Jiang Ji Osmanthus Honey (Original Shop)

Review

Jiang Ji Osmanthus Honey stands on Wenhua Road in Nanzhuang Township, inside Osmanthus Lane, the best-known stretch of Nanzhuang Old Street, and bills itself as the original shop. Osmanthus grows in the Nanzhuang hills, and the lane is lined with stalls selling osmanthus syrup, rice balls and egg rolls; Jiang Ji is the one most often named by the media. Reports say its iced rice balls won a national product gold award and were chosen among Taiwan's top ten iced desserts, and the shop was renovated in 2025.

The signature iced rice balls sit on chunks of fresh fruit such as apple and watermelon, topped with chilled rice balls and the shop's handmade osmanthus syrup, with tiny petals visible. Coverage says the juicy fruit and floral syrup complement each other, and a bowl is big enough for two to share; there is also a hot osmanthus rice ball version. Jars of osmanthus syrup are sold to take home and mix with water or drizzle on desserts.

Fans say the osmanthus aroma is rich without being too sweet, the fruit is fresh, the rice balls springy, and the seating area clean and comfortable. Critics feel it costs more than ordinary rice balls, that the rice balls themselves are plain black sesame ones, and that the hot version takes over ten minutes; weekend crowds on the old street mean queues and a hunt for seats.

It opens around 9 a.m.; weekdays it closes about 5:30 p.m. and weekends around 7 p.m., with no closing day reported. Sources vary slightly on closing times, so follow the shop's notices. The lane is packed on weekends, so mornings or late afternoons are better. Parking near the old street is difficult; use a car park on the edge and walk in.

Ideal for anyone strolling Nanzhuang Old Street who wants a true osmanthus dessert or a gift. In summer, share a bowl of iced rice balls; in winter, switch to the hot version. If you like the flavour, take home a jar of syrup to mix with iced water or pour over tofu pudding or yogurt.