Fen Yuan Bo Tapioca

Review

Fen Yuan Bo sets up on Daming Road beside Lukang's First Market. Supertaste says it has been open since 1950 and is now run by the second generation, still cooking tapioca pearls the traditional way, making it one of the oldest dessert stalls around the market. Commenters on a Dcard Lukang food thread also recommend it and mention a new shop on Zhongshan Road.

The stall focuses only on tapioca. Reports describe the pearls as soft and chewy, closer to the old-fashioned style than the firm, bouncy pearls common today. Cups range from small and large to extra-large; a large is NT$30, cheap by tourist-area standards. Sugar-free pearls are also available, so those who dislike sweetness can set their own level or pair them with other desserts.

Praise from diners and media centers on three things: a taste over seventy years old, coin-level prices, and pearls that are soft without sticking to the teeth. Sources say almost nothing about other toppings or drinks, so the choice is narrow and those wanting lots of toppings may find it plain. Reviews are also few, mostly brief mentions in market snack roundups.

It trades only from morning to just past noon, roughly 6:30 am to 1 pm, and closes on Mondays, so arriving at the old street in the afternoon means missing it. The address is listed as in front of No. 37 Daming Road, while one report places it on Gongyuan 1st Road near the market, so check a map on your first visit. Taiwan Pay is accepted. Sources disagree on the Zhongshan Road shop's hours, so confirm before going.

It suits people touring the First Market in the morning who want a cup of old-style tapioca to cool down after meat buns or vermicelli soup. A large cup is plenty; choose sugar-free if you dislike sweetness, or start with a small if you plan to graze at several stalls.