Huayu Ice and Fruit Shop

Review

Huayu Ice and Fruit Shop is on Zhonghua Road in Ruisui Township, Hualien County, close to the town centre; its sign says ice-and-fruit shop, but it sells almost everything. CommonWealth's Smile Taiwan mentions it in two Yuli and Ruisui travel guides, describing a place that sells ice, noodles and Taiwanese-style steak, with a menu so varied that foreign cyclists stop in for meals.

According to the sources and diners, you can order traditional shaved ice and other frozen treats, a range of noodles and side dishes, and Taiwanese steak served on a sizzling iron plate. Reviewers describe the steak as simple in method yet spot-on in flavour, a nostalgic taste for many, while a plate of ice rounds off the meal nicely. The sources give no prices; diners describe small-town budget levels, so check the menu on site.

Fans see it as a rare place in little Ruisui where you can have a full meal and ice in one stop, and the steak-and-shaved-ice combination feels nostalgic, with overall standards above ordinary Taiwanese snack shops. Negative reviews say the noodles are ordinary and a bit pricey, and side dishes like pork scalp are tough; one visitor arrived to find the hours had changed, so high expectations may disappoint.

According to Google, it opens 11 a.m. to 1:40 p.m. and 5 to 7:30 p.m., closing on Thursdays and Sundays. The lunch window is short, so arrive early and double-check before going. It is on a town street near Ruisui Station, within walking distance, with roadside parking bays nearby. It is a traditional ice shop with simple surroundings and little decor.

It suits travellers arriving in Ruisui by train or cycling through the valley who want somewhere to eat a proper meal and have ice too. Two people could share a Taiwanese steak and a bowl of noodles, then split a plate of shaved ice afterwards. If you only want ice, avoiding meal peaks makes for a more relaxed visit.