Lao Chiang Black Tea Milk (Nantai Original Shop)

Review

Lao Chiang was founded in 1953 by brothers Chiang Han-yuan, Chiang Mao-keng and Chiang Han-sen. They first sold soy milk, black tea and mung bean soup, and on a doctor customer's suggestion created the signature black tea with fresh milk. No. 51 Nantai Road is the original shop, now run by the second generation; the brand has more than ten branches across Taiwan and is often called one of southern Taiwan's first round-the-clock businesses.

Several tea leaves are steeped for hours the old way, sweetened only with pure sugar and no flavourings, then cooled naturally rather than over ice. Mixed with fresh milk from a Kaohsiung dairy, the tea and milk stay balanced and smooth, earning the nickname latte of black teas. The classic pairing is ham and egg toast: buttered toast with crisp-edged ham, a runny egg and a dash of pepper. Mung bean milk, egg crepes and banana cake are also on offer.

Fans love that the tea is strong without bitterness, the milk ratio feels right and it is available even in the middle of the night, making it a must-try for visitors. Critics say the tea milk is too sweet with no sweetness options, the toast is small for the price, weekend queues form, and arcade seats are hard to get.

Sources disagree on hours: most reports and map listings say 24 hours, but one blogger recorded 7:30 a.m. to 3 a.m., so check before you go. Reported prices are NT$30 for black tea, NT$40 for black tea milk and NT$50 for ham and egg toast, while a later article lists a large tea milk at NT$65, so prices may have risen. The shop is at the corner of Zhongzheng and Nantai roads, about three minutes on foot from Formosa Boulevard MRT Station.

It suits breakfast, a late-night snack or a drink after Liuhe Night Market. First-timers should order black tea milk with the ham and egg toast and eat it while the yolk is warm; if you dislike sweet drinks, try plain black tea, or go for mung bean milk for something different.