Xin Fa Ting

Review

Xin Fa Ting is at No. 1 Anping Street in Shilin Night Market. A 2017 report put it at about fifty years old, making it one of the market's signature ice shops. The first owner started with hand-shaved ice; in the 1980s the second generation developed a slow-melting snowflake ice, and in 1993 the current family took over, refusing to franchise. The shopfront, renovated in 1985, keeps its retro look, and a film shoot here brought it wider fame.

The signature is snowflake ice, fine and fluffy, melting on the tongue, in flavors such as milk, matcha, peanut, coffee, corn and red bean milk; matcha red bean is the favorite, and summer brings mango snowflake ice. The other classic is sweet bean ice drizzled with a house syrup and topped with red beans, fruit, candied fruit and peanuts. Toppings like red bean, taro and peanuts are cooked fresh every morning. The 2017 report lists sweet bean ice at NT$70 and coffee snowflake at NT$80, while a newer travel site gives about NT$100 to 150 for matcha red bean, so go by on-site prices.

Diners praise the fine texture, honest toppings and generous portions, and many middle-aged customers say they've been coming since their teens. Complaints include seasonal fruit ice that sometimes tastes of syrup rather than fresh fruit, mango ice being summer-only so winter visitors miss out, and waits for seats on busy weekends.

Hours vary by source: some say 3 p.m. to midnight daily, while others show 2 to 11 p.m. with Thursdays off, so check before going. There's plenty of seating in a spacious room, perfect for resting after the market. It's about five minutes' walk from MRT Jiantan Station.

It suits anyone craving Taiwanese shaved ice at the night market or wanting to share a nostalgic taste with older family. First-timers should try matcha red bean snowflake ice; in summer, mango is a must. For two or three people, share a large plate plus a bowl of sweet bean ice for the best value.