Yuan Xing Yu Xiang Wu

Review

The flagship of Yuan Xing Yu Xiang Wu sits on Zhongshan Road beside the Fountain Roundabout, not far from Chiayi Station or the Wenhua Road Night Market, and it is one of the drink stands most often recommended to visitors. A Yam travel roundup says it has a queue nearly every day, and Supertaste names its signature drink the most popular. There is a second shop on Zhongzheng Road, but fans usually make a pilgrimage to the original.

The signature red diamond grapefruit green tea blends fresh grapefruit juice with green tea and is full of pulp, tasting sweet-sour and refreshing rather than bitter. You can add a salted plum for extra depth. Supertaste lists it at NT$65 a cup, with adjustable sweetness, and suggests at least a little sugar to bring out the fruit. Other popular choices include passion fruit orange tea and pudding black tea.

Fans praise the fresh juice, generous pulp and how thirst-quenching it is in summer, and many say it is a must-buy in Chiayi. Complaints are mostly about long queues and a tiny shop, with waits of ten minutes or more at peak times; some find staff abrupt when busy, or feel it is good but not worth a long wait. The plum flavour is strong, so skip it if you are unsure.

Reports give hours of roughly 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday to Friday, until 9 p.m. on Saturday and 8:30 p.m. on Sunday, closed Mondays and Tuesdays. To save time, phone your order ahead and pick it up, or come right at opening. The roundabout traffic makes stopping outside difficult, so walk or use a paid car park nearby.

Perfect as a cooling drink while exploring the Fountain Roundabout or the Wenhua Road Night Market, and for fruit-tea fans who dislike things too sweet. First-timers should order the grapefruit green tea with little sugar and less ice, adding a plum if curious; two people can also try the passion fruit orange to compare.