Shun Xing Taro Ice

Review

Shun Xing Taro Ice sits at No. 2-7, Section 2, Zhongyang Road in Wuqi District, directly opposite Wuqi Zhongzheng Elementary School and near the Wuqi branch of Tungs' Hospital. Founded in 1960, it has been running for more than 60 years and is a familiar name to locals along the coastal side of Taichung. Business Today lists it among traditional old-brand ice makers, describing a plain interior, friendly prices and a place many regulars remember from childhood.

The range is wide. Popsicles come in flavors such as longan with sticky rice, red bean milk, peanut, plum, pineapple and passion fruit, and there are milk popsicles too. Taro ice is made in small cubes from Dajia taro and is creamy with a slight graininess. There are also boxed shaved snow ice, old-style ice cream cakes and the hamburger ice sandwich, which few shops still make by hand. It sandwiches caramel milk ice cream and raisins between thin crisp wafers, and bloggers describe it as milky, lightly caramel, smooth and not overly sweet. The peanut popsicle has visible bits of nut, and the longan one carries a strong dried-longan aroma. The pineapple snow ice holds plenty of real pineapple and has an old-fashioned champagne-soda flavor; it is hard straight from the freezer, so let it soften a little first.

Bloggers generally praise the low prices, honest ingredients and nostalgic flavors, and many regulars buy whole bags to take home. The drawbacks are mostly about the setting: the shop is basically a counter, seating is simple, there is no air conditioning and the road runs right alongside. Sources differ on how much indoor seating there is, and street parking is hard to find.

A 2020 report listed the hamburger ice at NT$25, a cup of ice cream at NT$35, milk popsicles at NT$18 and snow ice at NT$30, with popsicles also sold by weight from NT$160 per catty. A 2025 blog gives the hamburger ice at NT$35 and taro ice at three for NT$30, so prices have risen. It closes on Mondays, and recent information gives hours of 10:00 to 17:30. Cash only; delivery is available (call for shipping fees), and ice cream cakes usually need to be ordered ahead. Taichung Bus 285 to the Wuqi Zhongzheng Elementary School stop leaves you a minute or two away on foot. The shop also asks visitors not to photograph other customers.

It suits anyone passing through Wuqi or the Taichung Port area in search of old-fashioned ice treats. On a first visit, start with a hamburger ice and then pick a few popsicles; to share at home, buy them by the catty.