Taichung’s popular drink shop with long queues—famous for its signature silky smooth milk foam!

Text and photos byOrange Dog Loves Candy

In recent years, when traveling abroad, it’s not uncommon to spot familiar bubble tea shop signs at street corners. What used to be uniquely Taiwanese has now gradually become a global trend and continues to grow in popularity.

But to be honest, after trying pearl milk tea in Japan, lemon dodo in Hong Kong, and coconut jelly milk tea in China, my only takeaway is that Taiwanese bubble tea—the originator—is still the best. Perhaps it’s due to different regional preferences, as the sugar and ice ratios abroad just don’t hit the mark, let alone the flavor differences. Yet, in Taiwan, despite the seemingly saturated beverage market, new players keep emerging every year, often setting new trends. Hidden within Asia University in Wufeng is this 【Shijue · Fine Craft · Light Drink】. Though it’s quite far from downtown Taichung, it has become a highly popular new drink spot locally, with almost daily queues. I was invited here recently and took the chance to explore Asia University while also trying to figure out why this shop attracts so many customers.

The most famous tourist spots in Wufeng area are undoubtedly Asia University, Lin Family Mansion and Garden, Full Circle Church, and Asia Modern Art Museum. This 【Shijue · Fine Craft · Light Drink】 is conveniently located not far from the entrance of Asia University. Its eye-catching neon green color makes it hard to miss. The main entrance is designed in the shape of a “home,” which I think reflects the design concept of creating a warm, homely atmosphere.

The interior uses wooden elements to create a sense of warmth, but the main design concept is the exposed concrete walls, likely inspired by the nearby Tadao Ando Art Museum. As a result, the overall ambiance feels more refined than your typical bubble tea shop—there aren’t excessive pop-up fonts or cluttered posters on the walls, and the space exudes a clean and comfortable vibe.

Located near Asia University, this area is a prime hotspot for student foot traffic, so it’s not like Shijue is the only drink shop around. But from when I arrived around 2 PM until I left after 6 PM, there was always a steady stream of people lining up to buy drinks. Interestingly, the drink preparation area is separated from the ordering counter—a rare design choice compared to most bubble tea shops.

However, there’s still a delivery window where staff can pass the finished drinks to the front. This setup also makes the space feel cleaner. The order volume is quite high, so the back area is always bustling. Even in the afternoon, you can see fresh fruits being sliced and prepped.

Whether it’s grapefruit or oranges, all the fruits are freshly prepared in-house, ensuring visible freshness. They don’t rely on pre-made fruit jams or shortcuts. I believe the quality of fruit drinks is instantly noticeable when you taste their freshness!

Of course, the ever-sensitive topic of “milk brands” is worth mentioning, as it’s something any good drink shop should highlight. This place uses Gaogao Ranch fresh milk, which I’ve been drinking since childhood. The black tea milk from Kaohsiung is also made with this milk. How does it taste? Just look at how chubby I am now and you’ll know it must be good (just kidding)!

In addition, ingredients like Dajia taro, Tainong No. 57 organic sweet potatoes, and Pingtung Wandan milk red beans are also part of their selection. They combine their dedication to crafting quality drinks with the promotion of local Taiwanese ingredients, allowing everyone to enjoy the authentic flavors of Taiwan!

They offer a variety of drinks, including a budget-friendly original tea series starting at 25 NT$, with the highest-priced option being just 65 NT$. However, based on other blog reviews, it seems that their milk-based teas are their signature items, along with seasonal specials (like the fresh fruit series and thick-style series), which also reflect their commitment to using high-quality, genuine ingredients.

Most uniquely, their original tea can be “thickened”—for free, no less. For us older folks who love a stronger tea flavor (which is why I’m such a fan of Hong Kong’s milk tea and yuanyang), this thoughtful service is a big win!

【Milk Perfection Series │ Tieguanyin Pearl Milk Tea │ 60 NT$】
¬This is one of their most popular drinks. Originally priced at 55 NT$, adding pearls costs an extra 5 NT$. The top is completely covered with a generous layer of milk foam—I was momentarily puzzled about where the Tieguanyin tea went. Turns out, the “milk foam” is one of their signature features, and it’s incredibly smooth and silky. The shop says it takes high-quality milk to achieve such a velvety foam, paired with the chewy texture of caramel pearls.

