Nantun Old Street Roasted Sweet Potato

Review

Nantun Old Street Roasted Sweet Potato sits at the junction of Wanhe Road Section 1 and Nantun Road Section 2, right next to Sanjiao Street Teahouse, and its bright yellow sign is easy to spot. One roundup says it opened in 1991, and a report says it has scented the old street for about thirty years; Nantun Old Street is one of Taichung's earliest developed areas and is nicknamed Taichung's First Street. Large roasting urns and baskets of sweet potatoes stand at the door, making it a familiar snack stop for strollers.

The shop uses only Tainung No. 57 sweet potatoes, slow-roasted in large urns and sold by weight, so you can pick the size. Reports describe golden flesh that is sweet and fluffy with a faint charcoal aroma, turning chewier once chilled. The honey sweet potatoes are coated in malt syrup, soft and chewy outside and fluffy inside with a slightly tangy finish, and you can buy peanut powder to dip them in; a large box costs NT$100. Sweet potato milk is NT$35 and not cloying; starfruit juice is NT$30 small, NT$40 large or NT$65 bottled, sweet and tart with an appetising salty note. Old-style snacks such as sweet potato chips, puffed rice, prawn crackers, fried dough twists and peanut brittle are NT$40 a pack.

Several write-ups recommend the roasted sweet potatoes for their fluffy, low-fibre flesh, while one blogger's favourite was the honey sweet potato, which a companion nearly finished alone. The starfruit juice is described as the best palate cleanser after snacking, and older visitors especially love its old-fashioned taste. The most common caution is that the honey sweet potato is very sweet, so those who avoid sugar should take only a little; there is little other criticism.

Cash only. Hours vary by source, with opening given as 8:00, 9:00 or 10:30 and closing around 19:00, so check before going. The old street is narrow and short-term parking is difficult; reports suggest arriving by scooter, or parking at the Wanhe Temple car park and walking over after visiting the temple.

It suits anyone strolling Nantun Old Street who wants a snack to eat on the go, or a box of honey sweet potatoes to chill at home as dessert. First-timers can try a roasted sweet potato with a starfruit juice; for a gift, choose the large box of honey sweet potatoes.