Mango ice: A luxurious shaved ice filled with mangoes
"Mango ice"
Taiwan is full of healthy, colorful, and exquisite sweets, but the king of summer sweets is mango ice. Mango ice is mango shaved ice, and as the name suggests, it is a luxurious dish that allows you to enjoy the harmony of fluffy Taiwanese shaved ice and rich mango flavor. During the mango season from April to October, you can enjoy luxurious mango ice made with fresh mangoes all over Taiwan. Of course, the appeal of Taiwanese shaved ice is that you can enjoy a variety of toppings, not just mango, such as strawberries, tapioca, and mung beans. Try your hand at a number of shaved ice specialty shops and cafes and find your favorite delicious shaved ice!
Aiyu: A jelly with a refreshing flavor and bouncy texture
Aiyu (IU)
Taiwan, with its wide variety of desserts, is the "sweets paradise" of Asia. Among them, "Aiyu", which is often seen at night markets in the summer, attracts many people with its "good taste". "Aiyu" is a jelly made from a fruit related to the fig, and is a natural sweet that does not use agar or gelatin. It is usually enjoyed with refreshing lemon syrup, and the bouncy texture and subtle acidity are very refreshing! It is also recommended as a palate cleanser when enjoying eating at food stalls.
Zhen Zu Naicha: The world-famous bubble tea
Pearl milk tea
Among the many local Taiwanese sweets, one that is loved all over the world is "Pearl Milk Tea". Said to have originated in Taichung, "Pearl Milk Tea" is now a beloved sweet drink in Chinatowns around the world as bubble tea (or pearl milk tea). The unique flavor of the rich milk tea combined with the chewy tapioca pearls is now familiar even in Japan. There are many cafe chains and drink stands that are popular for bubble tea scattered all over Taiwan. You can enjoy it at a cheaper price than in Japan, so be sure to give it a try!
Moo Gua Nyuonai: A drink that lets you enjoy the rich harmony of papaya and milk
"Mogu yunionai"
Taiwan has a wide range of drink culture, from traditional oolong tea to bubble tea, and is also home to a wide variety of tropical fruit drink desserts. The most representative of these is Moo Gua Nyoonai, made with fresh papaya and milk.
The rich combination of papaya and milk is perfect for recharging your body after the heat. "Mooguanyuonai" is not only satisfying to drink but also rich in vitamins, so it is recommended to try it for breakfast as well as dessert time. Another fun point is that there are various variations such as watermelon and milk and mango and milk.
Douhua (Bean pudding): A traditional sweet with a mild flavor that is also popular in Japan.
Douhua (Bean pudding)
Among the many Taiwanese sweets, douhua is a traditional flavor loved by people of all ages and genders. Made by solidifying soy milk with nigari and topping it with syrup and beans, douhua has a simple, healthy and gentle taste. There are many traditional douhua specialty shops scattered throughout Taiwan, and the texture, syrup flavor, and toppings vary from shop to shop. With a light taste and low calories, you can eat it as many times as you like! Why not enjoy a douhua tour in search of your favorite dish?
Mango, lychee, passion fruit, etc.: Enjoy the "fresh fruits" grown in the tropical soil.
Speaking of tropical fruits, mangoes
Taiwan is home to many famous sweets, but one of the best parts of traveling to the country is encountering tropical fruits nurtured by the rich tropical nature. There is a huge variety of fruits to enjoy in Taiwan, including pineapple, the beloved fruit that symbolizes Taiwan, mangoes that can be enjoyed from April to October (in season from June to July), juicy lychees in season in early summer, passion fruit, papaya, and dragon fruit with their appealing tropical flavors. Seasonal fruits can be purchased at fruit and vegetable shops in the market, as well as at supermarkets! Compared to Japan, they can be enjoyed at surprisingly reasonable prices, so be greedy and try "this! that!"
Comment
After tasting the exquisite Taiwanese sweets, we recommend experiencing Taiwan's traditional "tea culture." In addition to the famous high-quality oolong teas "Dongding Oolong Tea" and "Baihu Oolong Tea," there is also "High Mountain Tea" produced in Kochi, which is over 1,000 meters above sea level, and "Sun and Moon Black Tea" made with Assam tea leaves! There is no doubt that Taiwanese sweets will be even more delicious when enjoyed with a refreshing tea!
■ Related articles from Taiwan
*Some content was updated on September 20, 2019.
The contents published are accurate at the time of publication and are subject to change.
