use a unique method to prepare the watermelon, ensuring the flesh blends perfectly with the milk. He noted that simply injecting milk into a watermelon at home won’t deliver the same taste as theirs. What seems like a simple idea actually took around five or six months to develop, with trials involving various fruits—from tomatoes and dragon fruit to oranges and pineapples—not to mention the precise amount of milk used.

▲The super value-for-money mango shaved ice is enough for 2–3 people to enjoy.

▲The ultra-labor-intensive “confit crispy chicken,” which requires a full day of marination.

Mr. Xie, originally the owner of the shaved ice shop, put his knowledge of fruits and local farms to good use, driving his truck in the middle of the night to source the sweetest seasonal fruits such as mini Shixia watermelons from Xinhua and mangoes from Fangshan in Pingtung. Aside from the Fever Watermelon, the mango shaved ice is also a big hit, topped with handmade mango jam and fresh mango slices for an all-natural, hearty treat that can easily serve two or three people. Mr. Li, who once learned cooking from Italians, also recommends their signature dish, “confit crispy chicken,” which is marinated for nearly a day using six or seven kinds of Italian spices through a low-temperature curing process.

Bee Orange Fusion Dining

Address: No. 26, Section 1, Beimen Road, East District, Tainan City
Phone: 06 223 7969