The pearls are also sourced from a partner that makes handmade tapioca pearls. Over the past year, food safety concerns have affected pearl production, but pearls are an essential ingredient in bubble tea. To address health concerns, more shops are now making their own pearls, which has become a trend. The texture is great—not overly chewy, but with a soft bite that’s quite appealing. Shijue’s pearls are also caramel-soaked, so they look white but have a subtle caramel sweetness. With the first sip, you get the rich aroma of the milk foam, followed by the smoky fragrance of Tieguanyin tea, and then the pearls. The combination is refreshingly elegant. Many customers come in specifically for this drink!

【Thick-Style Series │ Thick-Style Taro Milk │ 65 NT$ │ Seasonal Limited】
¬Taro milk isn’t exactly rare, but it’s uncommon to find it topped with milk foam like this. The taro is freshly sliced and cooked in-house every day, then blended into taro paste (the blob you see on top—apologies for the unflattering photo, as I wasn’t sure how to best present the taro paste). The moment you take a sip, you’re hit with a rich, hearty taro flavor mixed with the creaminess of fresh milk, making it very filling. They use fresh taro from Dajia in Taichung. Due to seasonal availability, you can only enjoy this drink toward the end of winter. You can order it either cold or hot, each offering a different flavor profile. A hot taro milk in winter is especially comforting!

【Fruit Tea Series │ Fresh Grapefruit Green Tea │ 60 NT$】
¬You can clearly see the fruit pulp and pieces. As mentioned earlier, the fruits are freshly sliced and added directly to the tea. While many bubble tea shops offer fruit tea options, the difference lies in the proportion of fruit used. At Shijue, you can taste the fruit in every sip, from the first to the last, enjoying the fresh, juicy texture.

【Thick-Style Series │ Red Bean and Job’s Tears Milk │ 65 NT$】
¬I’m not sure if I’ve just rarely ordered red bean and job’s tears drinks at other shops, but do they usually blend the red beans into a paste? At Shijue, they mash a “large amount of red beans” into a paste and mix it with a certain ratio of fresh milk, so you immediately taste a “very rich” red bean flavor. They use large milk red beans from Wandan in Pingtung. The job’s tears are cooked until nice and soft, and they even go the extra mile to remove the seeds. Just like the taro milk, this drink is hearty and satisfying. I have to say, their thick-style series is definitely worth trying—and I think it tastes even better hot than cold!

【Milk Perfection Series │ Brown Sugar Sweet Potato Milk │ 60 NT$】
¬In a regular drink, you wouldn’t see all these chunks of sweet potato on top because they’re usually blended into the drink. The rich aroma of brown sugar adds a warm depth to the milk (even though it’s served cold), while the natural sweetness of the sweet potato hides within, creating a thick, concentrated flavor. It might taste a bit sweeter (since both brown sugar and sweet potato are inherently sweet), but it doesn’t feel cloying. That said, finishing a whole cup will definitely leave you feeling a little full!

【Fruit Tea Series │ Golden Diamond Pineapple Iced Tea │ 60 NT$】
¬Unlike the grapefruit green tea, pineapple isn’t easily added as fruit pulp. Instead, it’s cooked into pineapple puree, which retains the fruit’s aroma—similar to pineapple jam. The Golden Diamond pineapple used here isn’t as tart as pineapple cake, as the tea flavor balances it out, resulting in a sweet and fragrant taste.

(The night view of Shijue looks even more beautiful—the warm lights glowing brightly!) Although Wufeng is a bit farther from downtown Taichung, it’s quickly accessible via Highway 74. If you’re looking for a great weekend getaway, Wufeng is a fantastic choice. Asia University has vast grounds, the Tadao Ando Art Museum showcases unique architectural beauty, Guangfu New Village offers a fresh take on old military dependents’ village culture, and attractions like Full Circle Church and Lin Family Mansion and Garden are all unique local highlights. Of course, sightseeing is one thing—but don’t forget to stop by this quaint 【Shijue · Fine Craft · Light Drink】 to try their thoughtfully crafted fresh milk and thick-style drinks. Experience this hidden gem in Wufeng that draws daily crowds, and appreciate their dedication to promoting local ingredients!

[Shijue Fine Craft Light Drink – Asia University | Wufeng District]
◎ Address: No. 5, Liufeng 6th St., Wufeng District, Taichung City (at the main entrance of Asia University)
◎ Phone: 04-23333688
◎ Business Hours: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
◎ Special Note: Open 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM on weekends, delivery service available

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