A must-try at the mansion: Chen San Ding’s black sugar pearls in fresh milk – a rich, chewy, creamy dream flavor with the perfect combo of black sugar, pearls, and milk

Text and photos byOrange Dog Loves Candy

When it comes to black sugar pearl fresh milk, I think 【Chen San Ding Black Sugar Frog Fresh Milk】 in Taipei’s Gongguan area is probably the most frequently mentioned famous shop. The combination of black sugar, pearls, and fresh milk has been popular for quite a while, and there have always been popular shops serving it. Whether you browse discussion threads from the south to the north of Taiwan, you’re bound to hear someone mention the name of Chen San Ding in Gongguan. That really made me wonder just how good it could be to draw such crowds. On this day, taking advantage of a break in the rain, I headed to Gongguan. It wasn’t long after I got out of the MRT station before I saw the long queue at Chen San Ding’s shop entrance – apparently, it’s like this almost every day, and the crowds on weekends are even more astonishing. Since I was already there, I joined the queue, ordered a drink, and gave it a try.

This intersection has several long-established popular stalls that often have queues. One is 【Chen San Ding Black Sugar Frog Fresh Milk】, and the other is 【Lan’s Gua Bao】. They happen to be right across from each other at the intersection. Having an afternoon tea with one of each is just perfect. Getting here is easy – just take the MRT to Gongguan Station, then exit from Exit 4 and walk along Roosevelt Road.

Then turn into Lane 316. I believe you’ll know you’re there when you see two lines of people queuing up from quite a distance away at the lane entrance. But today, I was purely curious about just how good Chen San Ding really is – especially since my friends who came along also said they’ve been drinking it for years.

In this area, no matter how old or new the shops come and go, Chen San Ding’s legendary queue has continued uninterrupted for many years. Countless people have been drinking here since their student days and carried on into their working lives. People from all over Taiwan remember its great taste – that’s truly not easy to achieve. On this day, which was a weekday, there was already a small queue, and it was raining, yet it still managed to attract so many people. I can’t imagine how many would crowd this small lane if it were a weekend or a sunny day. Today was pretty lucky for me. (I’ve seen the longest queue stretch from the right side of the shop, down the sidewalk along Lane 316 – at least 40 people long.)

The semi-transparent open counter gives a clear view of the making process, especially the ‘brand of fresh milk’ – something everyone pays attention to. At Chen San Ding, they use Guangquan fresh milk. I think no drink shops dare to use Linfengying fresh milk anymore, right? XD

Typically, stalls that sell black sugar pearl fresh milk don’t offer too many items, because just the main few bestsellers keep them super busy. Chen San Ding is no exception – they seem to have about fourteen items. But the most popular one is the ‘Black Sugar Frog Milk’, which costs 35 NTD per cup. That’s not expensive for Taipei, but it’s only about the size of a medium cup from regular bubble tea shops.

It seems like you can’t adjust the sweetness level when ordering, but you can request less ice or no ice. Despite the queue, it doesn’t take too long to get your drink. Compared to the slow service at Guo Jie Tea House in Taichung, Chen San Ding is quick and efficient. Queuing up here is actually a pleasant experience. It probably takes no more than ten minutes to get your drink (I think even on weekends, with more people, it wouldn’t exceed 15 minutes). Really thoughtful and impressive.

【Signature Black Sugar Frog Milk │ 35 NTD per cup │ Recommended: less ice】
Approximately one-third of the cup is filled with a generous portion of tapioca pearls. The black sugar and fresh milk are not mixed together at first – the normal way to drink it is to shake the cup a bit after getting it, then insert the straw, so the black sugar and milk mix evenly. Don’t be like me, a beginner and total amateur, who was so eager to drink that I just popped the straw in right away – then you can’t shake it. The fresh milk doesn’t seem watered down, and the ratio of black sugar is quite generous – you can taste it in every sip from beginning to end.

As for the pearls, the texture isn’t overly chewy. When you first bite, it feels chewy, but actually it’s soft and tender. Everyone has different definitions of what makes a tapioca pearl ‘chewy’, but I personally prefer this slightly chewy, soft kind of texture. Overall, the pearls are mildly tender, paired perfectly with the creaminess of the milk and the richness of the black sugar. The balance is just right – it’s genuinely delicious. If we compare it to Guo Jie in Taichung, which caused quite a queue (since lots of people online have compared them), they both have their strengths.

The pearls at Chen San Ding have a better texture than those at Guo Jie. Guo Jie’s are softer, while Chen San Ding’s black sugar flavor is just right. Guo Jie’s black sugar is cooked until it gets a slightly burnt taste. For me, I prefer Chen San Ding much more – no wonder the queues are so long. Of course, Chen San Ding also offers other drinks with combinations like mung bean, grass jelly, lemon, and herbal jelly. Feel free to try them if you’re interested.

There are already countless food blog posts about Chen San Ding, so my review is probably just adding a little more praise. No matter whether the reviews are positive or negative, its status is practically that of a must-visit attraction. Because no matter how the surrounding shops change over time, it continues to maintain its daily reputation for crazy-long queues. Whether you love black sugar pearl fresh milk or are just curious to try something new, I’d recommend stopping by if you’re in Gongguan.

Chen San Ding Black Sugar Frog Fresh Milk – Flagship Store
Address: No. 2, Lane 8, Lane 316, Section 3, Roosevelt Road, Zhongzheng District, Taipei City (about a 5-minute walk from Exit 4 of Gongguan Station on the Songshan-Xindian Line of the Taipei Metro)
Phone: 02-23677781
Business Hours: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Tip: Queues are a daily occurrence – just patiently wait in line

Orange Dog Loves Candy Blog　Orange Dog Loves Candy Facebook Fan Page