Shuang Chuan Black Tea

Review

Shuang Chuan Black Tea is tucked into Lane 131 off Zhongzheng Road, a few minutes' walk from Hayashi Department Store and the Tainan Art Museum. A 2023 report said it had been going for nearly seventy years, making it one of the old names for Tainan's foamed black tea. A poem written by the owner hangs in the shop, stressing that the tea is brewed with time and care; visitors also note that he writes a new verse for each zodiac year and refuses to open on Sundays, a touch of old-school character.

The menu has one item, black tea, and you only choose hot or cold and the sweetness. According to a travel site, a cup costs NT$25 and there is a NT$100 large bottle for carrying around, which visitors reckon equals about four small cups. The tea is dark and aromatic with a clear bitterness when unsweetened; the owner suggests at least a little sugar to balance sweetness and astringency, while some prefer quarter or half sugar with less ice.

Fans say the tea has a distinctive roasted note quite unlike chain bubble tea shops, the price is fair, and it is a regular pick-me-up while exploring the West Central District. Criticism mostly says it is not cheap for a plain black tea, the bitterness takes getting used to, and because the shop is in a lane, first-timers often circle a few times before finding it.

Hours are 11:00 to 18:00, closed Saturdays and Sundays, so weekend visitors to the district should take note. The shop is small and mainly takeaway, with almost no space to sit. The lane opens onto Zhongzheng Road near Hayashi Department Store and the art museum, where car parking is hard, so linking sights on foot is easiest. Sources do not mention payment methods, so cash is safer.

It suits those who like straight black tea rather than loaded bubble drinks, and anyone visiting Hayashi Department Store or the art museum on a weekday. For a first order, try a little sugar with less ice to taste the bitter-sweet balance; if you are out sightseeing all day, the large bottle is the best value and easy to share among a few people.