A-Sai Hand-Stirred Ice

Not enough ratingsNT$60–130 / per personDesserts & shaved ice

10:00–20:30Yilan Su'ao Township

Long-standingLocal favoriteBudget

VerdictHand-stirred ice by Nanfang'ao harbour, rich peanut ice on the cheap

A long-running hand-stirred ice stall beside Nanfang'ao's Golden Mazu Temple. The family started out carrying ice on shoulder poles and claims a century of history, renaming it A-Sai in 2023. Peanut 'three flowers' ice and pearl milk ice cost around NT$60–65, with views of the fishing port.

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Review

A-Sai Hand-Stirred Ice is on Jiangxia Road in Nanfang'ao, Su'ao, right by the Golden Mazu Temple near the harbour. Yam's travel site tells its story: the owner's great-grandfather carried shaken ice on a shoulder pole through the streets, his grandfather switched to a two-wheeled cart near the temple selling an improved hand-stirred fluffy ice, and the family later settled into a stall on the seafood street, only renaming it A-Sai in early 2023. Supertaste calls it a century-old shop dating from 1923; sources differ slightly on the year.

The name refers to hand stirring, and the shop insists on beating its fluffy ice by hand for a fine, creamy texture. The menu is split into hand-stirred ice, shaved ice and juices. According to Yam, the signature 'three flowers' ice is NT$65 and centres on peanut flavour; tapioca pearl milk ice is NT$60; three-ball shaved ice with taro balls, pearls and crunchy balls is NT$65; and mango milk ice is NT$130. Supertaste also mentions moon-viewing ice, plain ice topped with a raw egg, and taro ball ice.

Diners most often praise the fine texture, the rich peanut aroma of the three-flower ice that is not cloying, the low prices, and the pleasure of eating outdoors while watching the fishing port; some recommend the milk-and-fruit and plum flavours. Complaints include an old-fashioned sweetness some find too much, ice that comes pre-mixed so you cannot adjust the flavour, no electronic payment, and mostly outdoor seating.

Yam lists opening hours as 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. daily; the shop also notes it closes earlier in winter and suggests calling on rainy days. Check prices on site and bring cash. Traffic around Nanfang'ao harbour is heavy, so park in the harbour parking area and walk over, combining the visit with Nantian Temple and the seafood street.

It suits anyone finishing a seafood meal in Nanfang'ao who wants a cold treat, and travellers who like traditional ices or unusual ways of eating them. First-timers should try the signature three-flower ice, while texture fans can go for the three-ball shaved ice. If you are adventurous, try the moon-viewing ice, best eaten by the harbour on a hot day.