Xin Fa Ting Honey Bean Shaved Ice (Jianxing)

Review

Xin Fa Ting traces its roots to 1938, when the founder sold shaved ice from a pushcart before taking a stall in Taichung's First Market. The name was originally written with a different first character and was changed when the stall reopened after a market fire. For many older locals it was the treat after school or a movie. The Jianxing branch opened around 2002 and is run by a third-generation family member; since the original shop paused in 2021, this is one of the places the old recipe lives on, in a woody, design-minded room.

The signature bowl costs NT$70. Coarse hand-shaved ice with a crunchy bite covers eleven toppings: soybeans, mung beans, rice balls, taro balls, almond jelly, candied sweet potato, preserved plum, candied pineapple and seasonal fruit. The finishing splash of banana-essence syrup is the soul of it, an aroma rarely found at other ice shops. The beans are soft and the sweetness restrained. The red bean milk ice is heavy on beans, and the NT$95 fruit snow ice is creamier.

Most write-ups praise the generous toppings and fair price, and the media describe it as a flavor that sends older Taichung residents straight back in time. The banana syrup and almond scent divide opinion, though: some call it the essence, others never get used to it, and fans of fluffy snow ice may find hand-shaved ice too coarse.

Order at the counter and collect when your number is called; there are about 18 seats and a minimum spend for dine-in. Listed hours are 12:00 to 22:00, but most reviews date from 2020 to 2021, so hours and rules may have changed; check before you go. Sources do not mention parking.

Best for anyone craving old-school shaved ice or bringing older relatives for a nostalgic treat. First-timers should order the signature bowl; if you are unsure about banana syrup, share one and add a red bean milk ice.