Lao Zhou Cold & Hot Drinks

Review

Lao Zhou Cold & Hot Drinks is on Sanmin Street in Kaohsiung's Sanmin Market, close to Sanfeng Central Street and Kaohsiung Station. Food media report that it has been open since 1958, making it one of the oldest ice shops in the market, and bloggers often call its warm mochi the best around. Locals have grown up with this old-style dessert shop.

Its most famous item is warm mochi, made to order, soft and slightly chewy, coated in peanut or sesame powder, at about NT$20 each. In summer there are shaved ices such as eight-treasure ice and roasted flour ice with plentiful, customizable toppings; in cooler weather there is red bean rice-ball soup, mixed rice-ball soup, peanut soup and rice porridge. The rice-ball soup uses small plain rice balls with creamy red beans and is moderately sweet.

Diners praise the soft, sweet mochi, shaved ice with lots of toppings that isn't cloying, and fair prices that make one bowl satisfying; some return in winter just for the hot rice balls. Complaints focus on blunt staff, an unclear ordering and payment process, long waits at peak times, and a basic setting with fans but no air conditioning.

Hours are about 10:30 to 23:30, late enough for an after-market or late-night stop. Food media mention closure on the 17th day of each lunar month, which map listings do not show, so check before going. There is a minimum charge and it is cash only; expect about NT$50 per person, for dine-in or takeaway. Weekend afternoons are busier.

It suits anyone exploring Sanfeng Central Street or Sanmin Market who needs a break, or who wants traditional ice and hot sweet soups. First-timers should get one peanut and one sesame mochi, add a shared eight-treasure ice in summer, or switch to mixed rice-ball soup in winter. To avoid crowds, skip weekend afternoons.