5Miyahara
Central Dist. · Desserts & shaved ice
Wenwen Taro Ice
Local favoriteWorth the queue
VerdictRich Lanyu taro ice and flying fish plated mid-flight
A popular ice shop and casual eatery in Lanyu's Hongtou village that makes taro ice from Lanyu taro. The Wenwen special pairs taro ice with caramel mung bean slush, and the hot menu includes a fried flying fish set plated as if mid-flight; expect to wait.
Review
Wenwen Taro Ice is in Hongtou Village, Lanyu Township, a frequently recommended stop on the island's ring road. Besides ice it serves simple hot meals and sells postcards and handicrafts. Yam Travel, Supertaste and NOWnews all include it in their Lanyu food lists, describing it as affordable yet good quality for the island, and many travellers make it a regular break on their scooter loop.
The signature is taro ice made from Lanyu taro, and the favourite is the Wenwen special: taro ice with caramel mung bean slush, intensely taro-scented and rich without being cloying. Supertaste recorded the Wenwen special at NT$60, plus NT$10 for limited tapioca pearls, while another article lists it at NT$65, so sources differ. Hot dishes include a flying fish set at NT$200 and Southeast Asian chicken leg curry rice at NT$120; the fried flying fish is crisp and not greasy, plated with its fins spread as if in flight.
Fans rave about the dense, rich taro ice, with one calling it the best taro ice they have had in Taiwan, enjoy the playful flying fish presentation and find the lemon drinks refreshing. Critics say the flying fish is just ordinary fried fish and the sides are average, there are waits when it is busy, beer is not sold, and you clear your own dishes after eating.
Online listings show hours of about 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., with one saying 9 p.m.; one source says it closes on Thursdays while maps show it open daily, so check before you go. The ice and hot food menus have separate ordering and separate queues, so decide in advance. The upper floor has sea views but has been closed at times. Most visitors ride scooters around Lanyu, and you can park at the roadside out front.
It suits travellers who want to cool off on the ring road or try Lanyu taro and flying fish in one stop. Start with a Wenwen special and add the flying fish set if hungry; when it is busy, queue for ice first and eat it while waiting for the hot food. Shipping costs on the island make prices a little higher than on Taiwan's main island, which is normal.
Why go
- Wenwen special is about NT$60, rich in taro
- Flying fish set is NT$200, plated as if flying
- Ice and hot food are ordered in separate queues
- Expect waits; grab ice first
- No beer sold; clear your own dishes
- Day off varies by source; confirm first
What people say
Liked
- Dense, rich taro ice
- Fun flying fish presentation and not greasy
- Refreshing lemon drinks
Complaints
- The flying fish is ordinary fried fish
- Average sides and waits when busy
- No beer, and you clear your own dishes
Summarized from the common views of bloggers, media and diners; not direct quotes.
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Location
台東縣蘭嶼鄉紅頭村20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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