Wangji Tea Shop's Cultural Tea Hall in Zhongshan is located on Zhongshan Road in Hualien City, and it can be said to be the Chunshuitang of Hualien people. Originally, there was another store called Mingxin, which ended its 12-year operation at the end of August this year. However, the Meilun store should be opening soon, so we can look forward to it.
Today, I enjoyed a special red tea and honey lemon green tea, totaling 271 NT dollars.
Special red tea:
In a large cup, the price is a memorable 121 NT dollars. Overall, the quality of the tea leaves and brewing method are quite good, and the astringency in the tea is not noticeable.
Honey lemon green tea:
The honey is quite rich, and the green tea is a standard lemon green tea. It's pleasantly sweet and sour, very delicious.
Since I was already full, I didn't have the chance to experience the dishes in the shop, which is a bit of a pity.
Overall, it is a very distinctive tea art hall. The decor in the store is filled with traditional Chinese aesthetics, and there is even a fish pond. If the date on the store's website is not mistaken, this tea shop has been local for over 30 years.
Although the prices are not very Hualien-like, they are perfectly normal for people from Taipei; it's definitely worth a try if you have the opportunity.
I recommend it to everyone.
This tea restaurant is a well-known scenic restaurant in Taitung, located on County Road 197, and is very easy to find. It is a place that friends from Taitung have been recommending for over a decade when suggesting attractions. Since the restaurant is situated on a ridge in the hills, it offers great views and is a popular spot for local Taitung residents to enjoy the night scenery or celebrate New Year's Eve.
Personally, whenever I visit a new place, I like to find a high spot to overlook the surrounding environment as a way to get to know the area better. As for the food, there is a wide variety of drinks to choose from, and there are also fried snacks available. However, in terms of quality, the main offerings are instant noodles and frozen foods. It's not exquisite and doesn't necessarily taste great, but at least it's a place where you can chat and enjoy the view while having a snack. Therefore, I wouldn't particularly recommend anything that you must eat or drink.
If it's your first time visiting Taitung, I highly recommend going up to check it out. The mountain roads can be a bit tricky to drive on, but the restaurant does have a parking lot available, making it a car-friendly place.
On a weekday night, I had dinner with friends at the Daan branch of Chun Shui Tang. There weren't many people, so the dining environment was quite comfortable; perhaps everyone had gone to Shin Kong Mitsukoshi instead 🤣.
The usual order at Chun Shui Tang consists of Kung Fu noodles paired with a drink and braised dishes. This time, we also ordered a pork rib rice set. The meat of the pork ribs was very tender, and the flavor was well-infused. The rice noodles were evenly cooked, giving the impression of eating a work of art, haha. If you're particularly hungry, I recommend giving it a try. Additionally, it comes with soup, so you could say it's a more upscale version of Taiwanese pork rib rice.
The items at this branch are basically similar to those at most other Chun Shui Tang locations, but you probably won’t have to wait in line, so friends who love Chun Shui Tang can disperse a bit!
📍Location: Banff, Canada
Visiting this teahouse situated at an altitude of 2135m took us nearly 2 hours. We started at 6:45 AM from Lake Louise while it was still dark, each holding a flashlight 🔦 and hiking up the trail. From darkness to daylight, we experienced changes in humidity and light in the forest, chatting and encouraging each other along the way, with an unwavering determination to reach the top.
The trail wasn't particularly difficult; it was a gradual ascent but required stamina and endurance. For us, who seldom hike for such a long time, it took some effort. Along the way, many experienced hikers who seemed to fly past us highlighted our anxiety about pacing. Weather in the mountains can change quickly, and during the two-hour journey, we faced rain and sleet, which was less idyllic than imagined. We finally reached the teahouse at 8:40 AM, and the feeling of achievement was beyond words.
Of course, since this is a food review, we must comment on the food. The teahouse features classic log cabin architecture, and there's a small mountain lake beside it called Lake Agnes, providing stunning views. While ordering from the server, it started raining again, and a rainbow 🌈 appeared over the lake. This is an experience no other restaurant can offer, unique to this place.
The four of us ordered:
Tuna Sandwich (CAD12)
A simple whole wheat sandwich stuffed with tuna. Although it was pure tuna without other mix-ins, the seasoning was decent, making it a plain yet delicious choice.
Homemade Hummus Sandwich (CAD12)
Whole wheat bread filled with chickpea hummus and pickles 🥒. The hummus was acceptable, but the pairing with pickles was an acquired taste; it tasted better without them.
