Fourth Credit Union

Review

Taichung Fourth Credit Union is at 72 Zhongshan Road in Central District, about a five-to-eight-minute walk from Taichung Station and three to five minutes from Miyahara. The Dawn Cake group turned this half-century-old bank into an ice cream and dessert shop, opening in 2013. Some exterior tiles were deliberately removed to expose the reinforced concrete; the giant vault door at the front is decorative, with the real entrance beside it. The price board mimics a currency-exchange board, each ground-floor dessert counter has its own neon sign, the second floor turns old teller windows into bar seating, and the third floor has more seats, all very photogenic.

Ice cream flavors include chocolate (from 43% to 100%), fruit, tea, coffee, yogurt and cheese. Bloggers recommend the chocolate for its richness and moderate bitterness; the tea flavor "Longing Always Comes After the Breakup" uses oolong, plum and honey, and "Cheers to the Past" blends osmanthus, rose, mint and Tieguanyin. Some found the signature vanilla milk light on milk flavor. One writer felt the texture is less creamy than mass-produced ice cream and that the main Miyahara shop is closer to gelato. There is also Fengren ice (ice cream on top, red beans in the middle, shaved ice below), waffles and drinks.

Praise goes to the seating, no time limit or minimum spend, shorter lines than Miyahara and the fun old-bank space. Complaints are that it is not cheap, the ground floor gets crowded, the Fengren ice melts fast and comes with paper spoons rather than straws, and the gift selection is smaller than at the main shop. Prices and toppings differ by source: a 2022 report lists NT$100 for one scoop, NT$180 for two and NT$255 for three, with a free topping per scoop, while a 2025 article gives about NT$90, 170 and 225 with toppings sold separately for NT$20–50, so check before you go.

To order, find a seat first, then order at the ice cream, waffle and tea counters and collect with a buzzer; reservations are not accepted, and you can taste flavors for free first. Hours are about 10:00 to 21:00. Parking is available at the Miyahara paid lot (one minute on foot), the Jiguang Street lot or the Jianguo Road multistory lot; by bus, get off at First Plaza or Lüchuan West.

It suits visitors near Taichung Station who want to sit and enjoy ice cream slowly, and anyone with elders or children. Taste first, then pick two scoops; eat Fengren ice as soon as it arrives, and buy souvenirs back at Miyahara.