Carnival Ice Shop

Review

Carnival Ice Shop is in the Xifang community of Xikou Village, Lieyu Township, the area travelers call Xifang Old Street. The shop is a converted old barbershop that keeps its retro look, and inside it is set up like an old general store full of nostalgic items, so visitors to Little Kinmen often stop here to take photos and eat shaved ice. Guides say the business is now in its third generation.

The signature is the taro waterfall ice: taro paste and brown sugar syrup are poured over shaved ice so the paste cascades down like a waterfall, and you can add rice balls, taro balls, sweet potato balls or red beans. Little Kinmen is famous for taro, and the fluffy, velvety paste is the star of the bowl. Besides the taro series there are flavors like peanut ice, and you can also order Kinmen-style drinks such as kaoliang milk tea.

Most diners love the nostalgic atmosphere and the friendly owner, saying the taro paste is not too sweet, the portions are large and eating ice on the second-floor balcony is relaxing. Some give a cooler verdict, finding that apart from the taro paste the toppings are much like shaved ice on Taiwan's main island and that the décor is more eye-catching than the food. Overall, it is an ice shop where the atmosphere adds a lot.

It opens roughly 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., with irregular Thursday closures; other days off are announced in the shop's social media stories, so check before you go. Diners mention a minimum spend of NT$60 per person, which is not high for a dessert shop. It sits in a small lane in the village, so a scooter from Jiugong Pier is the easiest way there, and it combines well with the nearby taro restaurant on the same route.

It suits Little Kinmen day-trippers looking for a rest stop and anyone who enjoys photographing retro scenes. Order a taro waterfall ice with taro balls or rice balls; two people can share a kaoliang milk tea as well. Summer afternoons get busy, so avoid the hours around noon for an easier time finding a seat.