Hot Chocolate with Marshmallows (CAD5.5)
The marshmallows were already melted into the hot chocolate when served. It was quite sweet, but went well when eaten alongside the sandwiches.
The food here is straightforward and not particularly outstanding, but perhaps because of the effort it took to get here, it tasted exceptionally good. Especially knowing that the fresh ingredients were brought up by the staff every morning on the same path we hiked, it makes one feel grateful regardless of what is served.
We left the teahouse at 9:15, by which time a long line had formed outside. Since there are no other shops in the area, it's recommended to hike up early. Finishing breakfast early leaves you time to explore other trails.
⚠️ Cash only, both USD and CAD are accepted.
⚠️ Apart from the sandwich wrapping paper and drink cups, any trash brought up must be taken down yourself, as even the garbage is painstakingly carried down the mountain by the staff!
The Dreamlike Geometric Bubble Tea Shop in Wufenpu, despite its name, is actually closer to the Houshanpi Station. Next door is Tai Guan Beef Noodle, which I also found to be quite good.
Today, I enjoyed the Licorice Pudding Tea and Honey Lemon Slush, totaling 380 TWD.
Licorice Pudding Tea:
The hot tea can be re-brewed, but an additional set of cups costs 60 TWD extra. The rich sweetness of licorice has a natural aftertaste, and the mucilage flavor of the pudding tea makes the hot drink slightly thick, creating a very soothing sensation for the throat.
Honey Lemon Slush:
It’s a very large cup, looking quite spectacular. Besides the wide straw for easy sipping, there’s also a small spoon for scooping up the slush. Honey and lemon are a perfect match, and the shop has balanced them quite well.
The shop has designated non-smoking and smoking areas, does not provide plain water, and the plastic cups for water are used as ashtrays and are not for drinking. The entire shop plays relaxed old-fashioned music, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of bubble tea shops from twenty years ago.
Overall, it’s a bubble tea shop where you can experience the charm of the post-1970 era. Besides drinks, there are also simple meals available, but we weren’t hungry that day. Perhaps we’ll have a chance to try them next time.
I recommend it to everyone.
Located near the Minquan West Road MRT station, Ten Ren's Tea always has quite a few people waiting in line around noon, so I tend to avoid that time.
The 913 Tea King at Ten Ren's has always been quite delicious. It tastes smooth without any astringency, but I do feel the price is a bit high; a large cup costs $70. Fortunately, they are currently running a promotion where the second cup is half price, and you can also get a take-out cup (they provide a small voucher for redemption), and there’s no expiration date. This is the perfect opportunity to buy one to enjoy 😊.
If you arrive a bit earlier while they are still preparing, you can see them brewing the tea. Being able to witness their production process live gives you a greater sense of reassurance while drinking.
Summer Tea House is located at the intersection of Section 1, Nangang Road and Zhongnan Street, near the Nangang Exhibition Center Station, right in front of the basement of the World Trade Center Hall 2. This is a place I always make a special trip to for tea drinks whenever I pass by Nangang.
Today, I enjoyed aged Tie Guan Yin and Dongding Oolong, totaling 100 TWD.
Aged Tie Guan Yin:
The tea aroma is very rich, and the tea color is deep, with a clearly noticeable charcoal roasting flavor. After drinking, the tea fragrance wafts through the nose, providing a satisfying aftertaste.
Dongding Oolong:
In contrast to the richness of Tie Guan Yin, it is relatively refreshing. The flavor is fragrant and sweet, with slight grain and floral fruit notes, very delicious.
I always order my drinks unsweetened and with little ice at Summer Tea House, fully trusting the quality of their tea. In fact, it has almost never disappointed me. (There are many disappointing chain stores, however.)
The shop has a small seating area for resting, styled like an old house. Although there is no air conditioning, it is still quite comfortable to relax in.
Overall, if I were to name my most satisfying beverage shop in Nangang, my only choice would be Summer Tea House. Unfortunately, due to the owner's plans, Summer Tea House will be closing in September. While the owner does not rule out returning after a sufficient break, that's still uncertain.
After hearing this news, I almost make a special trip there every day whenever I have the chance, hoping to deeply remember the beauty of this tea.
I strongly recommend it to everyone! Although it hasn't been long... 😭
Every time I come to Chunshuitang, I must order the Kung Fu noodles, Golden Crispy Chicken, signature braised tofu and rice blood cake, and most importantly, the bubble tea!
