5Miyahara
Central Dist. · Desserts & shaved ice
Nanmen Bao's Charcoal Almond Tea
BreakfastLong-standingLocal favorite
VerdictEighty-year charcoal almond tea, best with egg yolk and a dough stick
A roadside stall by the Nanmen Roundabout said to have run for more than eighty years. Almond tea is simmered over charcoal and served in steel cups, and locals like to add egg yolk and dip fried dough sticks; it opens around 6 a.m. and packs up by 10.
Review
Nanmen Bao's Charcoal Almond Tea sets up at No. 191 Minzu Road in the East District, on the arcade and roadside near the Nanmen Roundabout. Supertaste says it has been operating for more than eighty years, and Mirror Media lists the charcoal almond tea at Nanmen Roundabout among the local flavors you only catch if you rise early. The stall sits right outside the family home, with a few low tables and a charcoal stove, and many Chiayi residents have drunk it since childhood.
The almond tea is slowly heated over charcoal and served in steel cups for NT$25. Locals recommend adding egg yolk: the owner first stirs the yolk with salt, then pours in the hot tea, making it richer and less sweet, for NT$10 more. Another classic is a set of almond tea with a fried dough stick, torn into pieces and soaked in the tea. There is no menu; just sit down and tell the owner what you want.
Fans love the old-fashioned charcoal method and the feel of eating breakfast at the roadside, and many consider almond tea with egg yolk and a dough stick the quintessential Chiayi morning. Critics find it too sweet or less aromatic than expected, some foreign visitors point out that it is apricot-kernel tea rather than Western almond milk, and others mind the basic roadside seating and hygiene.
Supertaste lists hours of 6 to 10 a.m., Tuesday to Sunday, closed Mondays, while Google shows a 5:30 a.m. start; sources differ, so check before you go. The tea can sell out early on busy days, so arriving before 9 a.m. is wise. Seats are few, and most people sit on low stools or drink standing. Prices vary slightly between sources, with the dough-stick add-on listed at NT$15 or NT$20. The area is an older part of the East District, and a scooter is the easiest way to park.
Good for early risers who want a taste of old-school Chiayi breakfast. First-timers can order almond tea with egg yolk plus a dough stick for dipping; if you are wary of sweetness, sip it plain first before deciding on the egg. Expect about NT$30 to NT$60 per person for a warming breakfast, then carry on to the East Market or other snacks around Nanmen Roundabout.
Why go
- Almond tea is NT$25, egg yolk adds NT$10
- The yolk is mixed with salt first, so it tastes less sweet
- Tear a dough stick and soak it in the cup
- No menu, just tell the owner your order
- Closed Mondays and done by 10 a.m.
- Arrive before 9 a.m. to avoid selling out
What people say
Liked
- The slow charcoal method is a rare old-school touch
- Adding egg yolk makes it rich and smooth
- Drinking it at the roadside feels like old Chiayi
Complaints
- Some find it too sweet
- The almond aroma can fall short of expectations
- Roadside seating is basic and hygiene is debated
Summarized from the common views of bloggers, media and diners; not direct quotes.
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Location
嘉義市東區民族路191號Directions ↗
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Sources
This page is compiled from the articles below and rewritten in our own words. Hours and prices change, so check before you go.
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