Taiyi Milk King

Review

Taiyi Milk King sits on Xinsheng South Road opposite the National Taiwan University campus. Opened in 1956 and nearing 70 years, it is Gongguan's most iconic shaved-ice and rice-ball shop. Many NTU students and older Taipei residents have memories of eating here, and in recent years visitors from Hong Kong, Japan and Korea come specifically to try it.

The signature is red bean soup with rice balls; the beans are Wandan red beans from Pingtung, slow-simmered into a fragrant sweet soup. The small rice balls are chewy, and there are larger ones filled with sesame or peanut, plus savoury pork versions, with optional fermented rice wine and egg. In summer milk ice takes centre stage: eight-treasure milk ice comes with red beans, candied taro, mung beans, peanuts, nata de coco and grass jelly, while mango panna cotta ice and strawberry mango milk ice are seasonal. Portions are big enough for two to share.

Fans praise the handmade rice balls with chewy skins and generous fillings, the tender red beans and the late hours that make it a good supper stop; some single out the smooth sesame filling. Critics say prices are a bit higher than ordinary ice shops, the overall flavour of the soups and ice is average, and the red bean soup is too sweet for some. Around Winter Solstice and Lantern Festival the queues are long, even for takeaway raw rice balls.

Most sources list daily hours of 11:00–23:00 with no regular closing day, though it may close over Lunar New Year; times vary slightly, so check before you go. A Japanese travel outlet lists strawberry mango milk ice at NT$200, and chilled raw rice balls to take home cost about NT$100–250. It is a 6–10 minute walk from Gongguan MRT station; parking is hard, so take the MRT or cycle.

It suits people strolling around NTU or wanting dessert after an evening out, and locals buying rice balls to cook at home. In winter, first-timers should try small rice balls in red bean soup or sesame rice balls with fermented rice wine; in summer, share an eight-treasure milk ice or seasonal mango ice. If you want takeaway rice balls before a festival, avoid the early-evening rush.