Golden Crispy Chicken: hot and crispy on the outside, tender chicken on the inside.
Signature braised tofu and rice blood cake: slightly spicy, with ginger strips and scallions, very aromatic and flavorful.
Kung Fu noodles: I really like the meat sauce and mushroom sauce; the noodles are very flavorful after mixing.
Bubble tea: a must-order, with less sugar it isn’t too sweet, the taste is just right.
It's really suitable for gathering and chatting with friends here; the atmosphere is great and makes you feel very comfortable!
📍Daan District, Taipei City (near Dadaocheng Commercial Circle)
A "Taiwan Tea" specialty store that embodies a modern aesthetic 🍵👩🏻🎨
This is my third visit to Wangtea Lab, and as someone who doesn't drink coffee much, the fact that this place "focuses solely on tea" is exactly what I love 🏹
The entire shop is a renovated old residence, very artsy and exquisite; the space on the second floor is quite comfortable and quiet, perfect for relaxing while having some tea in the afternoon.
The tea-making methods combine innovative and unique elements, incorporating nitrogen and carbonation, allowing for some very special tea varieties. The menu has a plethora of options, making it a tough choice 🫶🏻
Interestingly, this shop originates from "You Ji Tea," an old tea factory, and the century-old tea house is right next door. If you finish your drink at Wangtea Lab and want to buy some classic Taiwanese tea, you can simply walk next door 😆
🫖
Ordered items:
🫧 Xianhong Grass ($160):
This time I chose a draft item, attracted by the black tea base. It's a carbonated tea drink.
What’s special about this drink is it includes "Xian Grass." When ordering, the staff mentioned that it's just for aroma, but for me, the flavor of Xian Grass was a bit strong, somewhat overshadowing the tea base.
🍂 Golden Oolong (Hot $120):
Lightly fermented and deeply roasted, the tea has an amber color and a rich flavor with a slightly bitter aftertaste, representing traditional Taiwanese tea with a memorable flavor profile.
🍮 Hidden Special - Iron Goddess of Mercy Sichuan Pepper Pudding ($150):
The staff didn't specifically introduce the flavor when I ordered, but I was pleasantly surprised when the dish arrived!
Although the Sichuan pepper flavor isn't very pronounced, the predominant taste is still that of the tea, and overall, it's a very delicious tea pudding!
✏️ More introductions will be explained along with the pictures ~
🧋 Kaohsiung Zuoying ▫️ Shin Kong Mitsukoshi Zuoying Store
🧋 An Irreplaceable Classic Taste That Cannot Be Returned To
As the founding store of Taiwanese bubble tea,
Chun Shui Tang has nearly 40 years of history since its establishment in 1986.
(Originally written as "over 40 years," thanks for the correction in the comments.)
It is famous for its quality tea drinks and insistence on handmade production.
Each cup of tea is infused with the traditional art of brewing,
followed by hand-made chewy pearls,
creating the world-renowned Taiwanese gem—bubble milk tea,
bringing customers a unique and irreplaceable taste experience.✨
Last weekend, I had an appointment, so I went to the Shin Kong Mitsukoshi Zuoying Store.
Since there was a lively event at the department store that day,
the food court was crowded with participants and shoppers.
Worried about a long wait in line and wanting a drink,
I suddenly longed for Chun Shui Tang's classic bubble milk tea,
so I decided to visit the branch located at the sky bridge connecting to the Rainbow Market
to buy a cup and reminisce.❤️
When ordering, the staff informed me to wait for 20 minutes.
Although I hesitated a bit, I chose to wait.
The price at checkout seemed unexpectedly discounted,
with the large cup reduced from the original price of 170 NTD to 144 NTD.😳
Surprisingly, about 10 minutes later, the drink was ready.
This should have been a pleasant surprise,
but without a calling system,
it was slightly inconvenient to keep track of the time on my own.
Holding this cup of bubble milk tea🧋,
I looked forward to a sip that would bring back the beautiful flavors of my memories.
However, it seemed due to the lack of sugar,
the drink was missing a bit of the familiar sweetness.
Even though the pearls still had a chewy texture and the tea aroma was still rich,
this time, it couldn't reignite the passion in my taste buds.
Compared to other hand-shaken beverages on the market, it felt rather bland...
I can only say that Chun Shui Tang's bubble milk tea
used to be a classic in my heart,
but this experience was somewhat disappointing.
In the future, unless there’s an outing with friends or no other choice like this time,
I probably won’t return for this bubble milk tea at this price point.🥹